Why Should I Forgive Someone Who Hurt Me Deeply?
Forgiveness is hard—especially when someone deeply wounds you. But today’s episode shows how letting go of bitterness can unlock a freedom that changes everything.
What do you do when someone hurts you so deeply, it feels impossible to forgive?
Holding onto that pain can feel like control—but it’s actually a prison. And if you’ve ever struggled to forgive, you’re not alone.
Today’s devotion explores one powerful act of mercy that stunned the world—and how it mirrors the way Christ forgives us.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
- Why forgiveness isn’t forgetting—and what it actually means
- What happens inside us when we hold on to bitterness
- How the forgiveness we’ve received from God empowers us to forgive others
You don’t have to carry this hurt forever. Letting go might be the most freeing thing you ever do.
Share this episode: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/35.
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You don’t have to carry what you’re facing alone. I’d be honored to pray for you.
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Whatever you’re walking through—God sees, and I’ll be praying.
SCRIPTURE VERSES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Ephesians 4:32
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On October 2, 2019, a Dallas courtroom grew still. The sentencing had already been handed down—ten years in prison for Amber Guyger, a former police officer convicted of killing a young man named Botham Jean in his own apartment.
And then, something happened thatno one expected.
The victim’s younger brother, Brandt, just 18 years old, stepped forward to speak. People leaned in. What would he say? Anger? Heartbreak? Rage?
We’ll get to that—but first…
Welcome to Daily Devotions for Busy Lives. I’m Bart Leger, and I’ve had the privilege of serving as a pastor for over 40 years. For the next few minutes, we’re going to talk about something that’s easy to avoid—but impossible to escape: forgiveness. Whether it’s a wound from years ago or something that happened just last week, unforgiveness can weigh heavy on our hearts. But today’s devotion shows us how releasing that burden might just be the most freeing thing you ever do.
During his victim-impact statement, Brandt surprised the world. He stood before the woman who had taken his brother’s life and said something that left the entire courtroom stunned.
“I forgive you. I love you as a person. And I want the best for you… Give your life to Christ.”
Then, he asked the judge for permission to hug her.
It wasn’t a short hug. It lasted nearly a minute. There was a mixed reaction to that moment..
Brandt later explained why he did it. He said bitterness was like a jail inside his heart. But Christ had forgiven him, and he wanted to extend that same forgiveness to her.
That moment turned a courtroom of grief into a witness stand for grace.
And it’s exactly what Ephesians 4:32 calls us to:
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
You see, forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending the hurt didn’t happen. It doesn’t mean forgetting or trusting someone who hasn’t changed. But it does mean letting go of the right to seek revenge. It means releasing the weight of bitterness that keeps us chained to the past.
I’ve carried grudges before. Maybe you have too. They feel justified… at first. But over time, they begin to change us. They harden us. They isolate us. And worst of all, they steal the peace Jesus died to give us.
Friend, refusing to forgive keeps us locked up in a prison we built ourselves. But choosing to forgive—because God has forgiven us—that’s where freedom lives.
“Father, thank You for forgiving us through Jesus—fully, freely, forever. Help us forgive others with the same mercy You’ve shown us. Where our hearts are hard, soften them. Where we’re holding on, help us let go. And where we’re hurting, bring healing. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Come back next time for more truth, more peace, and more of God’s Word right in the middle of your busy life.
And if today’s episode reminded you of someone who needs to hear it, go ahead and send it their way. You can send them to dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/35. I’ll also have the link in the show notes. You never know what God might do through your simple act of sharing.
Thanks for joining me today on Daily Devotions for Busy Lives. Remember—true freedom starts with forgiveness.
Come back next time for more encouragement to help you live grounded in God’s truth. Until then, God bless, and have a great day!
