I knew a man who told a powerful story from the Jesus movement in the 1970s. He remembered when a man possessed by an evil spirit came into a gathering and caused trouble. Four elders were there, and they tried to hold the man, who was foaming at the mouth and shouting. In that tense moment, the storyteller realized he needed to admit his own secret sins and ask for forgiveness if he wanted spiritual authority. As they prayed, the possessed man started naming the hidden sins of each elder: “You’ve done this, and you’ve done that.” When he reached the storyteller, he said nothing.

He told Hannah and me that the silence happened because God had hidden his sins from the demoniac. But Hannah gently corrected him, saying, “No sir, it’s because once you ask for forgiveness, your sins no longer exist. The moment you seek forgiveness, they are wiped away.” Isn’t that amazing? If God can do that for us, we can also show grace to others. We can choose to let go, forgive, love, and pray for people. When we pray with grace and forgiveness, doors open, and prayers are answered. It’s often holding onto grudges or unforgiveness that builds walls in our lives. Today, let’s let go of those burdens.

My friend, today let’s choose to surrender. Surrender means giving God the hard things in our hearts, especially the people we struggle to forgive. Maybe someone comes to mind right now. You can decide to let go. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you have to be their friend or see them often. It simply means you let go of the hurt. Sometimes forgiveness takes time. As you remember how God forgives you, He can help you forgive others too.