Don't keep a record in your head of how many times you have been hurt or remind your spouse, loved one, or friend of what they did wrong. That is not showing true love, especially if the other person has already apologized. Jesus told us to forgive people 490 times, in other words, all the time. He told us to go the extra mile even with our enemies. How much more should we do with the ones we love?

Be the first to say you are sorry when you need to. If someone has had a hard day, don't nag but show kindness and be patient. Show them that you care about them. Put their needs before your own. Take the time to listen to their concerns and spend time doing what they like to do. Even if it's not your idea of fun, go out of your way. 

Jesus walked many miles taking care of people's needs and didn't complain. The only time he spent alone was when he was with God his Father. And we need to have the same servant's heart if we want to keep our marriages, families, and friendships intact. Let us be happy when others succeed and commiserate with them in their losses. 

Don't let jealousy or pride come between you and cause a rift. Just because others express their annoyance at once doesn't mean you have to do likewise. A wise person is slow to anger, and it is to one’s credit to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11). Don’t bottle up your anger and let Satan get a foothold (Ephesians 4:26-27). Remember, Jesus asked God to forgive his enemies while he was still on the cross! He left a powerful example for us to follow. Replace that finger-pointing with kindness and it will go a long way.

Querido Padre Celestial,

I confess that I am often tempted to keep a record of wrongs, and I sometimes give in to this temptation. Lord God, I trust that You remove my sins as far as the East is from the West, so I ask for the miracle of repentance so that I can lose offenses against me in the sea of forgetfulness. Thank You for Your precious promises and wonderful provision in Jesus. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Today’s application could suggest that you recall an offense to let it go. Let’s not! Today, let us practice not remembering offenses but instead, practice praising God because He does not hold our offenses against us.