Day 13: Forgive One Another
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. –Colossians 3:13
Do you ever feel like you have this innate purpose to seek justice in wrongs of this world? It may be in simple things, like when there’s a mistake on your coffee order, or you’re treated rudely by a store employee. Or maybe in life-shattering situations, where you’ve been deeply wounded or have lost someone at the hands of choices made by another. Maybe it’s just me, but something rises up in me that feels the need to seek justice, and right the wrongs. In 2019, our family was rocked by a wrongdoing, when our young boys watched me be physically assaulted by three young men. While of course we are thankful that legal justice was served to these individuals for the choices they made, I was presented with the opportunity of how I’d respond to them, when I got to face them again. Would I tell them how wrong they were? How much hurt their actions caused? How glad I was that they were caught/sentenced?
God is calling us to a very different response in Colossians 3:13. He is reminding us that there is just one judge, just one who holds the place of holding us accountable to our choices. The truth is, we weren’t created to bear the weight that unforgiveness brings. Resentment, bitterness, obsession, anger, vengeance…These grow with a fury wherever we allow them to take root. But extending GRACE…choosing to offer forgiveness…while the world may want us to believe this is a response of weakness, there is immense power when we forgive.
Months after the assault, God gave me the surreal opportunity to look each of these 3 young men in the eyes at their sentencing hearings, and make a victim impact statement. While I was incredibly nervous, I can’t describe the power and tenderness of those moments. The courtroom was silent, and the chance to use my voice to speak forgiveness over them shook my spirit. “There is a God who loves you more than you’ll ever know, and He has a plan and purpose for your life.” This isn’t what they expected to hear from me, and it was an honor for God to use me in sharing this truth.
Let’s also set one thing straight: Forgiveness is NOT declaring that what someone did was ok. Not at all. Instead, it’s choosing to remove continued judgment from someone for their actions. Remember the end of that verse in Colossians? “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” God never said our sin was ok, but He said we are forgiven in spite of our sin, because of Jesus.
When we choose to forgive, we not only set ourselves free from clinging to the wrongs we’ve experienced, but we become a true example of Christ to the one who’s hearing us say, “I forgive you”. We have a unique way to open a door for others to see how much Jesus really loves them, and how he offers them open arms of forgiveness. We certainly aren’t worthy to receive the gift of forgiveness that the Lord offers us, and what an honor to have the chance to share a glimpse of His grace with others.
Prayer
Lord, we need to be reminded that You are so much bigger than the wrongs in this world. Help us to see others through your eyes, and to lay down the burden of unforgiveness. We pray for strength to breathe the words, “I forgive you”, and for you to open the hearts of those who hear this. Thank you for the forgiveness you offer us through Jesus and help us to share your heart with those around us.
Renee Von Gunten is a wife, mom of two boys, and a big fan of laughter, conversations, and making ordinary life a little more fun. She has been on PCC staff for 3 years, and currently coordinates various ministries, including working with our Bethel University students. She’s often juggling a lot, learning as she goes, and trying to notice God in the middle of it all.
Follow along with 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting by listening to the daily audio devotionals on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. –Colossians 3:13
Do you ever feel like you have this innate purpose to seek justice in wrongs of this world? It may be in simple things, like when there’s a mistake on your coffee order, or you’re treated rudely by a store employee. Or maybe in life-shattering situations, where you’ve been deeply wounded or have lost someone at the hands of choices made by another. Maybe it’s just me, but something rises up in me that feels the need to seek justice, and right the wrongs. In 2019, our family was rocked by a wrongdoing, when our young boys watched me be physically assaulted by three young men. While of course we are thankful that legal justice was served to these individuals for the choices they made, I was presented with the opportunity of how I’d respond to them, when I got to face them again. Would I tell them how wrong they were? How much hurt their actions caused? How glad I was that they were caught/sentenced?
God is calling us to a very different response in Colossians 3:13. He is reminding us that there is just one judge, just one who holds the place of holding us accountable to our choices. The truth is, we weren’t created to bear the weight that unforgiveness brings. Resentment, bitterness, obsession, anger, vengeance…These grow with a fury wherever we allow them to take root. But extending GRACE…choosing to offer forgiveness…while the world may want us to believe this is a response of weakness, there is immense power when we forgive.
Months after the assault, God gave me the surreal opportunity to look each of these 3 young men in the eyes at their sentencing hearings, and make a victim impact statement. While I was incredibly nervous, I can’t describe the power and tenderness of those moments. The courtroom was silent, and the chance to use my voice to speak forgiveness over them shook my spirit. “There is a God who loves you more than you’ll ever know, and He has a plan and purpose for your life.” This isn’t what they expected to hear from me, and it was an honor for God to use me in sharing this truth.
Let’s also set one thing straight: Forgiveness is NOT declaring that what someone did was ok. Not at all. Instead, it’s choosing to remove continued judgment from someone for their actions. Remember the end of that verse in Colossians? “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” God never said our sin was ok, but He said we are forgiven in spite of our sin, because of Jesus.
When we choose to forgive, we not only set ourselves free from clinging to the wrongs we’ve experienced, but we become a true example of Christ to the one who’s hearing us say, “I forgive you”. We have a unique way to open a door for others to see how much Jesus really loves them, and how he offers them open arms of forgiveness. We certainly aren’t worthy to receive the gift of forgiveness that the Lord offers us, and what an honor to have the chance to share a glimpse of His grace with others.
Prayer
Lord, we need to be reminded that You are so much bigger than the wrongs in this world. Help us to see others through your eyes, and to lay down the burden of unforgiveness. We pray for strength to breathe the words, “I forgive you”, and for you to open the hearts of those who hear this. Thank you for the forgiveness you offer us through Jesus and help us to share your heart with those around us.
Renee Von Gunten is a wife, mom of two boys, and a big fan of laughter, conversations, and making ordinary life a little more fun. She has been on PCC staff for 3 years, and currently coordinates various ministries, including working with our Bethel University students. She’s often juggling a lot, learning as she goes, and trying to notice God in the middle of it all.
Follow along with 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting by listening to the daily audio devotionals on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2026