“What I’ve Learned About Forgiveness (When It Wasn’t Easy).”

By Pastor Terry Bailey

Forgiveness Wasn’t My First Reaction

There were times I wanted to hold on to the pain — to replay the betrayal, to nurse the wound. I told myself I was protecting my heart, but truthfully, I was hardening it.

Ephesians 4:31–32 – 'Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you... and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.'

God Forgave Me First

Whenever I hesitated to forgive, the Lord reminded me how quickly He forgave me. —And not once, but time and time again.

Colossians 3:13 – '...even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.'

Forgiveness Doesn’t Excuse — It Releases

Forgiving someone doesn’t mean they were right. It means I trust God with justice. It’s not letting them off the hook — it’s letting myself off the leash of bitterness.

Romans 12:19 – 'Beloved, do not avenge yourselves... Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'

It Took Time — and Prayer

Some forgiveness came fast, others took longer. But every time, it was prayer that broke the chains. The Holy Spirit softened my heart in ways my mind could never have.

Mark 11:25 – 'Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him…'

Forgiveness Changed Me More Than Them

Sometimes they didn’t say sorry. Sometimes they didn’t change. But I did. Forgiveness reshaped my soul. It gave me freedom to love again, lead again, breathe again.

Matthew 6:14 – 'For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.'

Sunset Summary

Forgiveness is not weakness — it’s strength surrendered to God. It’s not forgetting — it’s remembering without chains.

And today, when I meet someone who's stuck in pain, I can say:

'I’ve been there. And I promise — freedom feels better than revenge.'