Day 6: Forgiveness While They’re Still Hurting You
Scripture Focus
Luke 23:34 (NLT)
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’”
Devotional
Dear Resilient Woman of God,
Some of the deepest pain doesn’t come from the past.
It comes from the people still in your life.
The ones still throwing darts.
Still trying to sabotage your name.
Still acting like you owe them something.
Still ignoring your healing, downplaying your growth, and taking advantage of your grace.
And here’s the hard truth…
God still calls you to forgive them.
Not after they stop.
Not after they say sorry.
Not after they realize what they’ve done.
Jesus didn’t wait either.
While they were mocking Him, beating Him, and nailing Him to the cross —
He prayed for their forgiveness.
He didn’t say it once they changed.
He said it while they were still wounding Him.
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” — Luke 23:34
That’s not weakness.
That’s power.
That’s spiritual maturity.
That’s the kind of forgiveness that breaks curses and sets generations free.
Let’s Be Real
You might be trying to heal in the same house where you were broken.
You might be raising children with someone who keeps hurting you emotionally.
You might be loving a parent who never protected you.
You might be leading while people you once trusted are still gossiping behind your back.
But hear this:
Forgiveness is not about letting them win — it’s about making sure the pain doesn’t stay in your spirit.
Because when unforgiveness stays, it turns into bitterness — and bitterness makes you bleed on people who didn’t cut you.
What Forgiveness Looks Like When They’re Still Hurting You
- You don’t pretend it doesn’t hurt. You bring the pain to God daily.
- You create healthy boundaries without harboring hate.
- You pray for them, not because they deserve it — but because you deserve peace.
- You stay obedient to God even when you’re still misunderstood.
Reflection Prompt
Ask yourself honestly:
- Who do I need to forgive that’s still in my life?
- Have I confused forgiveness with weakness?
- What does spiritual maturity look like for me in this situation?
Write a letter to God expressing how hard it is to keep forgiving, and ask Him for supernatural strength.
Challenge
Write this out and declare it out loud:
“I release the ones who are still trying to hurt me.
I do not give them access to my joy, my peace, or my spirit.
I forgive them — not because they changed, but because I did.
I will not carry their poison in my soul.
I bless them. I protect myself. And I walk free.”
Then pray for them — even if all you can say is, “God, help them.”
Closing Prayer
Father,
This kind of forgiveness feels impossible.
They’re still hurting me.
Still disrespecting me.
Still acting like I’m the one who caused the pain.
But I know You’ve called me higher.
Jesus, You forgave them in the middle of the crucifixion.
So today, I choose to follow Your example.
Give me strength to release them.
Heal my heart from what they keep doing.
Protect my spirit from bitterness.
Help me to love without letting people destroy me.
I don’t want to stay bound by what they did — I want to walk in the freedom You died to give me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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