The Power of Forgiveness: Releasing the Past to Embrace Peace

Over the last few months, I’ve been on a journey to rediscover who I am—and to finally let go of everything that’s held me back. I know I’ve touched on this before, but recently, it feels like I’ve come face-to-face with a wall I didn’t know I’d built. A wall made of unspoken pain, shame, and the lingering shadows of my past.

In my effort to become the best version of myself—not just for me, but also for my new relationship—I’ve been pushed to confront parts of myself I thought were long buried. For the longest time, I kept one specific year of my life very private. I didn’t want it to define me. I didn’t want to seem like a burden.

But I’ve come to realize this: the people who truly care about you don’t see you as broken or damaged. They see you as you. Strong. Whole. Beautiful. And worthy of love.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to dig deep into my hidden pain. It wasn’t easy. But something extraordinary happened—I felt a shift. A spiritual release. I’m not one to preach, but I need to say this: there is power in what Jesus did for us. By taking on our pain, He gave us a path to freedom from shame. We don’t have to carry the sins of others or the lies they told us about ourselves.

Forgiveness—real, raw forgiveness—is powerful. For a long time, I thought I was strong because I had buried the pain and numbed myself to it. But I now understand: true strength is in facing the pain, feeling it, and letting it go. It’s saying, “I see what happened. I acknowledge it. And I forgive you—not for you, but for me.”

That kind of strength can’t be faked. And though I still have some forgiving to do, I feel lighter. More whole. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m really starting to live.