Spring seems to be just around the corner. Last weekend, here in Colorado Springs we were in the ’60s and the birds were singing their songs to announce that Winter’s hold is coming to an end and the new birth of Spring is nearly upon us.

Alas, in Colorado Springs that is only partly true. Here, we experience 12 seasons:

Winter
Fools Spring (We are here)
2nd Winter
Spring of Deception
3rd Winter
Road Construction
Actual Spring
Summer
Fire
False Fall
2nd Summer
Actual Fall

Regardless, you can smell the air changing and some plants are already starting to peak through the soil in their optimistic ascent to feel the warmth of the sun. For many people, Spring brings with it optimism and anticipation of better things to come—better weather, better roads, and a better outlook.

Perhaps now would also be a good time to take a look at your marriage with renewed optimism and anticipation. Maybe you’ve resigned yourself to settle for a marriage that’s OK, but not all that great. Maybe you are weary from the seemingly endless battles that sap your strength physically and emotionally. Maybe you have lost all hope for your marriage becoming a marriage of unity, trust, and understanding. Or maybe you feel you have a good marriage but deep down you know it could be so much better. Maybe you’re thinking, what could possibly bring renewed optimism and anticipation to my marriage?

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers us fresh starts and new beginnings”

—PAUL TRIPP

The central message of the Gospel is that we who have deliberately sinned and rebelled against our creator, are freely offered a fresh start and new beginning by the blood of Jesus who willingly gave up his life for us by dying a horrible death on the cross. Jesus took our place. We are the ones who deserved to die, but God loves us so much that he gave Jesus, his only son to die in our place.

But the power of the Gospel is not for just a one-time event. No matter how many times we stumble or rebel or make selfish choices, God’s grace gives us a fresh start. His mercies are new every morning. As we confess our sins to God and each other, He is faithful to forgive us of our sins. Our God is full of patience and abundant grace. He forgives us again and again not because we’re deserving, but because he loves us. He loves YOU and ME.

I don’t know where you are in your marriage relationship. I don’t know what you’ve done or experienced, but God does. I know this for sure: you can have a fresh start today. There’s an enemy that wants you to believe you’re stuck where you are and there’s no hope for change. That is a lie. I’ll say that again, that is a lie! Don’t give in to despair or hopelessness. Ask God to renew your mind and your heart to become more like Him. We renew our minds by reading, believing, and obeying God’s Word. We renew our hearts in cooperation with the Holy Spirit when we receive God’s grace and let go of past offenses and hurts—completely forgiving our spouse and others who have hurt us. As we have been forgiven much, we freely forgive others. If we are the recipient of amazing grace, mercy, and forgiveness, we need to offer that same grace, mercy, and forgiveness to others—especially our spouse.

No one gives grace to another better than the one who has experienced—and is aware of—God’s daily grace in their own lives. Meditate daily on the grace you’ve been given and the goodness and faithfulness of God in your life. The Gospel offers us fresh starts and new beginnings. Why not make a fresh start in your marriage and begin a new chapter of confessional, forgiving, grace-filled, intimate relationship with your spouse today?

Sometimes we need a bit of help to overcome past hurts and change our hurtful patterns of communication. If you feel you have tried on your own and can’t seem to make progress, reach out for help. Get together with a marriage mentor couple or licensed counselor. Your marriage doesn’t have to stay the way it is now. Don’t settle for less than God’s best for you.