You’ve probably had that moment where you walk back to your car and notice something that definitely was not there before.
That happened to me recently. I saw scratches and a long black streak across the corner of my bumper where somebody had scuffed the car. Thankfully, there wasn’t a big dent, but the damage was hard to miss.
I looked around for a note. Nothing. No “I’m sorry.” No phone number. The store cameras were no help either. Somebody had hit my car and just drove away, and I’ll admit, that made me angry. The scratches bothered me, but what really got to me was knowing someone had done it and taken no responsibility.
So I had to stop, take a breath, and talk to God about it. Eventually, through pretty gritted teeth, I said, “Lord, I forgive them.”
And I wish I could tell you I immediately felt peaceful after that, but I didn’t. The scratches were still there. Whoever hit the car still had not apologized. Forgiving them did not undo what happened or suddenly make it okay. It simply meant I was choosing to obey Jesus even though my feelings had not caught up yet.
Matthew 6:15 says, “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
That is a hard verse, especially when the hurt is real. But I’m learning that forgiveness is not always a feeling that shows up first. Sometimes it starts with a decision to obey God and trust Him with what happened. Maybe there is someone you know you need to forgive, but you’re waiting until you feel ready. I understand that. But sometimes obedience comes first, and the feelings take a little longer.
You can forgive even when you don’t feel like it.