“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 ESV
Forgiveness is one of the most beautiful, and difficult, commands in Scripture. Mark Twain once wrote, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” That image perfectly captures the heart of Ephesians 4:32.
When someone wounds us, it can feel like being trampled underfoot, overlooked, disrespected, or deeply hurt. The pain is real, and God never asks us to pretend otherwise. But He does invite us to choose our response. We can cling to the bitterness left behind by the boot, or we can release forgiveness that rises like a sweet fragrance from a crushed flower.
Forgiveness does not excuse wrong behavior, nor does it deny the hurt. Instead, it reflects Christ. Jesus forgave us when we were undeserving, offering kindness and mercy in place of judgment. When we forgive, we mirror His heart and free ourselves from the heavy burden of resentment.
Choosing forgiveness is an act of obedience, but it is also an act of worship. It softens our hearts, restores our joy, and allows God’s grace to flow through us, even in the places where we’ve been hurt the most.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the forgiveness You have freely given me through Jesus. You know the places where my heart has been hurt and where forgiveness feels hard. Help me to be kind and tenderhearted, just as You are with me. Teach me to forgive as You have forgiven me—not in my own strength, but through Your grace. Let my life reflect the sweet fragrance of Your love, even in painful places. I surrender every hurt to You and trust You to heal my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.