Letting Go Of Hurt

Have you ever been hurt so deeply that forgiveness felt impossible? In this heartfelt episode, we dive into one of the hardest—but most freeing—things God calls us to do: forgive.

Sharing a personal story of betrayal in the workplace, we explore the emotional weight of bitterness, the struggle to surrender our desire for justice, and how God transforms our hearts when we choose to let go. You’ll learn what biblical forgiveness really means, what it doesn’t mean, and how to walk in freedom even when the person who hurt you never says sorry.

If you’re wrestling with resentment, this episode will remind you that forgiveness is not about excusing the pain—it’s about releasing it to the only One who can truly heal you.

Listen in and take the next step toward peace, healing, and spiritual freedom.

Transcript

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re talking about something that is so difficult but so necessary—forgiveness.

If you’ve ever been hurt, betrayed, or wronged by someone, you know how hard it is to let it go. And let’s be honest—sometimes, we don’t want to. We feel justified in our pain. We replay the situation over and over in our minds, thinking about what we could have said, what we should have done, and why they don’t deserve our forgiveness.

But here’s the truth—forgiveness isn’t about them. It’s about you and your relationship with God.

Jesus calls us to forgive, not because the person deserves it, but because we’ve been forgiven first. And the reality is, the longer we hold onto bitterness, the more it poisons our hearts.

Today, I want to share with you what biblical forgiveness looks like, how to let go of hurt, and how true healing comes when you surrender the pain to God. And I want to be real with you—I’ve been through this firsthand, and I know how hard it is.

A few years ago, I had a work experience that tested me in ways I never expected. There was someone who decided they wanted my job, and they did everything they could to eliminate me. They spread lies about me, twisted situations to make me look like a terrible person, and went out of their way to make me miserable—all in an effort to take my position.

It was exhausting. I was constantly feeling like I had to defend myself, and deep down, I was angry. Why would someone do this to me? Why would God allow this?

In the end, I made the decision to step down willingly. Not because I had to, but because I didn’t want to fight the battle anymore. I walked away, but the bitterness stayed with me.

For an entire year, I wrestled with resentment. I replayed conversations in my head. I imagined what I could have done differently. And honestly? I wanted them to get what they deserved.

But then something happened. God started working on my heart.

I realized that holding onto my anger wasn’t hurting them—it was hurting me. It was keeping me stuck in a cycle of pain, and it was blocking me from experiencing the peace that God wanted to give me.

I came to the conclusion that I needed to forgive them—not for their sake, but for mine.

Not because what they did was okay, but because I couldn’t carry it anymore.

And here’s the hardest but most important part—I realized that I needed to pray for them.

Not pray that they would change. Not pray that they would apologize. But pray that God would bless them, that He would work in their lives, and that they would come to know Him more deeply.

That was the moment I knew my heart had truly been transformed.

What the Bible Says About Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not just a suggestion in the Bible—it’s a command.

Colossians 3:13 says:

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

That last part is key: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

When we think about forgiveness, we often focus on what the other person did to us. But when God looks at forgiveness, He reminds us of what He did for us.

Jesus forgave us while we were still sinners. He didn’t wait for us to deserve it. He didn’t wait for us to get everything right. He forgave freely.

And because we have been forgiven of so much, He calls us to do the same for others.

What Forgiveness Is—And What It’s Not

1. Forgiveness Does Not Mean Forgetting or Excusing

One of the biggest misconceptions about forgiveness is that it means you have to pretend like nothing happened. That’s not true.

• Forgiveness does not mean you excuse the behavior.

• Forgiveness does not mean you allow toxic people back into your life.

• Forgiveness does not mean the pain wasn’t real.

Jesus never said, “Just pretend it didn’t happen.” He said, “Forgive.”

2. Forgiveness Means Releasing the Right to Retaliate

When we hold onto unforgiveness, we often want justice. We want the person to suffer for what they did. But forgiveness means releasing that into God’s hands.

Romans 12:19 reminds us:

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

It’s not our job to make things right—it’s God’s.

3. Forgiveness Frees You, Not Them

The person who hurt you might never apologize. They might never change. But your healing is not dependent on their actions—it’s dependent on your decision to let go.

Jesus didn’t say, “Forgive only if they deserve it.” He said, “Forgive, so that you may be free.”

Matthew 6:14-15 says:

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

That verse is a hard one. But it reminds us that our ability to receive God’s forgiveness is tied to our willingness to give it.

The Freedom That Comes From Letting Go

When I finally let go of the bitterness from my work situation, I felt lighter. I didn’t have to replay the story anymore. I didn’t have to hold onto the anger. I didn’t have to prove anything.

I could walk in freedom, knowing that I had given it to God.

And let me tell you—that was one of the biggest breakthroughs I have ever experienced.

If you’re holding onto unforgiveness right now, I want to challenge you:

• Let go of the need for revenge.

• Release the resentment into God’s hands.

• And ask Him to help you pray for the person who hurt you.

When you can genuinely pray for someone who has betrayed you, you know Jesus has transformed your heart.

Because in the world we live in, forgiveness makes no sense. But in the Kingdom of God, it is the very thing that sets us free.

Final Encouragement: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Forgiveness is not easy. But God does not ask us to do it in our own strength.

If you are struggling to forgive someone, ask God to help you. Tell Him you don’t feel ready, but you are willing.

Philippians 4:13 says:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

That includes forgiveness.

And I promise you—when you finally let go, you will experience a peace that is greater than you ever imagined.

I hope today’s episode encouraged you to take that step toward freedom. If you’re holding onto unforgiveness, don’t wait any longer. Let God heal your heart and walk in the peace He has for you.

If this message spoke to you, share it with someone who might need the same encouragement.

Until next time, keep seeking Jesus, keep letting go, and keep walking in the freedom of forgiveness.