My Forgiveness Listናሙና

Letting Go Silently

The memory of a childhood attack haunted me for decades, each recollection stoking an anger that burned deep. As a grown man, I tracked down the person responsible, driven by a need to confront the past. I poured my pain into a letter, detailing every scar that moment left on my soul. Too nervous to speak live, I recorded it as a voice message and sent it: “I forgive you. Don’t call back.” He never responded, and in that silence, I found freedom. Forgiving him didn’t require his reply; it required my release. Speaking my truth, even through a recording, lifted a weight I’d carried since I was a boy. That act was my closure, not dependent on his acknowledgment, but a gift I gave myself to finally move forward.

I’ve learned we all carry old wounds, moments of hurt that linger, waiting for a resolution that may never come. Forgiveness isn’t about receiving an apology; it’s about letting go of the hope that one will fix me. I didn’t need my attacker’s words to heal; I needed to release the anger that chained me to that day. God invites me to forgive, not for their sake, but for mine, to break free from the past’s hold. Whether it’s a letter, a prayer, or a quiet choice, forgiveness is my step toward healing. When I trust God with the outcome, I find peace, even if the other person stays silent. Their silence doesn’t weaken my freedom; it proves it’s mine to claim. Each day now feels lighter, as I walk unburdened, trusting Him to mend what I cannot.