Keepin' Love Alive: How Easter can help

For couples who are aiming to keep their love alive, Easter can be just as important of a time. With it comes a sense of renewal and hope — a time for forgiveness and new beginnings. And anybody who has been married for more than a day has made enough mistakes that we all need some forgiveness and a chance at a new beginning.

One of the central themes of Easter is forgiveness — the act of letting go of resentment and extending grace to those who have wronged us. In the context of marriage, forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing wounds from the past and restoring harmony.

With time and effort we are more able to let go of resentment and extend grace towards our non-perfect partner. While never easy, this process is a crucial key to long term happiness, both individually and as a couple.

The other plan is instead to hold on to anger and resentment, but this erodes the foundation of trust and intimacy in a relationship. And can happiness really be found if there is no trust and intimacy?

Easter also serves as a reminder of the power of hope. In the face of challenges and setbacks, couples can draw strength from the Easter message of hope, knowing that they can have the resilience and determination to overcome obstacles together.

Of course, no life is immune to difficulties. Difficult times are a natural part of life, whether it’s sickness, loss, financial challenges, or physical challenges. Stick around long enough and you’ll get your turn to experience a trying time or two.

Easter doesn’t magically erase these challenges of life, of course. But it does offer a chance to approach these challenges with a renewed sense of hope and commitment — to confront them head-on and emerge stronger on the other side, together as a couple.

Couples who maintain a positive outlook and a sense of hopefulness are better equipped to navigate these ups and downs of life. Known as “we-ness,” couples who approach life’s difficulties together form a bond that helps solidify their friendship and marriage. As they learn they can depend on one another “through thick and thin,” they develop a connection that can only be formed and forged as they endure the fires of life together.

So as we approach Easter and you enjoy the bunnies and the chocolates, remember that it can also be a powerful catalyst for positive change in your marriage — a time to extend forgiveness and again rededicate yourselves to being hopeful and enduring the bumps of life together.

For more tips on keeping your love alive, visit www.panhandlecouples.com.

Remember, couple relationships are easier than you think, but harder than you act.