The Un-Muscling of the Soul.

Hey there, friends.

We all know the drill: “Forgive and forget.” Easier said than done, right? Forgiveness. It’s one of those words that gets thrown around a lot, but honestly, what does it even mean?

To me, forgiveness isn’t about pretending something hurtful never happened. It’s not about condoning bad behavior or letting people off the hook for their actions. Forgiveness, at its core, is about un-muscling your soul.

Think about it. When someone hurts us, it’s like they’ve thrown a punch. We clench our fists, tense our shoulders, and hold onto that anger. We build a fortress around our hearts, convinced that holding onto that pain somehow gives us power. But here’s the thing: holding onto anger is exhausting. It’s like constantly carrying a heavy weight around with you. It drains your energy, steals your joy, and keeps you stuck in the past.

Forgiveness isn’t about letting the other person off the hook. It’s about setting yourself free. It’s about choosing to release the grip of that anger, that resentment, that bitterness. It’s about choosing to stop letting the past dictate your present.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But Scott, what about justice? What about accountability?”

Justice is important. Accountability is important. But forgiveness doesn’t negate those things. They can exist side-by-side. Forgiveness is about your inner healing. It’s about choosing to break the chains of the past and step into a life of freedom and peace.

Forgiveness isn’t always easy. Sometimes it feels impossible. But I believe that true freedom comes when we choose to un-muscle our souls, to release the grip of the past, and to step into a life of love and grace.

What do you think? What does forgiveness mean to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Grace and Peace,
Pastorsponderings.