Our passion here at Forgiving Forward is to help people experience the freedom of the Gospel through the power of forgiveness. There are multiple ways we work at accomplishing this, but perhaps our most effective way is through our one-on-one coaching.

Do you remember the day you accepted Christ as your Savior? Do you remember the joy you felt knowing that you had been forgiven—that Christ loved you so much that He took the penalty for your sin, and with the Holy Spirit given to you as a seal, you would never be separated from Him? (Ephesians 1:13-14) Do you remember your experience of moving from Death to Life?

In Psalm 51:12, David pleads with God, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” Why would David, the one Scripture refers to as a “man after God’s own heart”, ask for that? Because David had sinned—grievously—by committing adultery and murder, and the weight of his guilt had crushed his spirit. His sin stole his joy. In Psalm 32:3–4, he reflects on that same experience: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” Sin is ultimately against God, not us, but that sin deeply wounds us and robs us of joy.

When we don’t forgive those in our lives who have wounded us, we sin against God, AND we wound ourselves. As children of God, we are commanded to forgive. To not forgive is to essentially say, “Father, the blood of Your Son is not enough to satisfy me. I need something more.” (1 John 2:2). God, as our loving Father, then disciplines us, His children, by allowing us to experience torment when we don’t forgive the wounds others have inflicted or that we have inflicted. Like David, we can experience a lack of joy, a heavy weight, depression, sadness, guilt, and much more. However, when someone chooses to forgive, God removes the tormentors and restores His joy to the heart of His forgiving child. And we have found that most people who need to forgive, need help doing so.

It is such a privilege to witness people week after week set free from the weight of the torment they have carried for so long. It is nothing short of miraculous! Here are some testimonies (the names have been changed to protect the forgiven):

Beth was pimped out by her siblings for money. She had five different fathers. After forgiving, she cried, “My stomach pain is gone. This feeling is better than fresh air. The boulder I have carried for so long is gone!”
Mary witnessed her father’s unfaithfulness and was asked if she would like this woman to be her stepmother. After forgiving, she said, “I feel so good. There is a calmness inside me, and the ball of chaotic emotions is gone.”
Lisa was raped as a young teenager. When she cried out to her parents, they didn’t believe her, but shamed her. After forgiving, she described her heart by saying, “My heart no longer feels empty, but full—full of love. I want to hug everyone who wounded me.”
Karl was controlled by anger. His parents did not discipline him, and he felt they didn’t love him because he was left to raise himself with no guidance. After he forgave himself—believing that God had forgiven him—he felt “clean.” Months later, his family is still talking about how free he continues to live.
Sarah was only seven years old when she witnessed her grandmother trying to commit suicide by hanging herself. She was the one who called 911 and saved her grandmother’s life. A few years later, her father tried to drown himself. In trying to save his life, her father said, “I would rather die than be around you.” Sarah chose to forgive these horrific events and more. After forgiving, she said, “The weight is lifted. I feel so much better. My mind is clear.”
Joe forgave a lifelong friend who rejected him and hadn’t talked to him in years. The day after he forgave, this old friend texted him out of the blue and repented of his behavior from years ago. They were reconciled.
Cheryl forgave her son, who was estranged from her for months. As she was ending her coaching session by asking God to bless him, her son called her. What timing!
Melissa was used as a punching bag for her violent father. She was dragged across the ground by her hair. She was sexually abused, and while her father was choking her, he said, “My life would be better without you.” Melissa forgave through blinding tears, then she said, “The hate and bitterness are gone! I feel hope and peace. I can breathe again.”

We could share with you story after story of the power of Jesus’ sacrifice and blood being applied to the wounds of someone’s heart. Each week, our team helps people all around the globe find freedom through forgiving. Our passion is to help you rediscover the joy Christ died for you to experience. You can choose to walk in obedience by forgiving—and we can help you!

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