Become New with John Ortberg How to Forgive When You CAN'T Forget
Oct 31, 2025
Explore the emotional journey of forgiveness when painful memories linger. Discover how forgiving doesn't mean forgetting, and learn when memory can help or hinder healing. Dive into Joseph's story, illustrating the complexity of unresolved wounds. Understand that anger and forgiveness can coexist without leading to bitterness. John shares practical exercises to release unforgiveness and emphasizes the importance of making forgiveness a daily practice for spiritual growth.
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Forgiveness Is Not The Same As Forgetting
- Forgiving and forgetting are distinct processes, and forgiveness requires remembering the wrong.
- John Ortberg says forgiveness means choosing not to ruminate or treat the person as unworthy despite the memory.
When Forgetting Blocks Forgiveness
- A woman told John she couldn't forgive because she couldn't remember the hurt she caused him.
- John admits he often remembers hurts forever but, in that case, genuinely could not recall the incident.
Joseph's 'Forget' After Trauma
- John summarizes Joseph's story and notes Joseph names his son Manasseh, saying God made him forget his troubles.
- He points out Joseph clearly did not literally forget those wounds and would still have to face them later.
