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Two Essential Words - Part 3: Forgiveness That Changes a Marriage · Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel

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  Have you ever struggled to honestly declare forgiveness when your marriage is
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  tested by betrayal or hurt?
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  In just a moment, we'll explore how genuine forgiveness goes beyond words and
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  transforms our hearts, especially in the face of deep wounds.
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  Welcome to Couples Journey blog series podcast.
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  We're now in part three of the series, Two Essential Words.
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  Today, Rey will share his reflections as he uncover the vital steps toward authentic
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  forgiveness and the ongoing process of healing through Christ's grace. Here's Rey.
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  Honestly, it's really difficult to declare forgiveness to someone who has wronged
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  us, hurt us, or betrayed us.
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  In Love Talk by Dr. Les and Leslie Parrott, they wrote, Honesty and forgiveness
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  are essential to a successful partnership.
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  Nobody enters marriage without desiring a successful and fulfilling relationship.
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  But today's marriage faces many critical temptations that challenge honesty and forgiveness.
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  From a small thing like mishandling responsibilities to bigger issues like infidelity.
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  So, where do we position forgiveness when our marriage is being tested by honesty?
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  My wife Annie and I have our own share of moments where forgiveness was not
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  properly processed or even recognized.
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  The bigger mistakes we made was not realizing how our past experience shaped
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  the way we perceive forgiveness.
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  God humbled us and softened our hearts, leading us to a genuine realization
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  of how desperately we need a Savior in this area.
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  In our book, Couple's Journey, Restore, Relearn, and Rejoice,
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  we start this chapter one, genuine realization.
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  It's in this chapter that we saw clearly how much we need salvation from old
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  patterns of unforgiveness.
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  But recognizing the need is only part of the journey.
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  We also need an ongoing guidance to grow.
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  Only Jesus Christ truly saves us. and the gift of the Holy Spirit help us and
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  guide us as we overcome temptation to fall back into old, constructive patterns.
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  It's not an easy process, but God's faithfulness allows us to see progress.
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  We've experienced better communication
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  and a new approach of relearning how to forgive step by step.
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  A common mistake is thinking that simply declaring forgiveness is enough,
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  but often it can bypass the real work,
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  addressing and resolving the issue that sparked the conflict in the first place.
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  Jesus commanded us to make disciples,
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  a continuous process of growth and transformation into His likeness.
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  Sometimes, circumstances come into our lives to reveal what's hidden in our heart.
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  Old wounds or deep-seated issue we weren't even aware of.
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  Declaring forgiveness is just the first step, a sign of Jesus' authority in
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  us. It's part of the ongoing process of submission to His command and His work in our heart.
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  Let's not take forgiveness lightly,
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  because it's the initial step towards transformation God's intent for us.
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  Remember, Jesus demonstrated this on the cross.
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  He forgave despite His own suffering, betrayal, and pain.
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  As I commit myself to loving God with all my heart, especially during difficult
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  moments of relearning forgiveness with my wife, I find myself daily surrendering my pain.
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  I die to myself each day, trusting that God's forgiveness for me empowers me to forgive Annie.
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  Particularly when frustrations rise because of her repeated behavior that triggered conflict.
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  This commitment extends beyond marriage into my other relationships too.
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  Honestly, it's easier to talk about than to actually do.
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  But I praise and thank God for His amazing grace, mercy, and love that gives
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  me the strength every step of the way.
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  Without the power of the Holy Spirit, I know I'd easily return to old ways and
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  live without considering Annie's feelings or the needs of others.
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  It truly is about surrendering our lives to God.
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  We can only begin to live that surrendered life when we genuinely accept Jesus
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  Christ as our Lord and Savior.
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  Before we close, we want to invite you to engage with us and support the Couples
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  Journey blog series podcast. By following this channel, leaving comments,
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  and sharing episodes with your family and friends.
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  You're helping us in our mission to transform marriages today.
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  Your support encourages more couples to seek God's guidance and grow stronger together.
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  Learn more about this movement on the website www.couplesjourney.org.
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  Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can make a difference.
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  Here's the final part of today's episode.
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  As Rey reminds us, forgiveness is not just a one-time declaration,
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  but a continuous journey of
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  surrender and transformation, powered by God's grace and the Holy Spirit.
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  We encourage you to reflect on your own journey of forgiveness today.
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  Stay tuned tomorrow, as Annie will share her reflections for this series.
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  Together, let's go deeper and
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  relearn on how Jesus leads us through the process of healing and renewal.
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  Thank you for listening, and may the Lord strengthen your path toward true reconciliation.