What You Need to Know About Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Repentance (Set Yourself Free from the Painful Relationships the Biblical Way)

I want to talk about something that is tough, but super important - forgiveness, reconciliation, and repentance. For years, I struggled with what others expected me to do versus what God told me. It was a constant battle because these opinions came from people I deeply respected. But every time, something inside me stopped. It took years and some recent experiences to realize that this hesitation was God protecting me. People often confuse forgiveness and reconciliation, thinking they’re the same thing. But they’re not. And repentance isn’t just about saying sorry to excuse bad behavior—it’s about truly changing. Forgiveness starts with God — it’s not just about saying, “I forgive you.” It’s about letting go of resentment while still acknowledging the pain. Reconciliation, on the other hand, is like two people with drawbridges. Both have to be willing to lower their bridges to rebuild the connection. Trust isn’t instantly restored; it has to be earned and maintained. Repentance means turning back to God. It’s a genuine response to godly sorrow, which is a profound recognition of our sins and shortcomings. This sorrow leads to repentance, changing our minds, hearts, and direction. It’s redemptive and life-giving, making us more receptive to God's grace and compassionate towards others. No matter the relationship—whether it’s with a friend, family member, partner, or spouse—these three elements will always be part of the process if both people are willing to work on it. Get my biblical study on forgiveness here! Rooting for you, Jessica Next steps: Get my free 3-day study and learn how to deal with your emotions in a biblical way: https://www.jessicahottle.com/3-day-study/ Work with me 1:1 as your mental health coach: https://www.coachjessica.com Check out my biblical studies: https://www.jessicahottle.com/shop Work with me in my Untangle Your Thoughts program: https://www.jessicahottle.com/heal Email me at >> jessica@jessicahottle.com

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Hey friend! Do you want to overcome negative thoughts? Do you want to be able to discern whether it’s your feelings telling you what to do or God? Are you praying for a mental breakthrough? I’m here to say that numbing out doesn’t have to be your only option. Hard and bad things that have happened in this world that need a safe space to be processed. And the church should be one of those places. And this podcast is one of those places. I’m Jessica Hottle, a Board-Certified Master Mental Health Coach, author, and speaker. I help women overcome negative thought patterns to regain control of their lives. Most importantly, I’m the big sister who is going to tell you the truth because I care. In this podcast, we are going to be talking about: -> Feelings: The good, the bad, and the ugly -> Practical ways to take care of your emotional and mental health while never losing sight of God -> How to study your Bible so that you can grow a deeper relationship with God and the church So pull up a chair and join me at the table. Let’s get to the bottom of what’s holding you back. Next steps: Get My Free 3-Day Bible Study: https://www.jessicahottle.com/3-day-study Have Me As a Coach in Your Corner: https://www.patreon.com/JessicaHottle Untangle Your Thoughts: https://www.jessicahottle.com/heal Visit My Website: https://www.jessicahottle.com Email Me: jessica@jessicahottle.com (Jessica Hottle, Christian Mental Health Coach)