Letting Go of Hurt: A Christian Guide to Forgiveness
We all carry scars. Some are visible; others are hidden deep in the heart. When someone hurts you — especially someone you trusted — that pain can settle like a heavy stone in your soul. You may replay the moment, the words, or the betrayal, wondering why it happened and how you’ll ever move past it.
But the truth is, holding onto hurt keeps you bound to the very thing that wounded you. God calls us to something greater — not because it’s easy, but because forgiveness brings freedom.
1. Acknowledge the Wound Honestly
Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Pretending you’re fine doesn’t heal you. God isn’t asking you to ignore the pain — He’s inviting you to bring it to Him. The first step in forgiveness isn’t forgetting; it’s facing the hurt and placing it in His hands.
When you tell God the truth about how much it hurts, you open the door for Him to start mending what’s broken.
2. Remember That Forgiveness Is a Process
Philippians 3:13 (KJV)
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.
Forgiveness doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes it’s a daily choice — releasing anger piece by piece until peace replaces the pain.
It’s not about forgetting what happened; it’s about choosing not to let it control your heart anymore.
Every time the memory comes up, remind yourself: “I’ve placed that in God’s hands.”
3. Choose to Release, Even If They Never Apologize
Colossians 3:13 (KJV)
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
True forgiveness isn’t dependent on someone else’s apology.
It’s about your obedience to God. You forgive because you’ve been forgiven.
Jesus didn’t wait for us to be sorry before He went to the cross — He forgave us while we were still sinners.
When you choose to release the person who hurt you, you make room for God’s peace to dwell where bitterness once lived.
4. Pray for the Strength to Let Go
Matthew 5:44 (KJV)
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Forgiving someone who doesn’t deserve it may feel impossible — and on your own, it is.
That’s why you must ask God for strength.
Pray that He would heal your heart, soften theirs, and give you the grace to see them through His eyes.
Praying for someone who hurt you doesn’t excuse their actions — it sets you free from their hold.
5. Let God Redeem What Was Broken
Romans 8:28 (KJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
God never wastes pain. Every wound surrendered to Him can become a testimony of His grace.
Letting go doesn’t erase your story — it transforms it.
The same God who healed the brokenhearted then still restores today.
Closing
Letting go of hurt doesn’t mean you stop feeling; it means you start healing.
Forgiveness is how you move from bitterness to peace, from anger to grace, from wounds to worship.
Whatever you’ve been holding onto, release it today.
God can do more with your surrender than you can with your control.
