Our minds are powerful; what we think about shapes what we believe and how we live. God wants to renew our minds so we can think in ways that align with His truth, not the lies of the world. When we renew our minds through His word, we can experience transformation that empowers us to walk in His will and embrace His promises. Our thoughts can be a powerful tool for building faith when we fix them on God’s truth.
It’s been over a decade since my divorce, and I still remember the overwhelming feelings that came with it—intimidation, fear, and a deep sense of self-doubt. But one of the hardest parts of that journey was learning to forgive my ex-husband, who literally walked out on me and our newborn without notice. In an instant, I was left to face a new, terrifying reality as a young mother, alone, confused, and betrayed.
At first, I didn’t want to forgive. How could I? The pain of abandonment, the crushing loneliness, the anger—it all consumed me. I questioned why God allowed this to happen and why I had to carry the weight of raising a child alone. For a long time, I held onto bitterness, believing that holding onto this anger gave me some sense of control over a situation that felt utterly out of my hands. The thought of forgiving felt impossible, like I would be letting him off the hook, and I just couldn’t do it.
But over time, I began to feel God’s gentle prompting. His word reminded me that forgiveness isn’t just for the person who hurt me; it’s for me too. In Ephesians 4:32, God calls us to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” I realized that my unforgiveness was only keeping me trapped in a cycle of pain. I was letting my ex-husband’s actions continue to have control over my heart, even though he wasn’t even in my life anymore.
With God’s help, I started the hard journey of forgiveness. It wasn’t instantaneous, and it didn’t come without tears and struggles, but God’s grace made it possible. Slowly, He transformed my mind, replacing my anger with peace. I learned to release the hurt and trust that God would take care of the consequences. Forgiving him didn’t mean excusing what happened, but it meant letting go of the control I was holding onto and trusting that God could heal me and redeem what was broken.
God’s word gave me the strength to forgive, even when it seemed impossible. He transformed my heart, and through that process, I found freedom. I realized that my worth was never dependent on anyone else’s actions but on who I am in Christ. And as I let go of bitterness, God made room for healing, peace, and even hope for the future.
Listen to Hope Story on the video below
I am not saying that it’s easy—believe me, I totally get it. I know how hard it is to let go of the pain, the anger, and the bitterness. But transforming our mind and replacing the perspective of this world with the lens of God’s view is the only way to live the abundant, free life from bondages that God has called us to. It’s the only way to experience the peace that passes understanding and the healing that comes from His grace. The road isn’t always easy, but it’s the path that leads to true freedom.
By renewing our minds with God’s truth, we can overcome the negative patterns that hold us back. Just like I did, we can make a daily decision to fix our thoughts on the goodness of God, and in doing so, we allow Him to transform our hearts and minds.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind – Romans 12:2
Prayer:
Lord, I come before You today, asking for the renewal of my mind. I know that holding onto unforgiveness only keeps me chained to the past. Help me to release the hurt and anger I feel, and empower me to forgive, just as You have forgiven me. Heal my heart and transform my thoughts so that I can walk in the freedom You offer. I trust You with the pain, and I believe that You are working all things for good.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
fromHisHearttoyours 