Forgiveness isn’t optional. Ultimately, forgiveness is personal between you and God.

When someone has deeply hurt you, forgiveness can feel impossible. But forgiveness doesn’t mean what they did was okay, nor does it mean you have to allow them continued access to hurt you. Forgiveness means you release them and refuse to repay them for what they’ve done to you.

In Mark 11:25–26, Jesus tells us that when we stand praying and realize we are carrying something in our hearts against another person, we are to release them and forgive.

In this episode of Hope Beyond the Hurt, Trisha Warren discusses the heart condition of unforgiveness and three important truths about forgiveness:

1. God equips you to forgive.Forgiveness may feel impossible in your own strength, but you’re not limited to your own strength. Romans 5:1–5 shows us that even through pressure and difficulty, God is developing endurance and character in us, while His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is your help.2. Forgiveness isn’t optional. This is personal between you and God. Mark 11:25-26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you find that you carry something in your heart against another person, release him and forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also release you and forgive you of your faults. But if you will not release forgiveness, don’t expect your Father in heaven to release you from your misdeeds.”3. You don’t repay them for what they’ve done to you.You don’t have to make sure someone “gets what they deserve.” Galatians 6:8 teaches us the principle that we reap what we sow. You can release the situation and trust God with what happens next.You may not be able to change what someone did to you, but you can decide what you will carry forward with you.

Forgiveness is a decision. Healing is a process.

Release them. Release the offense. And allow God to continue healing your heart.

Scriptures:
Mark 11:25–26
Galatians 6:8
Romans 5:1–5

Hope Beyond the Hurt with Trisha Warren
There is hope. There is healing. And there is life beyond the hurt.