Keys to a better marriage: letting bitterness go:

Let your bitterness go. Don’t hold on to it. Don’t allow it to eat you up until it turns to anger or hatred. Bitterness can show up in many ways in your relationship, it can come from past unresolved hurts and pains, unfilled expectations, your spouse hurting you with unkind words or actions and of course sins.

Bitterness grows when we fail to forgive and let go. Jesus asked us to always be in the forgiveness mode when He told the disciples to forgive 70 times 7 Mat 18:22. I know what you might be thinking, we all know we should forgive but its not easy. Jesus also said, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31).

Forgiveness is very important in moving forward in any relationship. So the question is how do we do that. First if possible you need to talk to your mate about the problems. Do you know sometimes you mate may not even be aware they are hurting you. You need to be willing to look inwardly. Can you pray and seek God on what is causing this bitterness, what is at the root. Once you know and understand the reasons you can repent and pray the word over it and allow the Holy Spirit to begin dealing with it.

Of course you must learn to forgive your spouse. You will not always feel it at first. But work at it. Feeling follow confession. Begin watering the relationship with kind words and strive to find ways to build one another up. Most of all begin praying for one another and pray together to soften one another hearts and build your relationship with the Father. Strive to become better communicators to help stop hurting one another. If nothing else be willing to humble yourself and seek counseling.

I believe every relationship can be saved if each spouse is willing to yield to God’s leading and learn to forgive one another. This is not an easy key but it has great potential for freedom and liberty. Learn to let go bitterness and learn to forgive. When you do this, you will live a life of peace.

James Ogunyemi