My Journey’s My Own

A Devotional

When you first hear the word “forgiveness” does it dredge up images of hugs, tears, and softly spoken “I forgive you’s” and “I’m sorry’s”? Well, if it doesn’t GOOD! Because even though God wants us to forgive others (it’s even in the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13) forgiveness is not about the person who did you wrong but about you and your heart.

Imagine a world where all the pain that others cause us just stays trapped in our souls. What kind of people would we be? Happiness would elude us, joy would be a foreign word, love wouldn’t exist, and it would be a very dark and hostile world. 

This is why we have to forgive and let those emotions go! Don’t harbor them as they will darken your heart. As women it’s so easy to hold a grudge against those who have hurt us, especially when those people are old classmates.

High school girls can be the worst people on the planet! Especially when a lot of us went to school, when it was “okay” to tease and bully and adults didn’t seem to monitor or intervene much. Thinking that it would make us stronger somehow. But let me tell you, from experience, that letting go of those old rivalries and “mean girl” issues is so liberating! It doesn’t mean I will ever forget how those people treated me, nor will I seek them out for future friendships but letting go of all that emotion is healthy.

We don’t need to hear someone apologize for everything to forgive them, we just have to allow ourselves to be at peace with it. I’ve always marveled at victims that can forgive their abusers or assailants or even murderers. I’ve heard them in the courts saying they forgive them but that they’ll never forget.

If they can do it, surely we can do it. We are strong, independent, beautiful women! We can do any damn thing we set our minds to. I promise you, you’ll feel so much better.

Questions/Actions

What hurts can you forgive? Say their name and let it go. 

If someone owes you an apology, can you reach out to them and explain your hurt? There’s no shame in being the first one to start the conversation.

Verses

Matthew 6:9-13 “Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.”

Matthew 6:15 “But if you do no forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Psalms 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”