Trust and Forgiveness: Pillars of a Christ-Centered Relationship | Crosswalk PLUS Marriage Devotional
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Trust is the cornerstone of any strong relationship, especially within a marriage rooted in Christ. When trust is broken, the entire foundation of a marriage can feel like it’s crumbling. Rebuilding that trust isn’t easy—but with God’s help, it is possible.
I remember a time when my husband and I were serving in ministry together. We found ourselves in conflict over a leadership issue, and during that time, I learned something that deeply wounded me: my husband had confided private, sensitive information about me to someone in our church—someone I didn’t know well or trust. That individual later passed the information along to leadership, creating behind-the-scenes drama and strife. I felt betrayed—not only by them but also by my own spouse... Read complete content click link below
That moment shook the trust between us. I began questioning not only his decisions but even his spiritual discernment. Was he truly hearing from God—or were his actions driven by his own motives? I struggled to feel safe sharing anything with him again.
Trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild. A marriage without trust can’t thrive—it begins to wither under the weight of suspicion, doubt, and hurt. But the journey back is not impossible. It requires two essential ingredients: forgiveness and genuine repentance.
I brought my pain before God in prayer. I cried. I questioned. And slowly, I began walking through the long, often painful process of forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn’t always happen instantly. Sometimes, it takes multiple attempts, heart-deep honesty, and God’s grace to truly let go of an offense.
But forgiveness alone isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of healing. Once forgiveness is extended, the door opens to rebuild trust. When a spouse shows true sorrow for their actions and a desire to make things right, the other must respond with grace, not resentment. Holding past mistakes over someone’s head does more harm than good and can stall healing for years.
All of us need forgiveness. We all fall short. Whether it’s a careless word or a significant failure, our actions can harm those we love. The Bible reminds us to bear with each other, and that command doesn’t come with conditions. We are called to forgive just as Christ forgives us—fully and unconditionally.
If you’re struggling in your marriage right now, take a moment for honest reflection. Is trust broken between you and your spouse? What caused it? Has unforgiveness taken root? If so, start the journey of healing. Give yourself space to process and seek God through it.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting. It means releasing someone from the debt of their mistake. And if they fall again, but show genuine repentance, we’re called to forgive again. That’s how trust, over time, can be rebuilt.
Also, ask yourself: have you been judging your spouse from a place of pride? Do you feel morally superior because you didn’t make the same mistake? Scripture tells us all sin is equal in God’s eyes—and Christ’s sacrifice covers them all. When we understand the depth of our own need for grace, we become more willing to extend it to others.
A Prayer for Healing:
Lord, help us to forgive our spouses with the same grace You extend to us. Give us the strength and patience to rebuild trust where it’s been broken. Let love and trust become the firm foundation of our marriages once more. Amen.
Rebuilding Trust in a Christ-Centered Marriage
[By Michelle S Lazurek]
source : https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-plus-marriage-devotional/why-trust-is-the-foundation-of-a-christ-centered-marriage-crosswalk-plus-marriage-devotional.html
