Forgiveness: A Daily Journey

Today’s blog post is simple, honest, and from the heart. I want to share a piece of my life’s journey—specifically, my ongoing walk with forgiveness. Every believer has an area in their faith walk that stretches them. Some battle addiction. Others wrestle with jealousy, pride, or simply telling the truth. For me, the area that has consistently challenged me the most is forgiveness.

A Word That Stopped Me in My Tracks

I am currently reading Their Finest Hour: 30 Biblical Figures Who Pleased God at Great Cost by R.T. Kendall. When I reached Chapter 27—Joseph and Total Forgiveness—something he wrote stopped me in my tracks. It didn’t wound me; it clarified me. It helped me see my own journey through a different lens.

Kendall writes:

“Total forgiveness is a life sentence. By that I mean you have to forgive these people daily as long as you live… so totally forgiving anyone who has hurt you deeply is something you must do every day as long as you live.”

The deeper the wound, the more intentional the forgiveness. And when someone has hurt you deliberately and intentionally, forgiveness is no longer a moment—it becomes a daily decision. A decision of obedience. A decision of surrender.

Ephesians 4:32 reminds us:
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

When They Could Make It Right—But Don’t

One of the hardest things to accept is when a person has the power to correct the wrong but simply chooses not to. Their refusal doesn’t just affect me—it affects the people connected to me. That ripple effect makes forgiveness feel even heavier.

But even in this, God calls me to release it.

Romans 12:19 says:
“Do not take revenge… for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Honestly, my heart does not seek revenge, nor do I desire any harm to come to anyone. Instead, my sincere prayer is that whatever unresolved issues, wounds, or internal battles may be driving his or her destructive behavior will be healed and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I pray that the Lord will bring clarity where there is confusion, restoration where there is brokenness, and renewal where change is needed. May God’s grace intervene, shaping their character and guiding them into wholeness.

As Scripture reminds us:

• “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21
• “See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:15
• “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10
• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… to bind up the brokenhearted.” — Isaiah 61:1

May the Holy Spirit do a deep work of healing, transformation, and peace in every heart involved.

Only the Holy Spirit Can Carry Us Through

In moments like these, I’ve learned something profound:

Only the Holy Spirit can carry us through the process of forgiving what still hurts.

• Only the Holy Spirit can help me forgive while I’m still angry.
• Only He can soften the heart when it wants to defend itself.
• Only He can take something deliberate and turn it into something redemptive.

“Forgiveness Is a Daily Exercise”

If you’re reading this today, I truly don’t believe it’s by accident. God has a way of guiding the right words to the right heart at the right time.

Kendall wrote:

“Forgiveness is a daily exercise.”

And now, more than ever, I understand what that means—not just in theory but in lived, breathed, daily experience.

Jesus Himself taught us that forgiveness is continual.
In Matthew 18:21–22, when Peter asked how many times he should forgive, Jesus replied:

“Not seven times, but seventy times seven.”
In other words—keep forgiving.

What Forgiveness Has Taught Me

Through this journey, I’ve learned to look at people through the eyes of compassion. I remind myself that everyone is dealing with something unseen. Sometimes the person who hurt you is battling issues far deeper than their actions reveal.

God has taught me to look past behavior and instead see the spiritual wounds and heart issues at work—wounds only He can heal.

Proverbs 4:23 says:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

So I no longer view the situation as “something done to me.”
I now see it as something God allowed so I could pray. Because if the root of the heart issue isn’t healed, the consequences reach beyond this life—they reach into eternity.

And so, with God’s help, my anger has turned into compassion.

Colossians 3:13 calls us to this posture:
“Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

God can heal any wound.
He can restore any heart.
He can redeem any story.

And that truth gives me hope… and with that hope, I smile.

🕊️ Reflective Prayer

Father, today I bring before You every place in my heart that still aches.
Teach me to forgive daily, freely, and completely—just as You have forgiven me.
Strengthen me to release intentional wounds and surrender what still stings.

Holy Spirit, soften my emotions, quiet my thoughts, and guide my responses.
Help me see others through Your eyes of compassion and grace.
Heal the hearts of those who wounded me, and heal the parts of me that were impacted by their actions.

Lord, Your Word says in Matthew 6:14 that if we forgive others, You forgive us.
Help me to walk in that truth with humility and obedience.
May my life reflect Your mercy, my journey reflect Your grace, and my heart reflect Your love.

Today, I choose forgiveness.
Tomorrow, remind me to choose it again.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.