Forgiveness – the Path to Healing

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

─ Matthew 6:14-15 ESV

Corrie Ten Boom said, “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.”

Sometimes it seems hard to forgive someone who has hurt or offended you, because it seems like you are saying what they did was okay. It’s important to recognize you can let go of the pain, but still expect them to be held accountable for their actions. It’s okay to say, “I forgive you, but what you did is not okay.”

Forgiveness doesn’t condone the action, but releases you from the offense. Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (ESV).

Because God loves you, He urges you to forgive. When you forgive, you have a steady promise from God to forgive you. The choice to forgive puts distance between you and the power of the offense. Forgiveness sets you on His path of healing.

Today’s One Thing

Are you holding on to something and need to forgive someone?

1. Write down what you need to let go and forgive. Take it into your quiet time with God and share how you feel with Him.
2. Tell Him everything, even the things maybe you’ve not voiced aloud. Say the words: “I forgive [person’s name] for [what they’ve done].”
3. Then leave those things with Him to take care of, just like you would if you gave a friend a postcard to mail for you.
4. Ask God to remove the hurt, and to help you take the next steps He has for you toward healing.

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