When we love someone, we will endure injustices, slights, inattentiveness, and all the other human flaws. We may be upset, but we give the other person some grace, especially if those behaviors were not meant with malice. Yet, when perhaps there is some malicious intent, we speak up regarding our displeasure, but then it is for our love of God, that we bear the momentary pain and seek to forgive.
For whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because of consciousness of God, that is a grace. 1 Peter 2:19
Without a dependence on God, how much of our response might be rage, flaming arrows, and words and behaviors that we can’t take back? Let us first work on our own imperfections so that we might increase in virtue and speak with kindness. Strive to build a greater reliance on the Lord, that you may learn temperance, fortitude, and perseverance.
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse one breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9
Lord, teach us your ways! Since there is ample opportunity within marriages to offend you in both sins of commission and omission, help us to first gain custody of our tongues! In our daily prayers, infuse us with your love, that it may overflow to our spouse in word and deed. May we be quick to forgive and forget offenses, as we too hope for the same. Keep us from focusing on our spouses flaws, but rather understanding and reforming our own. Guide us in the path to perfection, for only in You can we even gain sight of it! Jesus, we trust in You!
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Keep praying for marriages new and old! None are immune from the snares of the Evil One!
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Build the army of prayer warriors and pass it on!
