Ten essential ingredients in EVERY healthy relationship

7. Swallow your pride.

Pride is the soil where most relational dysfunction takes root. Be humble enough to admit fault, seek forgiveness and give up the need to control or manipulate. You can’t be “in charge” and “in love” at the same time.

8. Forgiveness can be given, but trust must be earned.

There’s a huge difference between forgiveness and trust. Forgiveness is a free gift (which is “Grace”), but trust must be earned back slowly over time (which is “Wisdom”). If trust has been broken, work hard to rebuild it, because it’s the foundation for intimacy.

#9 shows the difference between a “fairy tale” and real love…