As long as you hate your enemy, a prisoner is taken. But, when you forgive, the prisoner is released, and that prisoner is you. -Max Lucado

You’ve been hurt. You’ve been wronged. You cannot let it go. It’s just not fair, and where is the justice?

God sees all

Part of your walk in Christ is to surrender yourself to Him. If you’re holding onto resentment or feelings of injustice, you’re choosing yourself over His will, which is to forgive and extend grace. The world should see Him in your walk, not you. Which path do you choose?

Easier said that done. How do I forgive?

This excellent In Touch Ministries devotional on the topic breaks it down:

At some point, no doubt, you have been hurt. Probably, a person you loved and trusted did something unthinkable—something so devastating it changed your whole perspective on that individual. When this happens, we have a choice either to wallow in self-pity or to forgive.

Forgiveness is the act of giving up both the resentment we have toward someone and the desire to retaliate. It involves three important steps.

• First, we must release the general feeling of resentment.
• Second, we must surrender specific feelings of resentment toward the individual.
• Third, we lay down all claims to retribution.

Read the whole devotional, which breaks down each step »

God has all the grace and forgiveness you need

The idea is that when you don’t have the forgiveness or grace to give, tap into God’s limitless grace and forgiveness. Forgive as He forgave you (Colossians 3:13).