Every relationship will experience negative interactions, even if they aren’t intended.
Sometimes our pride steps in and tells us it’s best to put up walls, make someone suffer, or avoid talking about it all together.
This can be dangerous for the relationship. Dr. Gottman found that it’s best to address and MEND things right away. Apologize, and come to a place of healing, together.
An exception to this, would be if someone is really upset (emotionally “flooded”); they may need some time and space to calm down. And then they are more ready to come back together to resolve everything.
This takes humility and charity. It often takes more than we have on our own. We need the Lord’s power in our relationships to help us completely forgive and heal.
This is one reason why the habit of praying as a couple every night can literally save a marriage. If you’ve committed to pray each night, you’ll still come together, even if a negative interaction isn’t fully repaired and even if you don’t feel like praying or forgiving. On a night like this, it might even be helpful to offer personal prayers first, and then couple prayer.
Through prayer, the Lord sends feelings of forgiveness and love, and it is much easier to resolve and repair any negative interactions.
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