Devotion 8 – Be Willing to Apologize

I once had a secretary who said her father never apologized to anyone even when he knew he was wrong. He once went six weeks without speaking to her mother until she apologized for what was clearly his fault.  When an individual will never apologize and admit they are sorry for their actions there is one word to describe this person, “Sorry”.  This type of spouse will eventually become alienated from everyone who ever loved him or her and in all likelihood end up living alone in the winter years of life. 

The mature spouse will accept responsibility for the hurt and the healing of the relationship. The road of marriage will not always be well paved and straight. There will be curves, detours, footpaths, mountain passes, trails, and tunnels which must be negotiated.  It is so easy in our society to just forsake one journey for another; one spouse for another. The destination is well worth the effort and the directions found in God’s word will never lead you astray. A sincere apology will lead to redemption which will bring about restoration. Better is a marriage restored than one destroyed. 

 After reading together Isaiah 5:21, and James 4:10, ask yourself is there anything for which you need to apologize to your spouse or perhaps your children?  If healing needs to take place in your marriage, this is the place to start.

This series of devotions relating to marriage are taken from, 44 Ways to Strengthen Your Marriage, by evangelist and pastor Dr. Jerry Drace.  If you are interested in obtaining a copy, or copies of the entire bookyou may contact Dr. Drace at: jdeainc@juno.com.