Forgiveness Doesn’t Deny Pain—It Denies Pain Authority

I held onto unforgiveness as if it were a dear friend for years because I felt protected under the weight of it.

What I didn’t realize was this: unforgiveness wasn’t guarding my heart—it was quietly holding me captive.

Somewhere along the way, I confused forgiveness with things it was never meant to be.

Forgiveness is not forgetting.

It’s not instant healing.

It’s not reconciliation.

And it’s not restoring trust.

Forgiveness is releasing pain from a place of authority in your life—without denying that the pain was real.

When I finally extended the forgiveness I had already been given, I realized I wasn’t letting the person who hurt me off the hook—👉🏼 I was closing the door to the enemy’s influence and stepping into the freedom Jesus secured when He said, “It is finished.”

The memories didn’t disappear overnight. But I learned I had a choice—to rehearse the hurt or to bring it to the Healer. ✨

Pain is real—but it is not the highest authority. Jesus is. If you’re still reading and this is resonating, you may be standing at the edge of a holy exchange.🙌🏼

Let today be the last day you give the devil a foothold. (Eph 4:26–27)

And if you’re struggling with unforgiveness today, you don’t have to leap to emotional resolution—but you do need to begin with obedience. Forgiveness starts as a choice, not a feeling.

Want to walk in freedom?

• Name the pain before God

• Choose to forgive—even if your feelings lag

• Ask Him to lead you toward blessing in time

Jesus, I choose—by faith, not feeling—to forgive __________. I release that person from the debt I’ve been carrying. I place them under Your authority, not mine. Heal what was wounded in me, and in time, teach me how to bless instead of resent. I trust You with justice, healing, and restoration. In Your mighty Name, I pray, Jesus, amen.

You don’t have to finish the journey today—just take the first obedient step. 🫶🏼