Forgiveness Brings Healing

Everyone has gone through painful experiences that leave emotional scars. Some have been betrayed, insulted, or hurt by those closest to them. Such wounds often give rise to anger, disappointment, and bitterness. However, forgiveness paves the way to peace and emotional freedom.

What Happened to Me

In 2017, I was tested by family problems to the point where it felt like my world was crashing. While picking up my younger sibling from work, I received a call from my mother telling me about my father’s affair. I tried to be strong for my sibling, but tears finally broke out in the car.

The father figure who was supposedly a role model was destroyed in an instant due to selfishness. Since then, bitterness began to fill my heart, and I wanted to run away from everyone and cut off all contact.

Admitting that it Hurts

I took a week off to calm down. During that time, I realised that God was planning a new beginning for me. I prayed, but all that came out was tears. I asked, “Why is all this happening when I’m serving God full-time?” But God touched my heart by saying, “Forgive, even though it hurts.”

But I couldn’t do it in my own strength. The wound was too deep. But God strengthened me to forgive. I learned that forgiveness is not just forgetting or “closing the case” but acknowledging the wound and surrendering it to God. Forgiveness symbolises God’s love and grace. It’s not just a choice, but a command (Matthew 6:12).

The Healing Process

God was very good to me throughout the healing process. If it weren’t for Him, I wouldn’t have felt so much peace. Over time, the burden I carried became lighter because I chose to go to my Heavenly Father, answering His invitation to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

I thank God that healing was not just for me personally, but for my whole family. By the end of 2017, the forgiveness led to trust, unity, and rebuilding relationships that were broken. It paved the way for unity in my family under God’s leadership.

Final Thoughts and Reflection

The forgiveness journey was not easy, but I learned that emotional healing can only happen with God’s involvement. Sometimes we try to heal on our own, but it is only temporary and the bitterness can resurface.

As Christians, we have a God who He hears us, comforts us, and longs to help us. All we need to do is go to Him and pour out our feelings. Psalm 118:5 says, “When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.” If we are struggling to forgive, do it with love “for love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

There is a song that is my prayer to this day, and I hope it will bless you too. It’s called Pemulihan Keluarga (Family Healing) by Indonesian Christian singer Maria Shandi.