I know some of you are struggling to let go of the past and move forward. A friend asked me to share a few Bible verses on this topic, and  I hope they will bring us all comfort and strength: 

Philippians 3:13-14: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Here, God calls us to release the past and trust in the future He has for us. 

Isaiah 43:18-19, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.   Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”   God is working in your life, even now, to bring new hope and healing. Count on it!

Colossians 3:13: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Forgiveness can be hard, but it’s a step toward freedom and peace in Christ. In fact, without forgiving others, how can you expect God to forgive you?

Ephesians 4:32 keeps coming to mind: ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’ It’s not about forgetting what happened, but it’s about choosing to release the bitterness so it doesn’t chain you down.

Unforgiveness isn’t just unfair to your family; it’s a prison that shackles you to the past. This is one of the reasons Charlie Kirk’s wife forgave his killer.

Remember Joseph’s story in Genesis 50:20? His brothers sold him into slavery, but he said, ‘You intended it for evil, but God intended it for good.’ Your pain and your friends’ and family’s actions toward each other don’t have to define their future. Start with one prayer today: Ask God to soften their hearts, including yours. God is the ultimate healer!

Some people may not deserve forgiveness in our eyes, but neither did we deserve Calvary. What if Jesus said, “I only died for good people? That would  be ludicrous,  right? I know this is true! Your friend, your brother, your mother in-law, even your husband might be an “arse” sometimes, but I’ll bet so have you been, “sometimes” ( at least once, lol).  I may stay away from toxic people, but I try to forgive my critics daily because without forgiveness, holding grudges chains me to the chaos they bring. I’ve seen many of my friends and their families crumbling under the weight of unforgiveness. I even have a friend who holds such deep grudges they refuse to even look at me for the things I’ve said and believe. I feel so sorry for them. It’s a huge weight on their shoulders to live without the ability to forgive. With it I’m sure we could be friends again. Look, God has wired us for unity: Husbands are to love sacrificially, wives to respect their husbands boldly (Ephesians 5), kid’s to honor parents (Exodus 20). These things are not easy, and  neither is forgiveness, but they are required!

And then there is this: Jesus said in Matthew 22:39, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ It’s tough, but showing that kind of love to your family, a political enemy, or just someone who has hurt you, or you them, is a must. We must forgive them, like you’d want for yourself, is truly the only step toward healing, and it is, by the way, the second greatest commadment! Matthew 22:39: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Now, forgive as you’ve been forgiven—it’s a deliberate choice of the will, not a feeling. It might hurt at first. Maybe like ripping off a bandage or draining a poisoned well, but I think you know  it unleashes God’s power for healing in your heart. Maybe even in the heart of others, too.

I’m praying for my friend, his family, and for you all, knowing that God gives us the strength to forgive. Let’s go, embrace the new things He has in store and forgive. If you need to talk privately or pray together, I’m here.  Love you all.