Sometimes there’s no worse feeling than realizing someone has done something truly terrible — and somehow, it’s your job to forgive them.
Maybe they lied. Maybe they betrayed you, hurt someone you love, or caused real harm in the world. You're the one who’s been wounded… and yet you're the one who has to take the high road?
It can feel unfair. Like you’re being asked to carry the burden of making peace — when the other person hasn't even apologized.
Honestly, getting started on forgiveness can be one of the most uncomfortable parts of the spiritual path.
There’s a moment — sometimes many moments — where forgiveness feels like giving up your sense of justice. Like letting someone “get away with it.” Like betraying your own pain.
And that’s where we need to pause and shift how we understand forgiveness.
Forgiveness isn’t saying it was okay.
It’s not pretending something didn’t hurt, or that it wasn’t wrong.
Forgiveness is saying:
“I refuse to let this pain rule my life any longer.”
It’s choosing freedom.
It’s choosing peace.
It’s choosing to stop carrying the energy of a harmful person or situation in your nervous system, your body, your thoughts.
When we forgive, we’re not excusing the behavior.
We’re releasing the hold it has on us.
It may feel hard at first — like you're being asked to let go when what you really want is justice.
But forgiveness doesn’t deny justice.
It simply says: “I trust that the universe, God, karma, or the soul's own journey will handle that part. My job is to reclaim my peace.”
You’re not letting them off the hook.
You're letting yourself off the hook.
You're not forgetting what happened.
You're simply choosing not to let it poison your spirit any longer.
You don't have to invite them over to dinner. You don't even have to be anywhere near them if you don't want to.
Jesus washed their feet. But luckily, that is not being asked of us. We are only asked to forgive.
It's sometimes hard to get started at, but with a little practice, we can do it readily and easily.
Forgiveness isn’t weakness.
It’s power.
It’s strength.
And sometimes — it’s the bravest thing you’ll ever do.
Want to go deeper into forgiveness?
- Explore how forgiveness reconnects us to divine compassion in Unblocking our Connection to Love.
- My book, Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness, offers heartfelt guidance, spiritual tools, and real-life practices. Read it on Amazon →
- Let daily affirmations support you too — discover the Forgiveness Metta Card Deck for a gentle morning practice of peace and release. View the deck on Etsy →
Let these tools light your path — because forgiveness sets you free.
— Sue Pipal