Welcome to Jesus is Calling Devotional for January 3, 2025. God is set to speak to you.

TOPIC: The Power of Forgiveness 

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 4:32

Hurt can really mess us up. Like, when someone does something bad to us, it sticks. You start thinking about it all the time. It gets heavy, like a rock in your heart. It’s like carrying something that’s too big for you. You can’t smile properly. You can’t even enjoy the good stuff around you.

The hurt kind of takes over, and you just feel stuck. I’ve been there, and it’s not fun. You can miss out on all the good things God wants to give you because you’re holding on to the pain.

But then, forgiveness comes in. You know, Jesus taught us about this a lot. He said something that really gets me every time. If you don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive you (Matthew 6:15). That’s serious. Jesus forgave people even when they were being so mean to Him. Like, He was on the cross, dying, and still said, “Father, forgive them.” That’s love right there. If He can do it, maybe we can at least try, right? It’s not easy, but it’s necessary if we want our hearts to be free and God to be happy with us.

Forgiveness has some cool benefits too. First, it sets you free. You don’t have to carry that heavy rock of anger anymore. It’s like your heart gets lighter, and you can finally breathe. Second, it helps you heal. When you forgive, you stop reopening the wound. It’s like putting a bandage on and letting God take care of it. Your soul starts to feel whole again.

Another benefit is that forgiveness brings peace. Like, real peace. You stop fighting battles in your head. You sleep better, you smile more, and you feel closer to God. And, honestly, don’t we all want that? Plus, when you forgive, you show God’s love to others. It’s like saying, “I’m not perfect either, but God forgives me, so I’ll forgive you.” It makes the world a better place.

So, don’t wait. Forgive today. Whoever hurt you, let it go. I know it’s hard. Trust me, I know. But do it for yourself, for your peace, and for God. You can pray about it and ask God to help you. He knows it’s tough, but He’s there to make it easier. Just take that first step. You’ll feel so much better.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for teaching us about forgiveness. I know it’s hard sometimes to let go of the pain. But I want to forgive, just like You forgive me. Help me let go of the hurt and anger. Fill my heart with peace and love. Teach me to forgive like Jesus did, even when it feels impossible. Thank You for loving me and for helping me every day. Amen.

Note: Jesus is Calling Devotional is different from Jesus Calling Devotional by Sarah Young.