Scripture: Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Focus

Forgiveness is not pretending the hurt did not happen. It is choosing not to let the hurt control your heart.

Devotional

Forgiveness can be one of the hardest things God asks us to do.

When someone hurts us, our natural response is often to hold onto the offense.

We replay what happened.
We imagine what we should have said.
We wait for the other person to make it right.

But Paul points us back to Jesus.

“Remember, the Lord forgave you.”

We forgive not because the offense was small, but because the grace we have received is great.

Forgiveness does not mean what happened was okay.

It does not always mean trust is immediately restored.

And it does not mean healthy boundaries are unnecessary.

It means we refuse to let bitterness take root in our hearts.

Bitterness keeps us connected to the wound.

Forgiveness places the wound into God’s hands.

Sometimes forgiveness happens in a moment. Other times, we have to surrender the same pain to God repeatedly until our hearts begin to heal.

Jesus forgave us when we could never repay Him.

When we remember how much mercy we have received, we become more capable of extending mercy to others.

Reflection Question

Is there someone I am still holding an offense against that God is asking me to forgive?

Prayer

Father, thank You for the forgiveness You have given me through Jesus. Help me release bitterness, anger, and resentment. Give me the grace to forgive others as You have forgiven me, and heal the places in my heart that have been wounded.