Have you ever been so hurt that you decided you wouldn’t forgive that person, no matter what? Most of us have felt like that at one point or another. Even though it might seem like the best option in the heat of the moment, it’s one of the most damaging choices we can make. Learn how to forgive with this reading plan.
Vladimir Savchuk
Day 1
Scripture: Matthew 5:44-45
Forgiveness is the process by which a person is released from the consequences of an action against another person or group and is restored to a positive relationship with the offended party.
In other words, it is deciding to let go of the hurt. Often we will hold onto offenses or grudges because we don’t know how to let go. We’ve held onto a memory for so long that we are unsure who we would even be without it. The truth is that replaying the memory never brings healing. It only causes us to harbor more guilt, resentment, and pain.
People often say, “I can’t forgive them because they don’t deserve it.”
I’m sure they probably don’t, but this is one of the biggest traps that satan creates to bind people. It is believed that forgiveness should be “as a result” of something instead of “despite it.” As a follower of Christ, we are to not only forgive but also to love our enemies. Following Christ is not an easy path, but it is the path of true freedom, healing, and joy.
Don’t allow satan to keep you bound another day through the false belief that your forgiveness depends on others.
Let’s Pray:
Father, I don’t want to be holding onto the lies of Satan any longer. I uproot that lie from my heart and mind in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Day 2
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:32, Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 6:14-15
When you discard the enemy’s lies and focus on the blessings and benefits of forgiveness, you will see how deceitful the devil was to try and keep you bound to unforgiveness.
As hard as it may feel, decide to embrace the future God has for you. It is one of joy and peace–a future where the pain of that memory stops affecting you.
Choose to let go of that hurt.
You’ll realize how much more energy, time, and mental capacity you have to do new things in life. Often people will think they have control over the situation, but when it’s left unresolved and time passes, they don’t realize they are actually being controlled.
When you forgive, God can bring healing and His love to those areas of your heart. The pain that the offender caused can finally stop hurting you when you choose to shake off the shackles and move forward. God’s life for you is waiting on the other side of forgiveness.
When we look at Scripture, we see that Jesus commands us to forgive. Not just for the sake of our sanity but our forgiveness. The Bible clarifies that we are to forgive our debtors, just as He has forgiven us. I urge you to heed God’s voice today and decide to forgive so you may not have any fault in your heart.
Let’s Pray:
Father, I have read Your Word and have heard Your command to forgive. I need Your strength to do so. I can’t do this on my own. I pray that You would send Your Spirit to help me as I take this step to forgive.
Day 3
Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:7, Luke 6:37, Luke 17:3-4
If you haven’t yet been able to release that pain to the Lord fully, the first practical step is to spend some time in prayer. Begin to tell the Lord about the condition you find yourself in. Be honest with Him about what that person did, how it made you feel, and why you think it’s hard to let go of that. Expose your heart before Him. The Scripture says He cares for you.
Tell the Lord, “Today I choose to forgive _______ (their name), for _______.”
As hard as it may be, know that it is the most powerful thing you can do in the spiritual realm. You are breaking free from months or years of bondage in one heartfelt sentence. As you do this, it’s also important to understand that forgiveness is not overlooking, excusing, minimizing, or even taking the blame for the evil committed. It is simply choosing to stop being bound by it. It does not mean forgetting and ceasing to feel the pain; it doesn’t mean that it changes anything done in the past. It is a decision you choose to make, despite what you feel, to change yourfuture.
It is not a one-and-done event. Forgiveness will take time, and it can often come in layers. That is why it is important to go to the Lord in prayer as you do this and trust in His guidance.
Knowing that you have forgiven someone does not mean that reconciliation or trust must happen afterward. Reconciliation takes two people. Forgiveness only takes one–you. Free yourself from unforgiveness, and allow God to deal with your heart and whatever comes in the future for your relationship.
Remember that we forgive because we have been forgiven. It is not a choice; it is a command.
Let’s Pray:
Father, I am confronted by Your truth and choose to submit to it. I want to be free from the grips of satan and his schemes against my life. Today I choose forgiveness. I forgive _______ (their name), for __________ (what they did and what it caused you).