Devotional: Forgive and Be forgiven Yourself

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him,

that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Mark 11:25-26

The instructions to be heard by God are clear. Forgive others. However, we often say contradictory statements such as, “I forgive but I don’t forget.” You might think how is that contradictory when I’m simply putting boundaries up to not be hurt again? But is that really boundaries to demand respect or boundaries to remember your pain…

There is a way to demand respect and learning from yours or others mistakes. However, we often use pain as a tool to keep us safe. If we never forget how this person has hurt us, then I’ll never be put in that situation again for me to get hurt. And so imagine, if God thought like that; if He remembered every backsliding way, every time we were angry with Him, every time we chose to walk away from Him.

We are so comfortable to ask God to have grace with us, and excuse our own faults due to His mercy, but struggle to do the same for others.

In Isaiah 43:25, God speaks to the ever-sinning Israel, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins".

This is the mercy of God. In verse 26, God continues to reveal that when we “put [Him] in remembrance… state [our] case, [we] may be acquitted.” Acquitted is to mean make blameless—that is to be innocent of wrongdoing.

If this is how God forgives our sins by forgetting the ways we’ve wronged Him, we are to follow His example and make those that’ve hurt us also innocent.

It’s a hard choice to put our pain away. It’s hard to let go of our pain. It’s uncomfortable to put down our shield because it causes us to be vulnerable. But vulnerability is necessary for growth and God’s grace on our lives.

Prayer to Receive True Forgiveness

Father God,

How merciful are You. How undeserving are we of Your grace. Yet, You always extend Your right hand in justice, mercy and love when we repent deeply from our hearts. Even though it’s hard, help me Father God in Your role model, to forgive others the way You forgive us. To truly forgive from the depths of our heart. Help us, Father God, to forget the violations of others even though we are struggling. Help us to admit that our pain is a comfortable shield for us to protect our hearts. Help us Father God to let go of our tight grip on our own shield, so that YOU now are covering us. Protect us, God Almighty, with the blood of Your son Jesus Christ, from the crowns of our head to the soles of our feet! Help us declare TRUE forgiveness for others in our hearts. Help us declare our JOY over our lives, a joy unspeakable despite all the hardships we’ve faced. You are our King. You are our Redeemer. You are our everlasting fountain of Love, Guidance, and Protection. Thank You for correcting our wrongs. Thank You for Your amazing grace. Teach us Father God, to have Your mercy on others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

COACH DEE

Online Personal Trainer CPT: ACE & Trauma Informed Weight-lifting

About the Author: Coach Dee

Deborah Park, known as Coach Dee, is the owner of Drip Training LLC and an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach with a background in architecture and kinesiology from the University of Virginia. With years of experience in physical therapy settings and fitness coaching, Coach Dee pairs her expertise with a steadfast commitment to honoring God in her work. Her faith is the foundation of her approach, helping individuals strengthen their bodies and renew their minds through biblical principles and disciplined action.

Coach Dee’s perspective is shaped by her own testimony of perseverance, including recovery from a life-altering car accident that led to PTSD and chronic pain. She now encourages others to overcome their trials by leaning on God's Word and His unwavering promises. Through her writing and coaching, she seeks to inspire readers to pursue strength, resilience, and a deeper relationship with Christ as they navigate life’s challenges.