Rest and Reset: A 30-Day Devotional to Revive JoySample

Forgiveness releases you.

Forgiveness involves letting go of the offense and the ways it hurt you. As your faith matures, you will better understand why Peter asked the Lord for clarification about forgiveness. He had observed Jesus long enough to see that He was meek, yet He also handled everyone with purity regardless of their motives. This contradicts our instincts. When we are hurt, if unchecked, we often want to retaliate. But Jesus showed us a different way, and we must follow His example.

In Luke chapter 17, verses 4 and 5, the Bible says, 'And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.' The apostles’ response is sobering—rather than asking questions like, 'But what if they cheat repeatedly, betray me, or abandon me, leaving me to raise the children alone? What if there is an addiction, or they lie on me or hurt someone I love dearly?” These questions could have been asked, but instead, they prayed, 'Lord, increase our faith.”

It takes genuine faith to forgive real offenses. The supernatural work of the Holy Spirit within the heart must come in and powerfully yet gracefully untangle the web of hurt, beginning to weave hope and trust back into the soul. This is divine surgery that requires precision, conducted by our great physician Christ himself, to entwine His word and light into the darkened crevices left after the incident. If you seek a specific time frame, you will become discouraged. If you want a quick fix, you will grow hopeless. If you chase after a feeling, your joy in Christ may diminish. If you desire evidence, you will see it over time. Healing is a gradual process that unfolds over time. As you move toward God and embrace healthy community, transformation will naturally happen. At first, your emotions will only recognize the darkness you experienced, but as you lean into Christ, more light will shine through. This light is no ordinary glow; it marks the beginning of a greater unfolding.

There is absolutely nothing you can do to change others' choices, but you have many options in how you respond, release, and move beyond them. In scripture, three chapters into the story of redemption, sin appears. Every chapter that follows involves harsh treatment, perseverance, and God working His purposes through the pain and suffering of His people. We live in a fallen world, but we serve a Faithful God who promised to bring vengeance in His time and His way.

You may be navigating forgiveness in this season, and it might be tough for you to reconcile letting go with faith. This is especially true if you are being bombarded with news from the other person involved that doesn’t suggest a lack of judgment. If you are at home, struggling financially, overwhelmed with life, trying to pick up the pieces of a broken future that you didn’t break, God sees, and He knows. One valuable lesson the Lord taught me during my divorce is that I can trust Him. To simply trust Him. I would pray repeatedly for a sign that I would be okay or that there would be true healing in the end. I’d also ask specific questions about parts of the pain I endured. But God would consistently lead me back to trusting Him.

God is and will remain faithful. Some answers you may never know or understand in this lifetime. But you can choose to trust God as you release every layer of pain into the hands of a loving God. Every part of the wounds you endured will contribute to the glory of God. Always remember, 'The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry.' Psalm 34:15 KJV

Be Encouraged.