Step 2: Remember God’s Forgiveness Toward You

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

Before we can truly extend forgiveness to others, we have to pause and reflect on the forgiveness we've already received. God's mercy toward us is the foundation for the mercy we show others. This week, we'll look at how remembering His grace gives us the strength—and the reason—to forgive, even when it's hard.

The only reason we can truly forgive is because we’ve been forgiven first. When we think about our own lives, how many times we’ve messed up, needed grace, or cried out for a second (or tenth) chance, we’re reminded that God didn’t hesitate to offer mercy. He gave it freely through Jesus.

Forgiveness doesn’t always feel fair, but grace never is.

When we grasp how deeply we’ve been forgiven, it softens our hearts toward others. It doesn’t mean what they did was okay. It doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt. It just means we choose to pass on what we’ve received.

Forgiveness is a gift—first given to us, now flowing through us. As we remember how patient and loving God has been with us, it becomes a little easier to loosen our grip on anger and extend the same compassion to others.