In this season, we’re looking at forgiveness, both what it is but also what it isn’t. This episode, we talk through what it looks like to release someone from personal vengeance and bitterness.

The reality is, that we can’t rush this process. And if we try to do so, we’ll likely just experience more shame because we still feel the weight of the pain and a measure of bitterness. But if we choose to hold onto bitterness, even if we try to pretty it up, it surely will harm us and other relationships around us. We really do need to fully feel and recognize the impact of sin, but choose not to get even.

Release isn’t letting go into an empty nothingness, but release is letting go into the most capable God who will defend us and work on our behalf. And there may still be consequences, but when we release we can choose not to retaliate.

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Our theme music is by As Isaac.

This podcast is made possible by engineer and producer Zachary Tate Smith, executive producer Meleah Smith, and generous donors.

Known Ministries is Alex Kocher and Brenda Payne. This second season of Conversational Counseling is called "It's bigger than forgiveness.”