The Narrow Way

We long for closure.
For someone to admit what they did,
to acknowledge the pain,
to say the words we never heard: “I’m sorry.”
But some of us will never get that moment.

And if we wait for an apology before we forgive,
we hand our healing over to the very people who hurt us.

Forgiveness was never meant to be dependent on their repentance.
It was meant to be anchored in God’s mercy.

Romans 12:19 reminds us,
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
That means we can release them,
because justice is God’s, not ours.
We don’t have to carry the gavel
we just carry the cross.

Jesus forgave those who never asked.
On the cross, with soldiers mocking Him,
with religious leaders sneering,
with crowds still shouting,
He prayed:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
They didn’t apologize.
They didn’t repent in that moment.
But He released them anyway.

And that’s what makes forgiveness supernatural.
It’s not fair.
It’s not logical.
But it’s freedom.

When you forgive without an apology,
you’re saying, “My healing isn’t tied to their words.
My freedom isn’t chained to their remorse.
My peace comes from Jesus, not them.”

Forgiveness doesn’t excuse what they did.
It declares that what they did will not define you anymore.
You may never hear “I’m sorry,”
but you can still live unchained.

Because forgiveness is less about what they deserve,
and more about what Christ already did for you.
You release them not because of who they are,
but because of who He is.

And in that release,
your soul breathes again.