Forgiveness is a journey of grief and courage that involves honestly tending the painful wounds inflicted by another. In my own journey of forgiveness, I wrestle with resentment and ways to bring about justice in my own way and timing.

I recently discovered that forgiving means giving up the power or desire to punish, to give completely without reservation. This is powerfully portrayed through one refugee's journey of forgiveness.

IDEAS partners with a refugee center in Cyprus that seeks to restore hope, build community, and bring transformation to asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrants by impacting the whole person. Those who come to the refugee center have been wounded deeply physically and emotionally and have lost almost everything as a result of injustice.

One refugee shares his story of loss, healing, and forgiveness.

"I arrived in Cyprus 9 years ago a broken man. My past haunted me: betrayal, torture, and loss of my child, my business, and my home. I cried often. My mind was confused. I clung to my faith. Friends from church and the refugee center surrounded me. They listened and prayed for me.

"The years passed.  Life became more stable. I was granted permission to stay in Cyprus. My mind began to heal. There were less tears. A new family entered my life. Still, something inside ate away at me.

"I opened the Bible to Joel 2. My eyes filled with tears when read, 'I will restore the years the locust have eaten.'  God's promise to restore all that I had lost. 

"A thought then came into my head, 'Forgive him.' I saw the face of the family member I was being asked to forgive. I finished my meal and then made the call.

"My first words to him were 'I forgive you and I love you.' There was silence and then sobs. I was filled with agape for this man who had wronged me, and peace filled my soul. God is love. And He has called me to love by forgiving."

What is your journey of forgiveness?

Know that you are deeply loved by a God who is at work to restore what you have lost.

About the Author: Deirdre works in the IDEAS office as the Executive Support Specialist. She teaches Hebrew, is an avid runner, and loves to travel. Enjoy other blog posts by Deirdre, such as 10 Tips to Reinvent Yourself Professionally.