Marriage worksheet 005

6 Six Steps to Help a Couple Improve Marriage Satisfaction © 2016 Connected Marriage Step 5: Process Resentment Resentment can build up over time. At the core of resentment is not being able to forgive. We hold the hurts and pains internally and then they suddenly pop up again and impact our current relationship. Sometimes, resentment and unforgiveness build up over time, but sometimes there are big shocks – like finding out about an affair. As a mentor, you can be effective in helping a couple to heal by allowing them to address their anger and grieve. Forgiveness is a process. It looks like this: If people don’t deal with their pain, they risk being stuck either in bitterness and resentment or shutting down emotionally which leads to depression. As mentors, it is important to help people to process this pain. You can help them to express their anger in a constructive way that enables them to process their emotions and be able to heal from their past hurts. This may take some time. Questions to ask:  How do you react when someone harms you?  How are you processing the hurt, anger or resentment?  How is it impacting your life or relationship?  What would be the impact to your life if you could let go of the hurt?  In what ways do you see past offenses impacting your interpretations of events with your partner?

Thanks,

Monique Velasquez