Previously, we discussed how the State of Marriage can Affect the State of Health. There, we focused more on physical ailments and how a close relationship can help advance the healing process after injury, illness, or even surgery. Here, we’ll focus on hearts and minds.
While love is not a magic potion, it can sometimes act as a tonic. Knowing that someone else truly loves us can help us get through some of the most trying times. For example, grief won’t go away, but it may be more bearable with someone who truly loves you by your side. A hand to hold, or an arm around you can be very reassuring.
The unconditional love of another person can also help heal past hurts and other issues that have damaged our self-esteem throughout our lives. It’s not a magic cure, because we really have to heal ourselves, but it does aid in that process by helping us see that we are worthy of the love of another person.
When your spouse genuinely loves you despite your flaws, it may also encourage you to forgive yourself. Sometimes, that’s one of the biggest obstacles we face. Even after we have learned how to forgive others and how move on instead of holding grudges, we may find it difficult to forgive our own mistakes or other things we have done or said that we are not exactly proud to admit.
When someone who loves you can easily look past your faults and recognize what a good person you are, it may make it easier for you to learn to forgive yourself as well as to look for the good in others. Everyone makes mistakes. Learn to forgive yourself and others. Learn from the mistake and try to improve. Seek forgiveness from those you have hurt. Then, move on.
Remember too that your love has the same healing properties. Be generous with your love in the face of problems. It can make a big difference in the way you feel about yourself and your spouse and it can also make an impact on the way your spouse feels about him or herself.