How to Forgive - Leading a Freedom-Filled Life Sample

Forgiveness

Yesterday, we explored dealing with pain caused by an offense. We journeyed methods of how you can express that pain in a healthy way, rather than holding onto it. Today we want to look at the final stage in the process – forgiveness.

Before we dive into how to forgive, it is important to address why we forgive.

“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)

Hopefully, we will reach a stage where we want to forgive without needing a reason, but if ever we needed a reason to forgive, the above verse gives us one.

It is said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to be harmed. It just doesn’t work. To be restored from hurt, we need to acknowledge the offense, process the pain it has caused, and let it go through forgiveness.

I recognize I am speaking to a wide variety of individuals who will have experienced varying degrees of pain. Please remember that forgiving someone does not mean condoning the behavior that caused the pain. Instead, you are choosing not to hold that person to account, and by doing so, releasing yourself from the negative effects of pain, moving forward with your life in a healthy way.

May I offer you this simple prayer to help you let go of pain and embrace forgiveness?

Father God,

I recognise I have been holding unforgiveness in my heart towards________________. Please help me release them/myself and move on from the offense. I choose today to forgive and move on with my life. Forgive me for holding this unforgiveness and help me deal better with offense in the future. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We hope today’s devotional has helped you to process your pain. Sometimes the process needs to be repeated again and again until we can fully let go; it is by no means a 1-2-3 step program! Freedom is possible, and forgiveness is a great step towards that freedom.

Join us tomorrow for our final day as we unpack what it looks like to live offense-free.