Forgiveness - Letting Go of Grudges and Bitterness

Let’sTalk Family! Welcome back to Let’s Talk God ‘N’ Christ—your go-to podcast for real talk about faith, life, and everything in between. I’m your host, Ngozi Ndubisi, and today, we’re diving into a topic that affects every single one of us.

Forgiveness
Yeah, you heard me right—forgiveness. But not just the surface-level, “I forgive but I won’t forget” kind. We’re talking about true, heart-deep, burden-lifting, life-changing forgiveness. The kind that sets YOU free.

Let me ask you this:
Have you ever been hurt so badly that even hearing the person’s name makes your stomach turn?

Maybe it was a friend who betrayed you.

1. A parent who let you down.
2. A spouse who broke your trust.
3. A boss who made your life miserable.

And if we’re being truthful, sometimes when we say we’ve forgiven, deep down, we’re still holding on. The pain, the anger, the bitterness—it lingers. But what some of us don't know, is that It eats away at our peace, our joy, even our relationship with God.

However, here’s the Good News: forgiveness is not about the other person—it’s about your own freedom.

So today, let’s break free. Let’s step into the power, the peace, and the healing that God has for us. Grab a cup of tea, find a quiet place, and let the Holy Spirit move.

Why Does Forgiveness Matter?

Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 6:14-15:
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

It’s heavy, but real and doable.
Jesus isn’t saying, “Forgive if you feel like it.”
He’s saying, “Forgive, because your own forgiveness depends on it.”

Let’s consider this for a moment; What if your blessings, your breakthrough, your next level is being held back by unforgiveness?

Forgiveness is not optional—it’s Kingdom culture.
And I get it. Forgiving isn’t easy. When someone wounds us, our flesh wants justice, an apology, something! But God is calling us higher.

What Forgiveness Is (And What It’s Not!)
Let’s Clear Up Some Misconceptions:

- Forgiveness does NOT mean forgetting.
- It does NOT mean excusing bad behavior.
- It does NOT mean trusting the person again.
- It does NOT mean pretending it never happened.

So What Does Forgiveness Mean?

- It means you release the need for revenge.
- It means you choose peace over bitterness.
- It means you trust GOD to handle justice.

Ephesians 4:32 says it beautifully:

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you."

If Jesus could forgive our flaws, failures, and sins, who are we to withhold forgiveness from others?

Examples of Forgiveness in the Bible and Beyond

Sometimes, the best way to understand forgiveness is to see it in action.

1. Joseph – The Man Who Had Every Right to Be Bitter
His own brothers sold him into slavery. He was falsely accused, thrown in prison, forgotten. But years later, when he had power over them, he chose mercy.
Genesis 50:20 says:
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good."
Joseph understood a truth we all need to grasp—forgiveness doesn’t just free the other person; it frees YOU.
2. Jesus – The Ultimate Example of Forgiveness
As He hung on the cross, bruised, bleeding, mocked by the very people He came to save, He said:
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." – (Luke 23:34)
Think about that for a second. If Jesus could forgive those who crucified Him, what excuse do we have?
3. Corrie ten Boom – Forgiving the Unforgivable
Corrie ten Boom survived a Nazi concentration camp where her sister was killed. Years later, one of the guards who tormented her asked for forgiveness. At first, she couldn’t do it. But then she realized:
"Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."
She forgave him—not because she felt like it, but because she chose to obey God.

How Do You Forgive? (Practical Steps)

I won’t lie to you. Forgiveness is hard.
But it’s not impossible—because the Holy Spirit is our helper.
Here’s how you start:

1. Acknowledge the Hurt
You can’t forgive what you won’t face. Be real with God about how you feel.
2. Make the Decision to Forgive
Forgiveness is not a feeling—it’s a choice. If you wait until you feel like forgiving, you may never do it.
3. Pray for the Person Who Hurt You
I know, I know—this one is HARD. But prayer changes things. Sometimes, God doesn’t remove the person—He removes the bitterness.
4. Seek Wise Counsel
You don’t have to go through this alone. Talk to a trusted friend, pastor, or mentor.
5. Remember How Much God Has Forgiven You
Let me ask you—how many times has God forgiven YOU?
That same grace He extends to you, He’s calling you to extend to others.

The Freedom That Comes with Forgiveness

Here’s the beautiful part—when you forgive, you set yourself free.

Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
It doesn’t hurt them. It hurts YOU.

So, who do you need to forgive today?
A parent who let you down?
A friend who betrayed you?
A boss who treated you unfairly?
A spouse who lied and hurt you?
Maybe… yourself?
Today, I challenge you—LET. IT. GO.
Forgiveness doesn’t change the past, but it changes YOUR future.

Let’s Pray

Father, we come before You today, bringing every hurt, every wound, every pain we’ve been carrying. Lord, we don’t want to be bound by bitterness anymore. Give us the grace and strength to forgive, just as You have forgiven us. Help us release the grudges, let go of resentment, and walk in the freedom that comes with Your love. We trust You to heal our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Finally Family, I hope this message stirred something in your spirit.
If today’s episode challenged you, encouraged you, or made you think, share it with someone who needs it.
And don’t forget—subscribe, follow, and stay connected with Let’s Talk God ‘N’ Christ.
Until next time, stay bold, stay faithful, and walk in freedom.