Biblical Answer

Can I still find forgiveness when I've been hurt so deeply?

When we've been hurt deeply, it can be challenging to find forgiveness, especially if the pain seems overwhelming. However, God's forgiveness covers both guilt and shame, providing a foundation for our own forgiveness journey. If the pain we're experiencing is linked to another person, Scripture offers hope for asking forgiveness, forgiving, and reconciling.

The process of forgiveness is not a one-time event but a continuous process that requires practice and patience. It's essential to acknowledge that forgiveness is an unnatural act, and it takes effort to perfect it. Forgiveness is not about excusing or justifying the hurtful behavior but about releasing the negative emotions associated with it. It's not about saying what the other person did is okay but about trusting that God is the God of justice and saying, "Father, I trust in your justice and your power to bring healing and restoration." The connection between forgiving others and being forgiven by God is closely linked, and praying for the person we need to forgive can be a powerful step towards forgiveness.

It's also crucial to recognize that forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean forgetting what happened or feeling no pain. Forgiveness is not a sweet, platonic ideal but an achingly difficult process that requires time, effort, and commitment. Even after forgiving, the wound may still linger in memory, but forgiveness can bring healing and restoration to our lives. As the Bible says, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7), and this truth can give us the courage to seek forgiveness and to forgive others. Ultimately, forgiveness is an act of self-defense, a tourniquet that stops the fatal bleeding of resentment, and it's a process that requires us to trust in God's power to bring healing and restoration.