Bible/Advice/Resources

By Summer Lane

Photo: Deposit

Forgiveness is a simple concept, and yet it is something that can cause lifelong confusion and pain. So many hurting people need to forgive those who did them wrong – and so many of us need forgiveness for things that WE have done wrong, as well!

Forgiveness is a remarkably biblical concept. In fact, it’s a cornerstone of the Christian faith in many ways. Christ died for our sins, and with confession, repentance, and faith, we receive His good and perfect gift of forgiveness for our sins. In the same way, we are called to forgive others, even when they do not deserve it. Why? Because NONE of us deserve to be forgiven, anyway. When we dole out forgiveness, we are following God’s commands for us that are laid out in the Bible.

In Matthew 18:21-22, the Word says:

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Luke 6:37 also says: “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;”

Another example? Colossians 3:13: “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Forgiveness is not easy to give. This is especially true when someone has experienced extreme betrayal or abuse that has resulted in intense trauma in their lives. There are no better examples of this than the recent guests on the Counter Culture Mom Show, who shared their own journeys surviving abuse and horror and found it in their hearts to forgive those who harmed them.

Listen to their stories below and search your heart, like I searched mine, when I listened: how can I better give forgiveness to those who have wronged me?

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Carrie Sheffield

Forgiveness is easier said than done, and one woman warrior who has experienced the unthinkable is Carrie Sheffield. Carrie is the author of Motorhome Prophecies: A Journey of Healing and Forgiveness, in which she chronicles finding a way to forgive after a childhood of horrifying abuse at the hands of her cult-like father. Now, Carrie is an esteemed columnist and broadcaster who talks about the healing power of forgiveness through the grace of God. She discusses the uptick in depression and suicide across America, and why forgiveness is such an integral part of healing your own wounds – even if the other person doesn’t deserve it. She now shares her knowledge and wisdom with many others so they can learn to heal, too!

Joanna Lynne Torres

At just two years old, Joanna Lynne Torres watched her mother get murdered at the hands of a stranger. She managed to escape while the killer was discarding her mother’s body in an alley. Sadly, this was not the end of Joanna’s painful journey. She experienced abuse during her time in the foster care system as well as within her adopted family, which wounded her further. However, Joanna was able to go to therapy at the age of 19 and find a path toward healing and forgiveness that eventually paved the way for her to become a pregnancy and adoption counselor. With such a horrendous childhood, Joanna can speak to the power of forgiveness better than most, and she credits her relationship with Jesus as being a major reason.

Explore both of these profound stories of hurt and forgiveness in the two episodes below.

Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series and Resurrection Series. She is an experienced journalist and columnist who reports on news within the U.S. and abroad. She is the Associate Editor for Right Side Broadcasting Network. Additionally, she analyzes politics and policies on The Write Revolution.

Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats, and gardening. She is passionate about writing on women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.

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