Selfish Reasons to Forgive

Scripture: Hebrews 12:15 (CEB) — “Watch out… so that no bitterness takes root and harms many people.”

Reflection
Forgiveness is spiritual—but it’s also practical. Hebrews warns that bitterness is not a private emotion; it’s a root system. Left alone, it spreads. It seeps into tone of voice, relationships, parenting, leadership, friendships. It doesn’t stay neatly contained in the place where it began.

One practical reason to forgive is that unforgiveness keeps you tied to the offender. Even if you never speak to them again, resentment keeps them living in your head rent-free. Forgiveness is a way of cutting the cord—not declaring what they did acceptable, but declaring you will not stay tethered.

Another reason is clarity. Bitterness clouds discernment. It can make you cynical, reactive, and quick to assume the worst. Forgiveness doesn’t make you gullible; it makes you clearer, because your decisions don’t have to be fueled by revenge or fear.

Forgiveness also creates emotional space for joy. Not forced positivity—real joy. When the inner life is consumed by replaying a wound, there’s little room left for gratitude, creativity, or tenderness. Forgiveness makes room again.

And finally: forgiveness is practice for the gospel itself. If we cannot imagine releasing others from debt, we will struggle to believe we are released. Forgiveness is one of the ways God trains our hearts to live in grace.

Application
Identify one “cost” of your bitterness (sleep, peace, relationships, focus). Then ask: “What would I gain if I began the work of forgiving?”

Prayer
God, uproot bitterness in me and grow the freedom that forgiveness brings.

Song“Let It Go” — James Bay