Forgiveness is never simple. It often comes after wounds, betrayals and misunderstandings. It takes time, courage, and sometimes real inner work. But the Bible never ceases to invite us to embark on this difficult and liberating path. Forgiving does not mean forgetting or excusing evil, but choosing not to let it imprison us any longer. And to heal is to allow ourselves to be restored by God, in the most damaged depths of our hearts.

Here are five Bible verses that can help us move forward on this path of forgiveness and inner healing.

Be called to forgive as God forgives - Ephesians 4:31-32

"Let all bitterness, animosity, anger, clamor, slander, and every kind of malice disappear from among you. Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God forgave you in Christ."

This verse reminds us that forgiveness is not based on what the other deserves, but on God's love for us. He forgave us when we were imperfect. In turn, he invites us to this same attitude of mercy. It is not a burden, but a path of liberation of the heart, for ourselves first.

Healing the brokenhearted - Psalm 147:3

"He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds."

Forgiveness does not happen overnight, and often the wound is deep. This verse is a precious comfort. God does not ask us to do everything on our own. He comes with tenderness to heal what has been broken. His healing is gradual, intimate and patient. We can entrust him with our pain, our tears, our anger, and gradually let him restore our hearts.

Do not respond to evil with evil - Romans 12:17-18

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Seek what is right in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."

This verse invites us to break out of the circle of revenge or grudge. Even if the other person does not recognise their wrongdoing, even if human justice seems absent, God calls us to peace. This does not mean accepting everything, but choosing not to feed hatred. Making peace within ourselves, so as not to let evil take root in our hearts.

Letting God free us from the past - Isaiah 43:18-19

"Do not think about past events, do not consider what is old. Behold, I will do a new thing; it is already in the bud; do you not notice it?"

Sometimes it is our own past that imprisons us. Our faults, or the wounds inflicted on us by others, hold us back. This verse is a promise: God wants to make something new. He invites us to look forward, not to remain prisoners of painful memories. Forgiveness also means opening up to the newness that God is preparing within us.

Forgiving without limit - Matthew 18, 21-22

"Then Peter came to Jesus and said to him, 'Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Will it be up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven times.'"

This famous passage shows us that forgiveness does not have to be calculated. Jesus calls us to repeated, constant, tireless forgiveness. Not out of weakness, but because it is the only path that sets us free. To forgive again and again is not to deny the pain, it is to refuse to remain a prisoner of the evil we have suffered.

Conclusion

Forgiving and healing are two linked movements. One does not go without the other. They are deep, inner journeys, sometimes slow, but always life-giving. The Word of God does not give us recipes, but it does open up avenues, promises and calls. These verses can be reread, prayed over and meditated on in silence. Little by little, they help us to move forward, to lay down what is weighing us down, to let God do his work of peace in us.