Well, hey, friends, welcome to another edition of the weekday podcast. I'm so grateful you're here today. As you know, this week we've been thinking about the idea of forgiveness. And today we want to dive into it. Because few of us find it easy, but every single one of us needs it. Now, maybe you're already bracing yourself because the word forgiveness just feels loaded. Maybe you're thinking about someone who hurt you or something you've done that still weighs on your soul. And if that's you, I just want to encourage you, take a deep breath. You're not alone. You're human. And so we're going to talk about this together in a way that feels honest and also freeing. Now, when you think about forgiveness, forgiveness is actually less about forgetting and. And it is more about freeing. Let me say that again. Forgiveness is less about forgetting and it's more about freeing. And so when you clear this up from the start, forgiveness isn't saying what happened was okay. It's not pretending that you're fine. It's not even a guarantee of reconciliation. Instead, forgiveness is release. It's cutting the rope that's been trying to tie you to that moment, that mistake or that person. Not for their sake, but honestly, for yours. One way to think about it is if you've ever driven a car with the parking brake still on. You know, the car technically moves, but everything feels harder than it should. And that's what unforgiveness does to our soul. It drags on your peace, your energy, your joy. It slows everything and makes it harder. Now, let me tell you about a moment that I'll never forget. A friend of mine once said something to me that cut deep. Now, they didn't mean it, I don't think, but it stuck with me like a splinter under my skin. And for weeks, every time I thought about it, I felt that mix of anger and self doubt. And I kept rehearsing that moment and I kept picking at it. Then one morning during my time with Jesus, I felt this question rise up inside of me. Are you willing to be free? Not are you okay with what they did not do. You feel over it. Just, are you willing to be free? I'm telling you, forgiveness started that day. Not because they changed, not because suddenly it didn't hurt. Because I was tired of giving one moment that much power over my peace. So today I want to give you what I consider to be three gentle steps towards forgiveness. If forgiveness feels overwhelming, here's where I'd recommend you start. Number one, just name the hurt Now. Not out loud in a microphone, but just between you and God. Maybe journal it, maybe whisper it during a walk. God can handle your honesty. David did this all the time in the Psalms. So, number one, name the hurt. Number two, release the debt. Say it out loud if you need to. God, I am canceling the debt. They don't owe me anymore. Now, you may need to say it more than once, and that's okay, because forgiveness is sometimes a process, not a lightning bolt. And then, number three, receive grace for yourself. Some of us are great at extending grace, but we're terrible at receiving it. And so if God has forgiven you, maybe it's time that you forgave yourself, too. And I want to give you a scripture to carry with you today. It comes from Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 32. Let me just read it for you. Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God, through Christ, has forgiven you. Forgiveness isn't just something that we offer, is something that we reflect. We forgive. Why? Because we've been forgiven. We extend grace. Why? Because grace has changed us. And that brings me to an invitation for you. Is there a name that comes to mind when I say the word forgiveness? Is there a moment that you've been carrying for too long? Is there a version of you in the past that you still haven't released? If that's you, here's your invitation. You don't have to fix it all. You don't have to fix it all today. But I would encourage you to take one step towards freedom today, even if that step is just whispering, God, would you help me forgive? Well, before we wrap up, I do want to pray for you, because forgiveness is a big deal. Then I want to invite you back tomorrow as Pastor Chuck wraps up this whole idea around forgiveness. But today, I just want to pray on your behalf. Jesus, you know the story behind every pain that we carry. You know the weight, the anger, the hurt. And you're not asking us to fake it. You are offering us freedom. So today, would you help us to take a step towards forgiveness? God, would you give us courage to name the hurt, the grace to release the debt, and the peace to rest in your love? And it's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Have a great day.
