DAY 7 | Seeking His Strength | Mary Taylor
Forgiveness is one of the clearest indicators of a life surrendered to Jesus, and it's one of the hardest things God ever asks us to do. On our own, forgiveness feels impossible. Our hearts rehearse the hurt. Our minds justify holding on. Our emotions resist letting go. But Scripture never asks us to forgive in our own strength. It calls us to seek His.
Psalm 105:4 tells us to “look to the Lord and His strength,” and forgiveness is one of the places we need that strength most. Forgiving someone isn’t about pretending the pain didn’t matter. It’s about choosing not to let the pain define us. And that choice requires a power deeper than willpower. It requires the Holy Spirit.
In John 20:22–23, Jesus breathed on His disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit before commissioning them to forgive. Why? Because forgiveness is a supernatural act. It takes Holy Spirit to soften what’s hardened, to heal what’s broken, and to empower what feels impossible. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just help us forgive, He transforms our hearts until forgiveness becomes the overflow of His work within us.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” We forgive because we’ve been forgiven, but we are able to forgive because Holy Spirit strengthens us to do what our flesh refuses.
Maybe there’s someone you need to forgive today. Maybe it feels too heavy, too painful, too unfair. Here’s the good news: God never asks you to carry this alone. When you seek His face, He meets you with the grace, courage, and supernatural strength you cannot manufacture on your own.
As you walk into today, invite Holy Spirit into the places where forgiveness feels impossible. Let Him help you release what’s been gripping your heart. His strength is enough, and where His Spirit is, freedom follows.
Psalm 105:4 tells us to “look to the Lord and His strength,” and forgiveness is one of the places we need that strength most. Forgiving someone isn’t about pretending the pain didn’t matter. It’s about choosing not to let the pain define us. And that choice requires a power deeper than willpower. It requires the Holy Spirit.
In John 20:22–23, Jesus breathed on His disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit before commissioning them to forgive. Why? Because forgiveness is a supernatural act. It takes Holy Spirit to soften what’s hardened, to heal what’s broken, and to empower what feels impossible. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just help us forgive, He transforms our hearts until forgiveness becomes the overflow of His work within us.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” We forgive because we’ve been forgiven, but we are able to forgive because Holy Spirit strengthens us to do what our flesh refuses.
Maybe there’s someone you need to forgive today. Maybe it feels too heavy, too painful, too unfair. Here’s the good news: God never asks you to carry this alone. When you seek His face, He meets you with the grace, courage, and supernatural strength you cannot manufacture on your own.
As you walk into today, invite Holy Spirit into the places where forgiveness feels impossible. Let Him help you release what’s been gripping your heart. His strength is enough, and where His Spirit is, freedom follows.
Posted in 21 Days of Devos