Navigating Forgiveness (with Corrie Easley) - Episode 3
Friends, the journey of creating this podcast has been so fun, and so meaningful to me. I can't wait to introduce you today to my good friend Corrie Easley for a conversation all about forgiveness. (Not an easy topic by any means, but so so needed.)
This has been a topic I've been exploring a lot this past year.
In this episode, Corrie shares honestly about her own challenging journey of forgiveness, how the Holy Spirit's leading is a crucial part of true forgiveness, why holding on to unforgiveness perpetuates a cycle of hurt, what healthy boundaries look like, what God says about forgiveness, and so much more.
This conversation is powerful. And I look forward to hearing how God uses it in your walk today.
My Key Takeaways
1) Forgiveness is not a question of what we feel, but a command. Colossians 3:12-13 tells us, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Just like love is deeper than a feeling, but is a decision. Forgiveness really operates in a similar way—it often requires a conscious decision over and over again.
2) We can't muscle forgiveness. It's God-size work. The strength to truly forgive, without allowing bitterness to simmer, is only possible through the Spirit at work in us. He is the Healer and Comforter in our pain, and our Guide through that hurt. We need to call on the Lord to support us in this. (Also, counselors are a really helpful piece of the puzzle!)
3) "Do you do well to be angry?" God asks this of Jonah. He may be asking it of us as well. Do you do well to be holding unforgiveness? Do you do well to hold anger? Bitterness? If it's not serving you, those around you, or God's purpose, it's something we need to address.
4) Healthy boundaries are appropriate and necessary, even after forgiveness. Especially when the other party is unrepentant, there are relational consequences that take place after hurt. As Corrie says, "Forgiving is not an invitation to be treated as a door mat."
Resources Related or Mentioned
- Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa TerKeurst
- Unpacking Forgiveness by Chris Brauns
- [Article] Releasing Forgiveness as a Feeling
- Wandering Wilde's Bible Study Journals
- Connect with Wandering Wilde on Facebook and Instagram!
Where I've Been Wandering
At the close of every episode of the podcast, I'll be sharing a little bit about where I've been wandering in my own time with God recently. This week I've been in Exodus. A key verse I've been processing is Ex. 2:25, where it says, "God saw the people of Israel—and God knew." When we cry out to the Lord, He sees our pain, and He has a plan for redemption. I hope this segment is an encouragement to you in your walk with the Lord today!
Help Us Spread the Word
We want this to be an honest, encouraging, and inspirational resource to remind you that you're not alone, that you truly can grow closer to God each day, and that you have all you need to be transformed by the Word. We'd love for you to help us tell other women about it! You can do that in 2 ways:
1) If you listen on Apple Podcasts, please take a moment to leave a review! That's such a big help to us.
2) Send the link to this episode to a couple friends or family members that should hear it. I hope it even launches some good conversations!
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Again, thank you for listening and we'll be back with Episode 4 in just a couple weeks!
