Confession & Forgiveness: Love That Restores
As we continue the journey through our shared way of life, we recognize that one of the hardest parts of healing is facing the past. Whether it’s things we’ve done or ways we’ve been hurt, the weight of it can feel overwhelming. But God doesn’t leave us stuck in shame or bitterness. He invites us into a life of freedom—one where we are honest about our struggles, release the hurts we carry, and receive the grace that makes us whole.
This is what confession and forgiveness are all about. They are not about pretending everything is fine or ignoring pain. They are about letting God’s love restore us from the inside out.
Paul writes in Ephesians 3:17:
“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
Confession and forgiveness help us stay rooted in God’s love. They keep us from being trapped in the past and open us up to the healing that God wants to bring.
Forgiveness: Releasing the Weight of the Past
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful things we can do, but it’s also one of the hardest. It’s especially difficult when the wounds run deep. Sometimes we think forgiving means saying that what happened was okay, but that’s not true.
Forgiveness is not excusing harm or pretending we weren’t hurt. It is choosing to let go of the bitterness that keeps us stuck. It is trusting God to bring justice and healing instead of carrying the burden ourselves.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:32:
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
For many in recovery, one of the hardest things is learning to forgive ourselves. We carry regret for things we’ve done and people we’ve hurt. But if God has forgiven us, who are we to say we’re beyond grace?
Jesus himself showed this kind of love on the cross, saying in Luke 23:34:
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
If Jesus could forgive even in his deepest suffering, then we, too, are invited to forgive—not because it’s easy, but because it sets us free.
Confession: The Courage to Be Honest
If forgiveness helps us release what others have done, confession helps us release what we have done. It is not about shame but about truth. When we bring our mistakes into the light, we give God the chance to heal us.
James 5:16 says:
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Confession isn’t just between us and God. Healing happens in community. When we share our struggles with safe people, we are reminded that we are not alone. We are met with grace instead of judgment.
Confession is not about earning forgiveness. It is about stepping into the freedom that Jesus has already given us.
Living a Life of Confession and Forgiveness
How do we make confession and forgiveness a daily practice?
Be Honest with God – Tell God the truth about what you’re struggling with. He already knows, and His love for you hasn’t changed.
Choose to Forgive – Forgiveness is often a process, not a one-time event. Ask God for help in releasing resentment, even if it takes time and you have to do it over and over again.
Seek Safe People – Confession and accountability are powerful when we share with people who will remind us of God’s grace.
Pray Through the Pain – If old wounds come up, bring them to God. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting, but it does mean choosing love over bitterness. Praying for the person you are having trouble forgiving can often help soften the ground and help you become more willing to offer forgiveness.
Keep Moving Forward – Shame will try to keep you stuck. But God’s love is greater. Each day is a new chance to walk in grace.
An Invitation to Freedom
God doesn’t ask us to carry our past alone. Through confession and forgiveness, He invites us to lay it down and receive His love instead.
Is there something you need to confess? Is there someone you need to forgive?
Whatever step you take next, trust this: God’s love is already at work in you. He is healing, restoring, and making all things new.
