Tag: Waiting on God

Forgiveness Isn’t a Moment… It’s a Ministry

Scripture: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13, NIV)

I used to think forgiveness was a moment. Something you decide once, and that’s it. But I have learned that sometimes forgiveness becomes a ministry. Something you live out day by day, moment by moment, decision by decision.

When my wife left, I chose to forgive. And I have had to keep choosing… Every time a memory came back, every time sadness hit out of nowhere, every time a new revelation or event made the pain fresh again.

One afternoon, my daughter asked me a question that stopped me cold. She looked up at me and said, “Dad, why don’t you ever say anything bad about Mom?” Her words pierced straight through me. She wasn’t asking to challenge me. She wasn’t being critical. She was simply noticing something… and wondering why.

That’s when I realized that forgiveness wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about her too. She was watching. She was learning from how I responded.

That’s why I made a decision early on. I would not speak negatively about her mother. Not because I wasn’t hurting. Not because I didn’t have things I could say. But because she was my wife. She is the mother of my children. And I believe she was once anointed by God to lead, to serve, and to love. Who am I to raise my hand, or my mouth, against that?

“Do not touch my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm.” (1 Chronicles 16:22, NIV)

I trust that God will take care of what needs to be handled. My job is to keep my heart right, and to protect my daughter’s in the process.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean I feel nothing. It means I give everything over to God. It means when bitterness knocks at the door, I don’t answer. It means when people try to speak badly about her, I shut it down. Not because she is perfect, but because I want to be found faithful.

Forgiving wasn’t about excusing what happened. It was about freeing myself from the prison of resentment. By letting go, I wasn’t just obeying God. I was opening my heart to His healing and His peace. Now, I can look back without anger or regret.

My daughter taught me a valuable lesson that day. Children see more than we realize. Forgiveness isn’t just a gift we give others. It’s a testimony of God’s grace to those watching our lives.

This season has taught me that forgiveness isn’t weakness. It’s worship. It’s not forgetting. It’s trusting. It’s not about getting justice. It’s about giving Jesus room to work.

And yes, I am still praying for restoration. I believe God can redeem anything. But while I wait, I will keep forgiving.

Bible Promise:
“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (John 8:36, NLT)

Reflection Questions:

  1. Who is watching your life that might learn about God’s grace through your forgiveness?
  2. What would it look like to forgive today, even before the situation is fully resolved?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing me what true forgiveness looks like through the cross. Thank You for reminding me that forgiveness is not a one-time decision, but a daily act of surrender. Help me to forgive even when it hurts, even when the story feels unfinished. I trust You with my pain, with my future, and with the people I love. Use my life as a reflection of Your grace.
I give You all honor, all the glory, and all of the praise.
It’s in Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen and Amen.

When God Keeps You Hidden

Scripture:
He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.
Daniel 2:22 (NIV)

I’ve always had this sense that God was doing something in the shadows, quietly shaping me, refining me, setting things in place before revealing the why.

I’m not talking about being overlooked or dismissed. I’m talking about being hidden… by God. Protected. Set aside. Not because I’m unqualified, but because He’s preparing me for something deeper.

I’ve come to believe that hidden seasons aren’t punishment… they’re preparation.

Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before leading Israel. David was anointed king but went back to the field. Even Jesus didn’t begin His public ministry until age 30. There’s something sacred about being hidden, something holy about being developed in the dark.

We live in a world that values visibility and affirmation, but God values faithfulness in private. He sees the prayers no one hears, the obedience no one applauds, the tears that never make it into posts or journals. He sees… and He’s not in a hurry.

I used to want breakthrough. Now I want obedience.

I used to want recognition. Now I want roots.

Because when the season shifts and the curtain lifts, I don’t want to just have a message. I want to be the kind of person who can carry it well.

Maybe that’s where you are too. Maybe you’ve been faithful in the quiet places, and you’re wondering if God even notices. He does. And in His time, He will bring to light what’s been growing in secret.

Stay hidden if that’s where He has you. That’s not the end of your story. That’s the foundation.

Bible Promise:
For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
Proverbs 5:21 (NLT)

Reflection Questions:

  1. What have you learned about yourself or about God in hidden seasons?
  2. What would it look like to lean into preparation instead of striving for promotion?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the seasons when You’ve hidden me… not to punish me, but to protect me and prepare me. Teach me to value obedience over applause, roots over recognition, and preparation over promotion. I trust Your timing and Your process. Make me ready to carry what You’ve called me to, but keep me grounded in You. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.