Letting Go of Your PastNäide

Day 3: Forgiving the Past

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful and freeing choices a believer can make. It’s not always easy, especially when the pain runs deep. But forgiveness is the key to living a spiritually healthy and vibrant life in Christ. Without it, we stay stuck, holding on to hurt and replaying past wrongs in our minds. And over time, we begin to live as if we’re condemned, even though the Bible clearly tells us that we are not.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1, NKJV).

Unforgiveness always leads to some form of condemnation. It may be self-directed, where you quietly carry shame or guilt from your past. Or it may be aimed at others, where you withhold grace, complain, and taint the relationship. In either case, you’re missing out on the freedom Jesus died to give you.

You can usually tell when someone is still holding on to past offenses. Bitterness has a way of showing itself. You ask someone how they’re doing, and instead of sharing what God is doing in their life, they drag you back into a story about someone who hurt them years ago. It’s like time froze for them right at the moment of offense. And sadly, they’ve been living in that space ever since. If you find yourself doing the same thing: rehashing the same wound, reliving the same betrayal; it’s time to forgive.

Colossians 3:13 says, “…bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (NKJV).

Forgiveness is a command. It’s not about pretending something didn’t happen. It’s about releasing your right to hold it against someone. And that includes releasing yourself. Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is the one staring at you in the mirror. You know what you’ve done. You know the choices you made. But if God has forgiven you, you need to learn to accept that forgiveness and stop replaying the past in your mind.

Bitterness will poison your life. Hebrews 12:15 says that a root of bitterness defiles many. It affects your relationships. It influences your words. It weighs you down. And it keeps you from moving forward in the Spirit.

Forgiveness is not an act of strength; it’s an act of surrender. You’re not mustering up the power to forgive. You’re agreeing with what God has already done. Jesus paid the price for your sin and for those who have sinned against you. The blood of Christ is enough. Receive that truth. Rest in it. Let it change you.

Let today be the day you forgive. Let today be the day you receive forgiveness. You’re not condemned. You’re not disqualified. You’re loved, and you’re free to walk in that love.

Let it go. Forgive…and keep forgiving. It’s the way forward.

Guided prayer: Heavenly Father, first, I thank You for the amazing forgiveness that You have showered on me. Help me depend on You and receive Your strength each day so that I can forgive both myself and the people who have wronged me. Please remove any bitterness that I have allowed to grow in my heart. Jesus, what You did on the cross is enough. Help me remember and rest in that truth. Amen.