Among all the acts a Christian can take, forgiving is one of the bravest and also the hardest when life’s problems have hurt you deeply. Forgiving is easy if the problem is something minor such as forgetting someone’s birthday, saying something you didn’t mean, or having a misunderstanding. Yet there are times when the pain is so intense it feels like you have been stabbed in the heart. When you feel so much hurt and pain caused by a person’s actions, how can you forgive as Jesus did?
Such questions have actual meaning in the lives of people. It’s real. It’s messy. It can change someone’s life. While on the rough cross, Jesus was savagely attacked and abandoned, so He offered words that forever changed our understanding of forgiveness.
“Father, please forgive them because they are not aware of what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
They were not meant to be enjoyed as lovely phrases only. They were calls for compassion, a way to encourage people to receive the amazing grace available only through Christ. Being like Jesus and forgiving another person is very challenging. At the same time, it leads to real freedom, a powerful force that cannot be stopped by feelings of anger, bitterness, or hatred.
So, if you find yourself trying to forgive and decide what to do next, you should know others are in the same situation. Let’s focus on what makes Jesus different from us and see just how we can overcome the challenges of forgiving in any situation.
How to Forgive Like Jesus in Tough Situations
A Message for Christians to Forgive Others
Instead of complaining as people screamed insults at Him, Jesus declared the true meaning of forgiveness on the cross.
Jesus says to his Father, “Father, forgive them because they do not understand what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Those words were more like instructions, showing care and a kind attitude. Even though the people who mocked or betrayed Jesus had hurt Him, He forgave each of them.
According to Jesus, His followers are required to forgive others. Being part of the Kingdom of God is characterized by this:
“However, I tell you to love your enemies and to pray for those who mistreat you,” Matthew 5:44
This encourages us to ignore our instinctive anger and ask for Christ’s help even if it seems nearly impossible to do so.
Why should we forgive others just as Jesus did?
How forgiving like Jesus matters in tough moments should be considered before looking at the steps of how to do it.
1. Forgiving Helps You Move on
Having unforgiveness is similar to carrying a bag full of rocks on your back. After every possible injury, wrongdoing, and betrayal, the weight increases. Jesus advises us to remove that burden from our shoulders.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Allowing yourself to forgive others brings God’s peace to your life and removes bitterness.
2. It demonstrates God’s mercy.
We can forgive since we have been forgiven, even though we had no right to be forgiven. Jesus stepped in to pay for our sins, even though these are things we didn’t deserve:
Try to be considerate towards each other, offering forgiveness, because God forgave you after you accepted him in your hearts. Ephesians 4:32
Showing compassion and forgiveness like Jesus helps our world, which is in great need of love.
3. It Breaks the Cycle of Hurt
When someone does not forgive, they may end up causing pain to others themselves. For this reason, accepting forgiveness helps stop the cycle and allows God’s healing power to reach our hearts and the people around us.
How to Forgive when the Situations Are Tough
At this point, we must ask ourselves, ‘How can we forgive like Jesus when we hurt so much? Following are some practical ways from the Bible:
1. Acknowledge the Pain Honestly
Jesus did not try to lessen the importance of suffering. He became very sad as he stood before Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:35). His perspiration on that night in Gethsemane was mixed with blood (Luke 22:44). To start the process of forgiveness, you have to first admit what you feel and bring it to God. Trying to act like everything is fine doesn’t help, it leads to your feelings getting worse.
Tip: jot down all the things that made you upset. Ask for Divine help. Don’t be afraid to reveal to God the way you feel—anger, disappointment, or betrayal.
2. Pray so that you can forgive those who have wronged you.
Even if we do not have certain feelings, forgiveness is still a choice made under the influence of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was going through the most difficult time in His life, He prayed for help. Because the disciples couldn’t pray as they should, Jesus went to the Father to ask for help (Luke 22:41-43).
Pray as much as you can to forgive even if your heart or mind isn’t ready.
3. Leave the punishment to God.
Jesus let go of His troubles and the mistreatment from others to the Father.
“Father, may my spirit depend upon you.” Luke 23:46
Likewise, letting God take care of the offender is the right thing to do. Forgiveness does not excuse someone from wrongdoing; it means you trust God to deal with them in the right manner. Romans 12:19 gives us this advice.
Do not try to avenge yourself and, your friends, but allow God to show His anger.
It’s particularly important to do this when the offense is something serious such as abuse or betrayal.
4. Bless, Don’t Curse
He counselled us to always bless people who hate us (Luke 6:28). Still, you do not need to act as if nothing happened or suddenly become friends with the other person. It means that bitterness won’t be allowed to grow in your life.
Ask God to change the hearts of your friends, provide them with healing, and help them follow His plan for their lives. By doing this act, you put your attention on what God is working on in the other person’s heart.
5. Make sure you have healthy boundaries with your friends and family.
Being forgiving doesn’t require you to accept any continuous or abusive treatment. Jesus was compassionate, yet He also explained what was allowed and what wasn’t.
He pointed out the false idealism of the Pharisees (Matthew 23).
Jesus retreated from the groups that wanted to argue with him (John 10:39).
At times, he spent time alone to offer his prayers (Mark 1:35).
It’s important to forgive from your heart, but don’t hesitate to take action to remain safe if you should.
6. Remember God’s Forgiveness Toward You
If forgiveness is tough for you, look at the cross. When we were still sinning, Jesus took the time to forgive us (Romans 5:8). He chose not to wait for anyone to apologize. He was the one who initiated the step.
Remember how God has forgiven you and let that motivate you to forgive others in your life.
Real-Life Examples of Forgiveness
One time, Corrie ten Boom came across a guard who had mistreated her in a concentration camp. He asked her to forgive him. She felt stuck, but by praying, she received God’s love. She was able to forgive him, thanks only to Jesus’ power.
Another case in point is Stephen, the man who was the first Christian martyr. As stones were raining down, he began to cry.
“Lord, forgive the sins of these people,” the disciple said.
These stories prove that we can’t forgive as Jesus did, but the Holy Spirit makes it possible for anyone who believes.
How Forgiveness Makes Life Better
Forgiving someone is important not only for them but also for you. Picking forgiveness like Jesus does opens your heart to peace and healing from God. Hatred and anger disappear. Resentment starts to let go. You enter God’s love, which is so strong that it changes all kinds of challenging moments.
Conclusion: Forgive Like Jesus—Even When It’s Hard
Jesus’ forgiveness means changing the way a person feels, not only complying with the rules. This means the Gospel shows there is a love so strong and unbeatable that it resolves the greatest problems. Deciding to forgive in the way Jesus teaches can make you kinder and keep hatred, resentment, and tough emotions away.
To forgive truly is to choose a way of living that reveals the incredible power we get from Christ’s great love. You decide to release the anger and have faith that God will make things right at the appropriate time. It needs taking back the power from hurt, leveraging one’s courage to grow, and embracing the full freedom Christ has for us.
When you feel as though forgiving is out of reach, let your pain show, and letting revenge take over seems fair, understand you share your feelings with many people. The one who prayed for forgiveness of his killers is still working to empower you for forgiveness. Because God’s Holy Spirit is in you, it gives you the power to pick love, freedom, and hope instead of hate, bondage, and despair.
Forgive others like Jesus. Just like basics in sports, because it brings significant change. It allows you to feel a sense of freedom. Since Jesus’s love is at the centre of the Gospel, shining it helps a world in need of healing. Forgive others in the same way Jesus did, and you will see how suffering can prove how much God cares and what He is capable of.
You can also read up: Forgiveness in the Bible: Quotes, Meaning, and Lessons for Life.