Forgiveness frees you even if they never take responsibility for what they did.
There are some wounds so deep that an apology would never feel like enough. But it still would’ve helped to hear it. Maybe from a parent who didn’t protect you. A partner who left without reason. A friend who betrayed you in silence. You’ve rehearsed what you’d say if given the chance. You’ve played out the conversation in your head, hoping they’d acknowledge it—own it—fix it.
But they might never.
And while that truth may feel harsh, there’s another truth running beneath it: you don’t need their apology to heal.
That’s where forgiveness begins. Not with them making it right, but with you deciding their mistake won’t hold your life hostage any longer.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean what they did was okay. It doesn’t excuse the betrayal, minimize the trauma, or rewrite the pain. It simply means you’re refusing to stay stuck. You’re choosing peace over resentment. Joy over bitterness. Moving forward over being stuck.
Jesus taught us this. Hanging on the cross, bruised and bleeding, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34, CSB). They weren’t remorseful. They weren’t even quiet—they were mocking Him. But He forgave anyway. Not for them. For the mission. For the freedom that couldn’t wait for an apology.
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is release what was never repented for. Not because it didn’t matter—but because you matter more.
Some people can’t give what they don’t have. They won’t apologize because they’ve never owned their own pain. And waiting for them to change becomes a prison without a clock, without a key.
But here’s the thing about freedom: it doesn’t come from someone else saying “I’m sorry.” It comes from you whispering, “I’m done carrying this.”
So today, if you’re clinging to an apology that still hasn’t arrived—maybe it’s time to release it. Not for them. For you.
You can forgive, heal, and thrive… even if they never say a word.
District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Professional and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.
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Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr.
District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Professional and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.
