This means truly forgiving and doing your best to forget anything your spouse may have done to hurt you. Easier said than done especially if you have had to endure physical, emotional, sexual or verbal abuse or even marital unfaithfulness but it is possible. I have seen many instances where couples have overcome such obstacles and have been able to forgive and move on with their lives, in most cases those obstacles actually lead to a stronger relationship between the couple.

It will take the spouse that has messed up to really show that they are truly sorry for the pain and hurt they’ve caused. Even if your spouse hurts you and shows no remorse, it’s still advisable to forgive and forget – so that you can personally heal from the pain and not carry around the bitterness which can become toxic and even begin to damage your physical health and sanity.

However where your spouse has repented and apologised to you and is making a serious effort to change and rectify their wrong doings then please find it within yourself to forgive them and don’t hold their past mistakes against them, don’t allow past mistakes to affect your future. Don’t let their mistakes hold both you and your spouse captive. Love keeps no record of wrongs.

I especially want people enduring abusive relationships either as the victim or the inflicter to make a note of this point. Your responsibility is to protect your spouse. Your goal should be to create a safe, fun and happy atmosphere for your spouse in your home. Your spouse should feel that the safest place for them in this world is in your arms.