The Blessing of Forgiveness: Start the New Year with Peace

Start by forgiving. That can be easier said than done, especially when we’re in the middle of the emotional turmoil caused by someone else’s actions. Sometimes the hurt feels so deep that we wonder if we’ll ever move past it.

Over the holidays, as I was scrolling through my social media feed, I came across a quote that caught my attention: “Bitterness keeps you from flying.” It made me pause. I found myself wondering how something like bitterness could hold us back so much.

As we step into a fresh new year, it’s a good time to reflect on the past. It’s also a chance to rethink what forgiveness really looks like in our own lives.

The Word For You Today

On my forgiveness journey, I humbly started the new year by reading the first devotional from The Word For You Today - Start by Forgiving:

“If you would like to start the New Year with a clean slate and travelling lighter, let go of the old grudges that are weighing you down. Philip Yancey described forgiveness as “an unnatural act.” He said, “You don’t find dolphins forgiving sharks for eating their playmates. It’s a dog-eat-dog world...not dog-forgive-dog.” Bitterness and hatred come naturally when you have been hurt. Forgiving is supernatural and requires the grace of God, but remember, Jesus said, “if you do not forgive...your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15 NIV).

Think about it - there is not one single solitary reason God should ever forgive our sins, yet the offenses He pardons us for every day far outweigh anything we will ever be asked to forgive our parents, spouses, and friends for. The Bible says forgive “each other...as God forgave you.” Forgiveness opens the doors of a prison, where you are both the prisoner and the jailor. Grudges not only isolate you from people who were once friends, they shorten your life by producing deadly enzymes that contribute to a host of physical ailments.

One man told his counsellor, “I wish my brother could come to my wedding, but we haven’t spoken in years.” The counsellor asked, “How come?” Pausing, the man replied, “It sounds ridiculous now, but I don’t even remember!” Drifting apart is the natural result of an unforgiving spirit; forgiveness reverses the trend by healing broken relationships. It’s a scientific fact that forgiveness adds years to your life. As a rule, when you talk to individuals who have passed the eighty-year mark, you find they’re at peace with themselves because they have learned to forgive and let go.”

“Forgiving each other...as...God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV

How does God’s Love help us to Forgive?

After reading the passage above, I was deeply moved. I realized that forgiveness does not mean forgetting the hurt or excusing what happened. Instead, forgiveness is choosing to surrender our pain to God and trusting Him with justice and healing.

Forgiveness can feel supernatural. When we forgive, we release our anger and give that burden to God. In return, we can experience a deeper sense of peace. We begin to embrace the freedom that comes from His love.

Forgiveness is not always easy. But it is a powerful step toward peace, joy, and spiritual growth. Through faith, we can find the strength to forgive. And through that forgiveness, we experience the transforming power of God’s love in our lives. What a beautiful blessing to carry into the new year.

Conclusion

Forgiveness and healing can take time, and that’s okay. It’s important to move at your own pace. With faith, we can find the strength to forgive. When we do, we open our hearts to the freedom and healing that come from God’s love.

As we practice forgiveness each day in the new year, our hearts can be filled with His joy.

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