How to Forgive Someone Who Hurt You

Forgiveness is one of the hardest and most freeing things we ever do. It doesn't excuse the wrong, it releases you from carrying it. Here's how to begin.

Forgiving someone does not mean pretending the hurt didn't happen or that it didn't matter. It means choosing to let go of the debt, so bitterness no longer owns you. With God's help, even the impossible becomes possible.

Be honest about the hurt

Name what happened. Forgiveness that skips the pain isn't real; God can handle your honesty.

Remember your own forgiveness

We forgive because we have been forgiven so much ourselves. That changes everything.

Choose to release it

Forgiveness is a decision before it is a feeling. Choose to hand the debt to God.

Pray for them

Jesus said to pray for those who hurt us. It softens our own hearts as much as anything.

Let it be a process

Deep wounds may need to be forgiven again and again. That's not failure; that's healing, and for the deepest ones, seek a wise counselor.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:32 · King James Version (public domain)

Pray for grace to forgive More guides Who is Jesus?

Keep it in the app