Forgiveness isn’t about excusing what happened; it’s about freeing your soul to live in God’s peace.
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.
When you have repented and asked God for forgiveness, He has already forgiven you. If the Creator of the universe has washed you clean, who are you to keep punishing yourself?
In the above-mentioned post, I share how we should not beat ourselves up because of our past decisions and behaviors. In today’s post, I want to include the same message; however, I want to back it up with sound biblical references.
Friends, as most of us are aware, one of the greatest challenges we face in life is forgiving ourselves. Our past mistakes can feel like chains, holding us back from peace and joy. To make matters harder, some people continue to remind us of who we used to be. They keep pointing to our old failures instead of recognizing the new life God is building within us.
But here’s the truth: in Christ, we are not defined by who we were yesterday; We are renewed, redeemed, and restored today.
God Has Already Forgiven You
The Bible tells us in 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
When you have repented and asked God for forgiveness, He has already forgiven you. If the Creator of the universe has washed you clean, who are you to keep punishing yourself? Carrying guilt that God has already lifted is like trying to wear chains He has broken.
Letting Go of the Old Self
Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Your past is not your prison. Your mistakes do not have the final word. Through Christ, you have been given a new identity. If others cannot see your growth, it does not erase the transformation God has done in you.
Renewing Your Mind
Forgiving ourselves means we stop replaying old regrets and start focusing on the grace of God at work in us now. Romans 12:2 encourages us:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Your mind will try to drag you back to the past, but God calls you to live in the freedom of today. That renewal allows you to see yourself the way He sees you, loved, forgiven, and full of purpose.
Walking in Newness of Life
Every sunrise is a reminder of God’s mercy. Lamentations 3:22-23 says:
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
That means each day is a fresh start. Yesterday’s mistakes don’t define today’s opportunities.
So stop beating yourself up. Stop agreeing with the voices that only remember who you used to be. God has already declared you free.
You are forgiven. You are renewed. You are a new creation in Christ.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing what happened or pretending it didn’t matter. It means choosing not to keep punishing yourself for something you cannot change.
One of the hardest things we face in life is learning to forgive ourselves. Mistakes, regrets, and wrong turns are part of every human journey, yet many of us struggle with letting go of our past. Sometimes, it feels even harder because people around us keep reminding us of who we used to be. They may only see the version of us who made those mistakes, not the person we’ve worked hard to become.
But here’s the truth: who you are now matters far more than who you were then.
The Weight of the Past
We all have moments we wish we could erase. Words we wish we hadn’t spoken. Decisions we wish we hadn’t made. For some, those memories replay in our minds like a never-ending film. Add to that the voices of people who refuse to let us move forward, and it can feel impossible to break free from the weight of yesterday.
But holding on to the past doesn’t change it. All it does is rob us of peace in the present.
Shifting the Perspective
The real question isn’t, “What mistakes did I make?” The real question is, “Who have I become because of them?” Every wrong step teaches us something. Every stumble strengthens us. Every regret sharpens our awareness. Growth often comes from the very things we wish had never happened.
If others can’t see your growth, that’s their limitation, not yours. You are not obligated to remain chained to the version of yourself that no longer exists.
Letting Go of Self-Blame
Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing what happened or pretending it didn’t matter. It means choosing not to keep punishing yourself for something you cannot change.
Think about it this way:
Would you hold someone else’s worst day against them forever?
Would you deny someone else the chance to grow, heal, and change?
If not, then why deny yourself that same grace?
Walking Forward in Freedom
Every sunrise brings a chance to live differently, to make better choices, and to create a story that reflects the best of who you are today. Don’t let the echoes of your past drown out the voice of your present.
So stop beating yourself up. Stop rehearsing the old stories. Stop agreeing with people who only want to define you by yesterday’s chapters.
There are some people who leave a mark on your heart that time cannot erase. For me, that person was my mother.
While she’s no longer with us, the wisdom she passed on continues to guide me, and it has the power to guide others as well. Her lessons weren’t grand lectures or complicated philosophies. They were simple, deeply rooted truths that touched every part of life.
Here are the three life lessons my mom taught me, lessons built on love, forgiveness, and grace.
Lesson 1: Love Without Limits
My mother was the very definition of love in motion.
When you looked at her, you saw love. When you talked with her, you heard love. And when she said, “I love you,” it wasn’t just words; it was a feeling that wrapped around you like music for the soul.
She believed that love should be unconditional and freely given.
“Love is love,” she’d say. “If you’re not loving with your whole heart, without expecting anything in return, then you’re not really loving.”
She took her cue from Scripture and lived these words daily:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:34–35 (NIV)
Her life was a living example of Jesus’ most excellent command.
Lesson 2: Forgive as an Act of Love
To my mother, forgiveness wasn’t a sign of weakness; it was a strength born from love.
She often told me:
“When you love, you forgive. And when you forgive, you love.”
Forgiveness was woven into everything she did. She understood that no one is perfect, and that to love people genuinely, you have to be willing to let go of their wrongs.
She reminded me of this truth often:
“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)
Her grace was quiet but powerful. And because of her, I strive to walk in forgiveness every day.
Lesson 3: Judge Less, Love More
“Don’t waste time judging others,” Mom would say.
“Focus on your own walk. You’re not perfect either.”
She taught me to be self-reflective rather than critical. And whenever I felt justified in calling someone out, she would gently nudge me back to humility with her favorite reminder:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” — Matthew 7:1 (NIV)
And then, she’d follow it with:
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:5 (NIV)
Mom always emphasized personal accountability over finger-pointing.
“Unless you’re perfect,” she’d say, “You have no business throwing stones.”
“…Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” — John 8:7 (NIV)
Her words shaped my heart and the way I treat others.
A Legacy of Love That Lives On
I miss my mother more than words can say. But I am so grateful for the legacy she left behind.
Her lessons were never forced; they were lived. And they continue to inspire me to love more deeply, forgive more quickly, and judge less.
If there’s one thing my mother would want you to remember, it’s this:
Everything, absolutely everything, comes back to love.
What life lessons did your mother or mentor teach you?
Share them in the comments below. I’d love to hear your stories.
If this message touched you, please feel free to share it with someone who needs a little light today.
Grace yourself with the love of God and he will fight your battles for you.
Recently, I had the opportunity to practice forgiveness.
Friends, typically, forgiveness is not a difficult thing for me to do. Honestly, I see forgiveness as a way to get on with my life and let the other person get on with their life.
Let me share a recent moment when I was able to practice forgiveness by allowing God to work in my life, to fight a battle on my behalf. Also, let me first say that I will share this story in a way that protects the person who is not here to defend herself. Giving to that endeavor, I will only share a small portion of the total event.
In a recent encounter with a new woman in my sphere, this woman characterized me to be someone I am definitely not. We were discussing a business matter, and because she disagreed with the information I supplied, she called me a liar! She said a few other things not worth mentioning, and, as if I were a leper, she requested that I stay as far away from her as possible. I told her I was hurt by what she was saying, but it didn’t matter to her. Of course, after that I complied with her wish to stay far away from her. To protect myself from further abuse, I blocked her number from my phone and blocked her from my social media sites. I did not really care to hear from or be around someone with that kind of demeanor. I am reminded of the time Jesus was persecuted. In Luke 23:34 (NIV), we read,
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:34 (NIV)
People can be so heartless. Evil abounds, but the Lord says He will fight our battles. And, I had to remember quickly that the Lord rescues His people from evil attacks. 2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV) reminds me of that.
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV)
Evidence of the Lord’s word in 2 Timothy 4:28 came in the form of a gentleman who, knowing nothing about what was going on between the woman and me, was circumstantially placed in front of the woman. I see this gentleman as someone who was put in place to allow the woman to know that I was not lying after all. And, without provocation, and in a very organic conversation, the gentleman said to the woman, almost word-for-word, everything I had previously said to her. The gentleman’s words were validation that I was telling the truth. I learned of the gentleman’s involvement because the Lord made sure someone else was on the scene to witness and report back to me what had happened. The witness told me that after the gentleman said all that he said, the woman appeared to be in shock and at a loss for words. We don’t know what was on the woman’s mind, but the witness said it was as if she had received an epiphany of some sort.
Still, I have received no apology from the woman. Still, I must forgive the woman and pray that her life is filled with love and grace. Hanging on to what Jesus said, she knows not what she is doing.
Grace Yourself
By “Grace Yourself,” I mean align yourself with the Lord’s power. Adorn yourself with His Grace. His mighty angels are set aside for your protection. Yes, evil abounds, but we must remember that we do not have to fight our battles. When we let the Lord fight our battles, the battle is won.
Our only obligation is to stay faithful to the Lord. His lessons help us to remain calm in adversity as we rest in His love and care.
In the act of reverence and perseverance, my Lord asked me to forgive and move on beyond this event. As difficult as it was to forgive, as a faithful child of God, I had no other choice but to forgive the woman of her hurtful words. Whether she apologizes or not is immaterial.
We go through trials every day. And, there are times people put us into trials that we had no time to prepare for. I am here to say, let it go!
Friends, when someone does or says something to hurt you, I’m not going to lie. It hurts! I’ll tell you the truth right now. I was devastated when that woman said those hurtful words to me. No one had ever been that cruel to me in my whole life. I had a difficult time letting it go. But I am fortunate to have the most incredible friends in my life. When I found it difficult to let things go, my friends stepped in to remind me of God’s love and God’s ways. I am grateful for the friends I have on earth who know me and love me enough to steer me in the right direction at all times. I look forward to being with you all in God’s Kingdom.
Graced in the love of the Lord, I now feel refreshed and ready to enjoy life the way the Lord intends me to enjoy it.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
We have been redeemed by the love of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
We have been redeemed!
One of my favorite games is Scrabble. And there was a time when you could not tear me away from Words With Friends. I am fascinated by words because words, used properly, can lift people up. Words can motivate and inspire people to do great things.
I see words as tools to be used effectively in communication.
I have a friend who speaks and writes with an uncanny sense of clarity. Carefully chosen words assure that the listener or reader comprehends the exact meaning of what is said or written.
I subscribe to Dictionary.com, and each day I receive a Word of the Day. To make it fun learning this new word, I try to use the word appropriately in a sentence sometime during the day.
My Word of the Day
Today, there is a wonderful word appropriately circling the globe. This word is “Redeemed.”
Approximately 2000 years ago, Jesus was crucified. He suffered horribly, sacrificing Himself to atone for our sins. Think about it! We are the ones who sin and should suffer the burden and make the sacrifice for our sin. But Jesus, who is sinless, stepped in for us and became the sacrifice for us. He redeemed us!
As a man in the flesh, Jesus took on all sin out of His pure love for us. He did this so that we could be spared the suffering associated with our sin. He endured pain and humiliation. He did this so that we could overcome our sins and be washed of our sins then, now, and forever. And, I want to add that He did this joyfully. He did not complain or change His mind, even when the torture was, no doubt, excruciating.
Jesus died on a cross so that we would not have the burden of suffering for our sins.
Word Fanatic
I am a word fanatic. On any day, you can find me looking up the meaning of words. I even spend time looking up the meaning of common words. Today, I looked up the word redeem and found the following definition in Dictionary.com. It seemed appropriate for the remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us.
Redeem
verb (used with object)
to buy or pay off; clear by payment: to redeem a mortgage.
to buy back, as after a tax sale or a mortgage foreclosure.
to recover (something pledged or mortgaged) by payment or other satisfaction: to redeem a pawned watch.
to exchange (bonds, trading stamps, etc.) for money or goods.
to convert (paper money) into specie.
to discharge or fulfill (a pledge, promise, etc.).
to make up for; make amends for; offset (some fault, shortcoming, etc.): His bravery redeemed his youthful idleness.
to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom.
Theology. to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.
We have been redeemed
It is appropriate that the theological definition describes precisely the point I present today. Jesus delivered us from sin and was the sacrifice offered for our sins.
Dictionary.com Word of the Day
Today, Dictionary.com has a word that I think is appropriate for the day.
The word is passe-partout. It is pronounced, “pas-pahr-too.” The word is a noun that means “Something that passes everywhere or provides a universal means of passage.”
When I think of the meaning of passe-partout, I think of how Jesus provides us a means of passage.
A person who is not cleansed of their sins cannot go to God. We need Jesus. He is our pathway to God. When we ask Jesus for forgiveness, Jesus speaks to God on our behalf, and our sins are forgiven.
It is written in the Bible,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 (NIV)
Happy Friday!
On a Friday, almost 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ died on a cross for us. On that day, He became the sacrifice for our sins. On that day, our debt of sin was paid in full. Once and for all, on that day, we were forgiven!
And then, three days later, on a Sunday, Jesus became alive again. He was resurrected. Satan, who would have preferred we suffer for our sins, was defeated. It was Jesus who fought our battle against Satan and won. Jesus did this because He loves us so much. He loves us so profoundly we cannot imagine the depth of His love. He fought for us without hesitation and any expectations of repayment.
Jesus loves us! And on this Friday, I want to thank Him, with all of my heart, for His love. His sacrifice has paved the way for us to join our Father in heaven. And, He made it easy. All we need to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God. When we sin, all we need to do is go to Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness.
Pray for Forgiveness
The Bible tells us that when we have sinned, we are wise to ask for forgiveness of that sin. And, if we ask for forgiveness, we are forgiven, and our lives made new again. Here are some verses that speak about forgiveness and the never-ending love of Christ.
Note: All of the verses are quoted from the New International Version (NIV).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
“There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ”
Acts 2:38
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved for it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Romans 10:9-10
The Sinner’s Prayer
Friends, if you have sin in your life and would like to ask forgiveness, there is nothing much that you need to do to get into the full grace of God. The sinner’s prayer is simple, but it effectively says all that needs to be said when asking for redemption. While the sinner’s prayer is not a prayer explicitly found in the Bible, it represents a way for us to begin praying to our Lord and Savior.
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.
The Sinner’s Prayer
Happy Resurrection Day
May you have peace this Good Friday and feel abundant love this coming Sunday, knowing our Lord rose and came back to us so that we could enjoy life again with Him.
Scriptures continually remind us that if we are faithful to God and confess our sins, we are forgiven and cleansed. Our souls are made as white as snow. Our past is no longer relevant. But, sometimes, even when we know the Lord has forgiven us and has told us we are a new being, we (in our inability to put the past behind us) live as if we are still unworthy of the grace the Lord has given us.
I have a young friend who would not go to church because she said she was not good enough to go to such a Holy place. She felt that her sins were too grand for her to simply ask for forgiveness and God would suddenly forgive her without her doing anything for it.
We talked about the sacrifice that Jesus made for us so that if we believe in Him and if we ask Him for forgiveness, He forgives us with no questions asked, no condemnation, and nothing to do but to believe in Him.
When we go to Jesus and ask for forgiveness, He forgives us. It truly is as simple as that. He wipes the slate clean and we are free to go forth in our life as a new person, fresh and clean as if our past did not ever exist.
Still, knowing the truth in Jesus’ love and sacrifice, sometimes we have a tendency to hold on to the past and live with our transgressions as if they still exist.
It is my hope that the following verses will help you to see that when you are forgiven, you no longer have a past. What you have is a new life to live.
Through prayer, you can grow spiritually and do the great things that God has planned for you.
Scriptures About Leaving the Past Behind
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 43:18-19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
I hope you enjoy today’s video which showcases a song about hope. Leave your past behind. Tell your heart to beat again for the new life you have been given.
Today’s Video
Song: Tell Your Heart to Beat Again Performed by: Danny Gokey Song Writers: Matthew West / Bernie Herms / Randy Phillips Copyrights: 2012 Awakening Media Group, One77 Songs, G650 Music, Pure Note Music, Songs of Universal, Inc., Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing
Tell Your Heart to Beat Again
Lyrics: Tell Your Heart to Beat Again
You’re shattered Like you’ve never been before The life you knew In a thousand pieces on the floor And words fall short in times like these When this world drives you to your knees You think you’re never gonna get back To the you that used to be
So tell your heart to beat again And close your eyes and breathe it in Let the shadows fall away Step into the light of grace Yesterday is a closing door You don’t live there anymore Say goodbye to where you’ve been And tell your heart to beat again
Beginning Just let that word wash over you It’s alright now Love’s healing hands have pulled you through So get back up, take step one Leave the darkness, feel the sun ‘Cause your story’s far from over And your journey’s just begun
So tell your heart to beat again And close your eyes and breathe it in Let the shadows fall away Step into the light of grace Yesterday is a closing door You don’t live there anymore Say goodbye to where you’ve been And tell your heart to beat again
Let every heartbreak And every scar Be a picture that reminds you Who has carried you this far ‘Cause love sees farther than you ever could In this moment heaven’s working Everything for your good
So tell your heart to beat again And close your eyes and breathe it in Let the shadows fall away Step into the light of grace Yesterday is a closing door You don’t live there anymore Say goodbye to where you’ve been And tell your heart to beat again Your heart to beat again Beat again
Voice of Hope by Marlene 