Scripture Reading
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
— Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV)
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
— Ephesians 4:31–32 (NIV)
These verses remind us that forgiveness isn’t about excusing what someone said or did; it’s about freeing your soul. When we forgive, we release the heavy chains that keep us tied to our pain. Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was right; it means you are choosing not to let it control your life any longer.
Introspection
In the past, I’ve written about the importance of forgiving ourselves.
In my article, Forgiving Ourselves: Embracing Who We Are Today, I shared that forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending something didn’t matter. It means releasing the need to keep punishing yourself for something you can’t change.
And in Forgiving Ourselves: Walking in God’s Grace, I remind readers that once you’ve repented and asked God for forgiveness, He has already washed you clean. The Creator of the universe has forgiven you, so why hold yourself hostage any longer?
In my book, Transformation: Metamorphosis of the Soul – Finding Christ’s Love and Faith, I share a personal story of being deeply hurt by someone’s words. What they said pierced my heart and stayed with me for months. I relived their words daily, morning to night, allowing them to define how I saw myself. I became trapped in bitterness and sorrow, replaying the moment over and over until it consumed my peace.
Then one day, God intervened. Through an unexpected turn of events, He brought truth to light. The lies spoken about me were exposed, not by my hand, but through His divine orchestration. Even though I never received an apology, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. In that moment, God whispered to my heart, “Forgive.”
When I did, the weight lifted. My tears dried. My spirit felt free.
That’s what God’s forgiveness does for us, too. No matter how far we’ve fallen or how deeply we’ve been wounded, when we turn to Him and ask for forgiveness, He cleanses and restores us. His love refreshes us, healing the places that once felt broken beyond repair.
Forgiveness is freedom. When you forgive, you make space for peace, joy, and new beginnings to flourish in your life.
Application
Take a quiet moment today to write down one hurt you’re ready to hand over to God. Pray over it, surrender it fully, and let Him heal your heart.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing me the beauty and freedom that come through forgiveness. I release every hurt, every betrayal, and every wound that has weighed me down. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me, with grace, compassion, and love. Teach me to trust in Your justice and to find peace in Your promises. Heal the broken places in my heart and fill me with the joy that only Your Spirit can bring. Today, I choose to walk in freedom. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Voice of Hope by Marlene 