In the Gen Z horror film, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Freddy’s is a popular children’s play center in the 80s. But when a mad killer in an animatronic costume kills a youth, the place closes down. But the terror doesn’t end as the spirit of the youth lives inside The Marionette, an animatronic puppet. She haunts Freddy’s, looking for vengeance on those who ignored her cries when she was terrorized by the killer. She definitely has a problem letting go.

Pain from previous experiences can turn us into monsters. When pain and trauma define our core memories, it’s very difficult to move on. Our actions, fears, trusts, and confidence are linked to the mistreatment that happened. Sometimes, the worst advice we can receive is “just get over it.” You cannot remove a dark memory from your psyche with a command.

I have no idea what kind of counseling someone needs to recover, but I do know that the power of forgiveness is a major piece for healing. The New Testament repeats this with:

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14

God is building a culture of forgiveness in his world, but forgiveness is not just a justice issue. The power to let go of a dark tragedy and replace it with forgiveness gives your brain permission to believe that there is more to life than what hurtful people can do. Forgiveness is an attitude that trusts in God’s perfect handling of a situation; therefore, we do not need to seek vengeance or walk in pain.

Whatever steps you have taken to recover from any trauma or abuse from others, I applaud you. That is not an easy feat. But I also pray that the promises that come with forgiveness, the strength it gives, and the freedom it provides live with you every day.

Figure it Out:

  1. What do you believe about forgiving others? Is it a healthy practice or a meaningless gesture?
  2. How does God hope to build a strong and healthy community through forgiveness? How would it help everyone?
  3. What practices can you put in your prayer life to make sure you are forgiving everyone who offends you?