Forgive and Forget?

How can you stop your unforgiveness from stealing your joy, peace, and communion with God?

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

"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.”
(Ephesians 4:31–32)

A pastor friend of mine once shared a funny story from the pulpit. While preaching on forgiveness, he asked his congregation, “How many of you have had to forgive an enemy recently?” Every hand in the room went up except for one elderly woman seated in the front row. Curious, he asked her, “You haven’t had to forgive anyone recently?” She smiled and said, “No, I outlived them all!” 😊

The truth is, most of us don’t outlive our enemies. Life has a way of offering us a constant stream of opportunities to forgive friends, family members, coworkers, and even complete strangers. While some wounds may be small, others cut deep and leave scars that don’t fade easily. Maybe someone lied about you, abandoned you, or broke your trust. In those moments, holding on to anger feels justified, but Paul reminds us in Ephesians that holding on to those things does harm only to our own hearts.

Forgiveness is not for the person who hurt you—it’s for you. Carrying unforgiveness can steal your peace, rob you of joy, and block your connection with God. Clara Barton once said of a painful offense, “I distinctly remember forgetting it.” What a powerful image! We may remember the hurt, but we can choose not to dwell on it. At its core, forgiveness begins not with how we feel but with our willingness to obey the example of Christ. We forgive others because we’ve been forgiven. We extend grace not because it’s easy, but because it’s what Jesus did for us on the cross.

If you’re struggling to forgive today, don’t start with your feelings. Instead, start with prayer, asking God to soften your heart. Name the offense, bring it to Him, and then trust Him to do what only He can do: heal the wound and set you free.

Prayer:
Dear God, I don’t always feel like forgiving, but I want to obey You. Teach me to forgive others as I have been forgiven. Help me release this hurt and trust You to heal what’s broken. Amen.

Listen to the sermon: How to Maintain your Forgiveness

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

My wife, Dee, and I recently celebrated 39 wonderful years of marriage! Through the years, we’ve shared countless laughs, savored many strong cups of coffee, and sought to make the most of every moment we’ve had together. We’ve been blessed with three children and five beautiful grandchildren who’ve added so much joy and fun to our lives.

I’m especially grateful that we’ve had the privilege of serving God side-by-side at Moody Bible Institute and New Life Community Church. My heart is full of gratitude for these nearly four decades together! I look forward to walking many more years with Dee, hand-in-hand, as the Lord allows. Here’s to the road ahead and the God who has been faithful every step of the way.