John 16:33 tells us this: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Learning how to extend love and forgiveness when others have hurt us is hard; sometimes very hard. It can feel like it’s impossible. We are called to forgive. We are called to love. But what does it look like to forgive those who have hurt us in ways that are beyond comprehension? Their words and their actions have broken our hearts and sometimes our spirits. How can we move past the hurt and the brokenness to get to forgiveness and love for the offender?

1. Don’t Think About The Hurt As Much As You Think About Christ.

2. Pray For Those That Hurt You.

3. Extend Grace Even When You Don’t Want To.

BONUS: Even on the cross, Jesus prayed that his Father in Heaven would forgive the people who stripped him of his clothes, savagely beat him, and proceeded to execute him. “Father, forgive them,” Jesus said, “They do not know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:24).