Devotional for Forgiving Others
When we fail to forgive others, it hinders our relationship with God.
God calls us to forgive others. When we don't, we are disobeying Him. In times of disobedience, discipline may happen. And in times of discipline, we separate ourselves from God because of our behavior.
At times, I have worked with people who have described this discipline. They have stated, "I feel like God is punishing me for a situation I didn't cause." But friends, they still had resentment in their hearts. They were holding a grudge against a person they felt had wronged them. And that bitterness was keeping them from being more fully connected to God. The negative emotions were consuming them and turning into an idol.
Forgiving others frees us from our past wounds. When we don't forgive, we hold on to the pain and either become resentful or start believing the pain that was inflicted. Both of which restrict our ability to lean into God and allow Him to heal us.
Forgiving others doesn't mean we approve of or condone the behavior or situation that took place. It just means we're not going to let the situation hold us hostage any longer.
The situation I described above. The person they were so distressed over likely didn't even remember the situation because it was decades ago.
How often does that happen to you? Someone cuts you off in traffic, and you allow that one incident to alter your mood for part of or the whole day? Or the two ladies talking in the aisle at the grocery store with their carts in the way so you couldn't get by? Do you allow their lack of awareness to get to you?
Now I certainly understand that there are many people reading this who have endured legitimately traumatic events at the hands of someone else. And we are still called to forgive them. Don't allow that person to control you any longer by holding onto your pain. You are worth so much more than having the pain define you.
Forgiving others is brutal—especially when the wound was deep and unfair. That doesn’t make you a bad Christian; it makes you wounded. The good news? You don’t forgive in your own strength. Jesus was betrayed, mocked, and crucified—yet He prayed, ‘Father, forgive them.’ He gives you His own heart and power to release the people who hurt you, one painful step at a time. Forgiveness isn’t pretending it didn’t hurt; it’s choosing to let Jesus carry the debt they owe you. I know forgiving others is a difficult process to work through, so I urge you to seek help if you need more support.
In marriage and family life, forgiving others looks like:
- Letting go of the score-sheet of your spouse’s offenses (the ones from 2012 still don’t count today)
- Releasing resentment toward parents or in-laws instead of letting it poison your home
- Choosing to forgive your spouse daily—even for the little things—so bitterness never gets a foothold
- Teaching your kids real forgiveness by letting them watch you do the hard, humble work of 70×7 right in front of them
- Praying together, ‘Lord, help us forgive ____ the way You’ve forgiven us’
Please take the time to read the below Bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your Bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
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.
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
2 Corinthians 2:7-8
Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
2 Corinthians 2:10-11
Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Here's a short prayer if you're struggling to find the words:
Father, this hurt still stings, and part of me wants to hold on to it. Thank You that Jesus forgave the unforgivable so I can forgive ____ today. I choose, by Your strength, to release them. Heal the wound they left. Replace my bitterness with Your peace. Help my spouse and me model real forgiveness in our home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Try one of these today:
- Name the specific offense and person out loud to God, then pray one sentence of blessing for them (even through gritted teeth).
- Tell your spouse one thing you’re choosing to forgive today (big or small) and ask them to pray with you.
- Pray Matthew 6:14-15 together and thank God that your forgiveness of others flows from being forgiven first.
I pray that this post and these verses meet you where you are today and help you to release the pain and forgive the person you have been harboring continued hurt towards.
God bless!
Melissa
