Forgiving Others Brings Healing and Freedom

Forgiving them was difficult but brought my heart incredible freedom.

Three years ago, someone I deeply love was rejected and discarded by people who are supposed to love her unconditionally.

These people were not strangers to me but individuals I also loved, which made the situation that much more devastating.

Watching this woman go through the pain of abandonment and grapple with the cruel and heartless way these people disposed of her shattered my heart. I experienced an array of intense, negative emotions toward them because of it, ranging from disbelief and sorrow to resentment and disgust.

Despite their cruel and calculated actions, I did my best to intervene, hoping these individuals would reverse their decision and pursue reconciliation. But my repeated petitions were ignored, and their hardened hearts were as fixed cement.

I wrestled with forgiving them for a while, even though Jesus mandated me to pardon them in my heart. Honestly, the thought of it felt violating, given all they had done. But I knew I needed to do it.

One day, after repeatedly praying for Jesus to help me forgive, I released them from the prison of my heart that had held them captive for months.

Afterward, the sky did not part, nor did the earth shake. But the peace I had in my heart and mind eventually facilitated healing that I would not have experienced otherwise.

What about you? Do you need to forgive someone, but you are struggling with it and need prayer? Or have you experienced genuine healing that comes after you have forgiven others? Let me know in the comments.