Forgiveness is often unfair, uncomfortable, and misunderstood. But it's also one of the most powerful, healing acts of obedience we're called to as His followers. If you're not ready to forgive yet, that's okay; we're only human. If you have ever struggled to let go of a hurt, let these five steps help you focus on forgiveness as a holy, freeing choice.
Forgiveness starts with honesty. Don’t minimize what happened or fake peace. Bring your hurt to God. He can handle it.
Letting go doesn’t mean what they did was okay. It means you’re releasing the burden so it doesn’t poison your heart.
If you keep replaying the wound in your mind, it’s hard to move forward. Holy Focus helps shift your attention from revenge to renewal with Scripture and prayer reminders.
It may feel impossible, but praying for them, even through clenched teeth, starts to soften your spirit. It’s not about them, it’s about your freedom.
I held on to bitterness for a long time, thinking it would protect me. But all it did was harden me. Forgiveness didn’t erase the pain, but it gave me peace. That’s what inspired Holy Focus, a space to let go, refocus, and start healing.
I wasn't expecting to cry reading this, but I did. The honesty about how hard forgiveness can be made me feel like I wasn't the only one struggling with it. I have this grudge that I feel is eating at me. I've been asking God to help me let go. This gave me both direction and courage. The truth I didn't know I needed to hear: that forgiveness is a spiritual discipline. Lord, lead the way. I want to be closer to you.
— Landen
Some people have cut me deep over the years. It was -and still is- difficult to forgive them for what they did to me. This article wasn't cheesy about forgiveness. I like how it was real and Spirit-led. I'll try to choose forgiveness daily, even when the pain continues to poke at me at random times of the day. I'm freeing myself to heal from all the pain. It's not about excusing someone - that was so powerful.
— Carys
Forgiveness is often a process. Some days you’ll feel peace, other days you won’t. Keep choosing it. Let grace be stronger than resentment.
Forgiveness is not a one-time thing. It’s choosing grace over bitterness and laying down the burden again and again, as a journey of the heart. Forgiveness is also one of the most Christlike things we can do. It reflects His heart who forgave the people who hung him on a cross and who looked at the ones who hurt Him and still asked for forgiveness from the Father. Letting go of anger means choosing freedom over captivity. Don’t let the offense have the final word. Pray for the willingness to forgive little by little.
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Some people have cut me deep over the years. It was -and still is- difficult to forgive them for what they did to me. This article wasn’t cheesy about forgiveness. I like how it was real and Spirit-led. I’ll try to choose forgiveness daily, even when the pain continues to poke at me at random times of the day. I’m freeing myself to heal from all the pain. It’s not about excusing someone – that was so powerful.
I wasn’t expecting to cry reading this, but I did. The honesty about how hard forgiveness can be made me feel like I wasn’t the only one struggling with it. I have this grudge that I feel is eating at me. I’ve been asking God to help me let go. This gave me both direction and courage. The truth I didn’t know I needed to hear: that forgiveness is a spiritual discipline. Lord, lead the way. I want to be closer to you.