Heather Lobe Johnson
About the Author

Heather Lobe Johnson is a writer and speaker who believes God can redeem the most broken parts of our stories. She hosts the Take These Ashes podcast, which explores broken relationships, grief, forgiveness, anger, trauma, and how God's redemption often looks different than what we pray or hope to see...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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    • Lord, in your mercy, help Madeline take next steps on her path to forgiving any hurts she harbors. We pray for the freedom we know you desire for her.

  1. this was beautiful and made me cry because it spoke to me! thank you for sharing! it touched me in a way i can’t explain. thank you for your honesty, openness, and vulnerability. lastly, thank you for sharing that the healing process did not happen overnight, but took time.

  2. In Luke 17:3-4 Jesus tells us those who sin against us must repent to be forgiven. If we confront someone about a hurt they have inflicted and the person does not give a genuine apology and does not refrain from such behavior going forward we are free to distance ourselves from that person. In doing so we are allowing ourselves to release the hurt and move forward. I do not believe Jesus intends for us to be doormats for those that do not walk in his ways. A brother or sister in Christ would not repeatedly sin against us. By giving forgiveness without expecting a change in behavior we set ourselves up for being hurt again and again.

  3. Heather,

    The old saying “sticks & stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is but a lie. We are wounded by words & actions. Often times the person who hurt us doesn’t even realize it. Yet God asks us to forgive them. Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. We are to forgive others as Christ forgave & continues to forgive our many sins. When we look at it that way it may be a bit easier to do. Praising God He sent you to that recovery group.

    Blessings 🙂