Healing and Transformation
“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” – Matthew 6:12“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Introduction: Forgiveness is Key to Freedom
Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel. Jesus did not just command us to forgive—He modeled it. As He hung on the cross, suffering for sins He did not commit, He prayed:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” – Luke 23:34
Forgiveness is not about excusing what others have done or pretending we were not hurt. It is about obedience to God, freedom from bitterness, and healing for our own hearts.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus links God’s forgiveness of us with our forgiveness of others. This is not a suggestion; it is a kingdom principle. If we desire freedom, healing, and restoration, we must learn to walk in forgiveness.
Jesus makes it clear that our forgiveness from God is tied to our willingness to forgive others. This does not mean that salvation is earned by forgiving, but that an unforgiving heart blocks our ability to fully receive God’s grace.
How Thrive Differs from Traditional 12-Step Programs
Thrive is built on the commands of Jesus rather than a broad spiritual approach. While traditional 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have helped many, their success rate is often overestimated.
1. Traditional 12-Step Success Rates Are Overestimated
Studies show that traditional 12-step programs have mixed results:
Long-Term Abstinence – A 2006 study found that only 24.9% of participants maintained sobriety over 16 years, even among those who engaged with the program.
High Relapse Rates – Research by George Vaillant showed that 95% of individuals in a clinical sample relapsed at least once over eight years.
Moderate Effectiveness – A 2020 Cochrane review found AA was more effective than some therapies but was not a guaranteed path to recovery.
Thrive, by contrast, is centered on transformation through Jesus Christ, rather than behavior modification alone.
2. Forgiveness as a Core Step
Traditional 12 StepsThrive's ApproachEncourages making amends but does not emphasize forgiving those who have harmed us.Teaches that forgiveness is essential for our own healing and receiving God’s forgiveness.Speaks of a Higher Power in broad terms.Clearly identifies Jesus Christ as the source of true healing.Focuses on self-improvement and accountability through group support.Focuses on heart transformation through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. Daily Devotion & Prayer Are a Foundation for Recovery
In traditional recovery, prayer and meditation come later. Thrive makes devotion a pillar of recovery from the beginning:
I Can't – Admit I am powerless.
God Can – Recognize that only God can bring true healing.
Let God – Surrender control to Him.
Devote Daily – Commit to prayer and Bible study as a foundation for transformation.
This ensures that faith, not willpower, sustains recovery.
Why Forgiveness is Essential
Forgiveness is a Command, Not an Option
Matthew 6:15 – “But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Unforgiveness Blocks Our Own Healing
Hebrews 12:15 – Holding on to bitterness poisons our own hearts.
Forgiveness Frees Us from the Past
Philippians 3:13 – “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.”
We Have Been Forgiven Much
Colossians 3:13 – “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Who Do We Need to Forgive?
1. Others Who Have Hurt Us
Ask yourself:
Are there things in my life I need to forgive?
Is there bitterness or hard feelings I have held on to for years?
Who do I need to forgive?
2. Forgiving God (Releasing Our Disappointment with Him)
Sometimes, we hold anger or disappointment toward God—not because He has done wrong, but because we do not understand His ways.
Ask yourself:
Have I ever blamed God for my pain?
Do I secretly believe I would have done a better job being in control?
3. Forgiving Ourselves
Many people carry deep self-loathing for past mistakes. They believe in God’s forgiveness for others but struggle to forgive themselves.
Ask yourself:
Do I replay past sins in my mind and feel shame?
Have I truly accepted that I am forgiven by God?
How to Forgive – A Practical Pathway
Acknowledge the Hurt
Be honest with God about your pain.
Make the Decision to Forgive
Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling.
Pray for the Person Who Hurt You
Luke 6:27-28 – “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
Release Them from the Debt
Say aloud, “I forgive [name] for [offense] and release them into God’s hands.”
Let God Handle Justice
Romans 12:19 – “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Move Forward in Freedom
Forgiveness does not mean trust or reconciliation, but it does mean release.
Application: Writing a Forgiveness Letter
Write a letter (not necessarily to send) following this format:
Address God – “Father, I come to You with the pain I feel because of [name].”
Describe the hurt honestly.
Make the choice to forgive.
Bless them in prayer.
End with freedom – “Lord, I trust You to bring healing to my heart.”
If led, destroy the letter as a symbolic act of release.
Daily Devotion & Reflection Questions
Who do I need to forgive?
Is there bitterness I have carried for years?
Have I blamed God for my pain?
Do I need to forgive myself?
Closing Prayer
"Father, I thank You for the forgiveness I have received through Jesus Christ. Help me to extend that same forgiveness to others, to release bitterness, and to walk in freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen."