Day 1 — When the Pit Is in You
Scripture: Genesis 45:1–3
More than ten years after being thrown into a pit by his brothers, Joseph stands face-to-face with them again. Only now the pit isn’t around him—it’s inside him.
You know that feeling.
The pit in your stomach when you see someone who hurt you.
The involuntary wave of memory.
The tension you didn’t invite but can’t ignore.
Joseph didn’t choose to feel emotion. He wept. He stepped away. He felt it deeply.
Forgiveness does not mean you don’t feel the pit. It means the pit does not control your response.
Reflect:
•Who brings back painful memories when you see them?
•What emotions rise up without your permission?
Prayer:
God, You see the pit in my stomach. Help me respond in a way that honors You.
Day 2 — Power Without Revenge
Scripture: Genesis 45:4–8
Joseph had power. Real power.
He could have imprisoned his brothers. Executed them. Paid them back.
Eye for eye. Pit for pit.
Instead, Joseph chose grace.
Long before Jesus said, “Love your enemies,” Joseph lived it. He refused to return evil for evil.
Forgiveness is most powerful when you have the right to retaliate but choose not to.
Reflect:
•Where do you secretly wish you could “even the score”?
•What would it look like to lay down your right to revenge?
Prayer:
Lord, when I have the power to hurt back, give me the strength to forgive instead.
Day 3 — What Forgiveness Is (And Isn’t)
Scripture: Ephesians 4:31–32
Forgiveness is often misunderstood.
Forgiveness is NOT:
•Saying what happened was okay.
•Minimizing sin.
•Instantly trusting again.
•Erasing consequences.
•An emotion.
Forgiveness IS:
A decision.
A decision to treat others as God has treated you.
A decision to let go of the debt.
A decision to stop demanding payment.
Jesus described forgiveness as “sending away” a debt. Paul described it as freely giving favor. Neither requires the offender to deserve it.
You forgive not because it was small—but because grace is bigger.
Reflect:
•Is there someone whose “debt” you are still holding?
•What would it mean to lay it aside?
Prayer:
Jesus, help me forgive the way You have forgiven me.
Day 4 — The Enemy’s Scheme
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:10–11
Paul says when we refuse to forgive, we are being outwitted by Satan.
Unforgiveness feels powerful—but it’s actually bondage.
Bitterness feels justified—but it slowly poisons joy.
Holding on feels strong—but it keeps the wound open.
The enemy’s scheme is simple:
Keep you replaying the hurt.
Keep you nursing the offense.
Keep you walking in bitterness.
Forgiveness breaks the scheme.
It doesn’t change the past.
It changes your freedom in the present.
Reflect:
•Where has bitterness quietly taken root?
•What has unforgiveness been stealing from you?
Prayer:
God, I don’t want to be outwitted by the enemy. Free me from bitterness.
Day 5 — Forgiven People Forgive People
Scripture: Colossians 3:13
Joseph forgave because God had shaped him.
Stephen forgave while being stoned because Jesus had transformed him.
Jesus forgave us while we were still sinners.
Our sin put Jesus in a pit of suffering.
Instead of fury, He gave forgiveness.
Instead of revenge, He gave grace.
When we understand how deeply we have been forgiven, we become grateful. And grateful people become forgiving people.
Forgiveness is not earned.
It is received.
And then it is given.
Reflect:
•Do you struggle more with giving forgiveness—or receiving it?
•Where is pride keeping you from accepting Christ’s grace?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for forgiving me. Teach me to give what I have received.
Scripture: Genesis 45:1–3
More than ten years after being thrown into a pit by his brothers, Joseph stands face-to-face with them again. Only now the pit isn’t around him—it’s inside him.
You know that feeling.
The pit in your stomach when you see someone who hurt you.
The involuntary wave of memory.
The tension you didn’t invite but can’t ignore.
Joseph didn’t choose to feel emotion. He wept. He stepped away. He felt it deeply.
Forgiveness does not mean you don’t feel the pit. It means the pit does not control your response.
Reflect:
•Who brings back painful memories when you see them?
•What emotions rise up without your permission?
Prayer:
God, You see the pit in my stomach. Help me respond in a way that honors You.
Day 2 — Power Without Revenge
Scripture: Genesis 45:4–8
Joseph had power. Real power.
He could have imprisoned his brothers. Executed them. Paid them back.
Eye for eye. Pit for pit.
Instead, Joseph chose grace.
Long before Jesus said, “Love your enemies,” Joseph lived it. He refused to return evil for evil.
Forgiveness is most powerful when you have the right to retaliate but choose not to.
Reflect:
•Where do you secretly wish you could “even the score”?
•What would it look like to lay down your right to revenge?
Prayer:
Lord, when I have the power to hurt back, give me the strength to forgive instead.
Day 3 — What Forgiveness Is (And Isn’t)
Scripture: Ephesians 4:31–32
Forgiveness is often misunderstood.
Forgiveness is NOT:
•Saying what happened was okay.
•Minimizing sin.
•Instantly trusting again.
•Erasing consequences.
•An emotion.
Forgiveness IS:
A decision.
A decision to treat others as God has treated you.
A decision to let go of the debt.
A decision to stop demanding payment.
Jesus described forgiveness as “sending away” a debt. Paul described it as freely giving favor. Neither requires the offender to deserve it.
You forgive not because it was small—but because grace is bigger.
Reflect:
•Is there someone whose “debt” you are still holding?
•What would it mean to lay it aside?
Prayer:
Jesus, help me forgive the way You have forgiven me.
Day 4 — The Enemy’s Scheme
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:10–11
Paul says when we refuse to forgive, we are being outwitted by Satan.
Unforgiveness feels powerful—but it’s actually bondage.
Bitterness feels justified—but it slowly poisons joy.
Holding on feels strong—but it keeps the wound open.
The enemy’s scheme is simple:
Keep you replaying the hurt.
Keep you nursing the offense.
Keep you walking in bitterness.
Forgiveness breaks the scheme.
It doesn’t change the past.
It changes your freedom in the present.
Reflect:
•Where has bitterness quietly taken root?
•What has unforgiveness been stealing from you?
Prayer:
God, I don’t want to be outwitted by the enemy. Free me from bitterness.
Day 5 — Forgiven People Forgive People
Scripture: Colossians 3:13
Joseph forgave because God had shaped him.
Stephen forgave while being stoned because Jesus had transformed him.
Jesus forgave us while we were still sinners.
Our sin put Jesus in a pit of suffering.
Instead of fury, He gave forgiveness.
Instead of revenge, He gave grace.
When we understand how deeply we have been forgiven, we become grateful. And grateful people become forgiving people.
Forgiveness is not earned.
It is received.
And then it is given.
Reflect:
•Do you struggle more with giving forgiveness—or receiving it?
•Where is pride keeping you from accepting Christ’s grace?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for forgiving me. Teach me to give what I have received.
Recent
Archive
2026
February