Letting Go: The Freedom of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things God calls us to do, yet it is also one of the most freeing. Easier said than done as a guy, I know. We often carry the wounds of betrayal, injustice, and disappointment deep within us. Instead of dealing with them in a healthy way, we end up (often times) creating more damage in the process, to ourselves and others. Sound familiar? We may not talk about them, but these wounds from our past (and present) often shape the way we think, act, and lead. The temptation to hold onto bitterness and seek justice, or go back to our dark places, is real—but that’s not God’s way.

Jesus calls us to something greater. He calls us to release our pain into His hands, trusting that He sees every wrong done to us. When we learn to truly forgive, we aren’t saying that what happened was okay. We are saying that we trust God more than our own desire for payback. He is the ultimate judge, and He will handle justice in His time and His way.

Forgiveness doesn’t make us weak; it sets us free. It heals our hearts, clears our minds, and keeps us from becoming men ruled by anger. Jesus forgave us when we didn’t deserve it. As His followers, we’re called to do the same.

So today, what would it look like for you to start taking the first step towards releasing bitterness? Choose grace over grudges. Let’s ask God to heal the wounds we’ve carried for too long together.Because in forgiveness, we don’t lose—we gain freedom.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32