notesbynora

Forgiveness is one of the hardest commands Jesus gives us. Our human instinct is to hold on to hurt, to replay the offense in our minds, to wait for the other person to admit they were wrong. But forgiveness isn’t about excusing bad behavior or pretending the wound doesn’t exist. Forgiveness is about freedom—yours and mine.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15, “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.” Those words can feel heavy, but they also carry hope. Forgiveness is the pathway to healing and restoration. When we release others, God releases us from the chains of bitterness.

Bitterness is sneaky. At first, it feels justified. You were wronged, so you cling to your right to be angry. But over time, bitterness becomes a weight you carry everywhere you go. It colors your conversations, interrupts your peace, and keeps you tied to the hurt long after the person who hurt you has moved on. Forgiveness doesn’t minimize the pain, but it does break the chain.

Think of Joseph in the Old Testament. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and forgotten in prison, Joseph had every reason to be bitter. Yet when he finally stood before his brothers years later, he said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Joseph chose forgiveness, and that choice set his family—and himself—free.

Forgiveness is not a one-time event. Sometimes it’s a daily decision. You may forgive someone today and wake up tomorrow with the pain fresh again. That’s okay. Keep handing it back to God. Over time, the wound begins to heal, and the bitterness loses its grip.

Forgiveness also frees us to receive God’s love more fully. When we cling to resentment, our hearts are too full of anger to receive peace. But when we let go, even reluctantly, we make space for God’s Spirit to fill us with joy, hope, and compassion.

And here’s the surprising thing: forgiveness isn’t only for others. It’s also for ourselves. Many people live under the shadow of guilt and regret, punishing themselves for past mistakes. Yet God’s Word assures us that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). If God has forgiven you, who are you to hold onto what He has released?

True forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or reconciling in every situation. It means choosing to lay down the right to revenge, entrusting justice to God, and allowing Him to heal the broken places in your heart.

Prayer:
Lord, forgiveness is not easy, but I know it is necessary. Help me to release those who have hurt me into Your hands. Teach me to forgive as You have forgiven me, and free me from bitterness so I can walk in peace. Amen.