When Heroes FallSample

FORGIVING A FALLEN HERO

Friend, I understand that you are hurt by the wrong your hero has done. I know you are deeply disappointed. I know you can’t believe the mistakes they made. I have been there, too, but don’t allow bitterness to take root in your heart. That bitterness will take you down a dark path, and before you know it, you may be entangled in some of the very things your hero fell prey to.

Forgiveness isn’t just a gateway to healing; it is a divine assignment. When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, He included an important piece about forgiveness. He said to pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12 NLT). Jesus was saying here that we should forgive because we have been forgiven. God’s forgiveness of us demands that we forgive others, and that includes our fallen heroes.

Forgiveness isn’t a feeling; it’s an intentional choice. When you think about your hero’s actions, remind yourself to shift the way you see them. They bear the image of God and yet are stained by sin. In this world, they will fall to temptation, but they are not just their failures; they are more than their actions that hurt you.

When you forgive your hero, you aren’t turning a blind eye. You are trusting in God’s justice. You are breaking the cycle of pain so that, when the day comes for you to stand in front of God, you can say that you stood against injustice with a forgiving heart.

Now, you may encounter moments when the hurt, betrayal, and confusion make surprise visits after you have decided to forgive. Don’t avoid those moments; embrace them. They are part of the process of forgiving. Remind yourself of your decision to forgive. Feel what you feel and cry out to the Lord. Let these recurrences create an opportunity for you to turn to Jesus, the One who will ultimately heal your heart.

What obstacles hinder you from forgiving your hero?