Forgiveness is for the Free

Feature Story

Joseph: Forgiveness in Power

(Genesis 37-45)

They say forgiveness is for the other person, but what happens when it’s you that you need to forgive?

This Sunday I was reminded of Joseph. It was in a vulnerable conversation where I was explaining to a friend my struggles with the new level of grace that the Lord was raising me up to. It’s a level that requires such an insurmountable amount of forgiveness towards yourself more than anyone else.

Before Joseph ever forgave his brothers, he had to forgive himself. That’s the part we don’t often sit with. We know the story: betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery (Genesis 37), wrongfully imprisoned (Genesis 39), and eventually promoted to second-in-command in Egypt (Genesis 41). But in the silence between those events—between being thrown into the pit and standing in Pharaoh’s court—Joseph had to wrestle with his own humanity.

He was a dreamer, yes, but he was also young, maybe even a little prideful. Did he replay his words to his brothers and wonder, Was I too much? Did he wrestle with shame for not seeing their betrayal coming? Did he battle bitterness when his dreams seemed to contradict his reality?

The text doesn’t tell us exactly what Joseph felt in prison or in Potiphar’s house, but we do know this: he didn’t harden his heart. Even in suffering, Joseph continued to serve with excellence (Genesis 39:21-23), interpret others’ dreams (Genesis 40), and eventually walk in the wisdom God gave him. That kind of character is cultivated, not automatic. It tells us that somewhere along the line, Joseph let go of the offense—and perhaps the guilt or self-blame too.

Fast forward to Genesis 42–45: when his brothers show up during the famine, Joseph has every right to seek revenge. But instead of retaliating, he tests, observes, and ultimately reveals his identity—not from a place of pride, but from healing. 

He weeps loudly (Genesis 45:2). He embraces them. He says, “Do not be distressed… it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:5–8). That’s not just forgiveness.

That’s perspective. That’s submission to the sovereignty of God over the story of man. Joseph didn’t just forgive his brothers. He forgave the version of himself who had once been wounded by them. 

And in doing so, he positioned himself to walk in the very purpose he had once dreamed of.

Prayer Points

Forgiveness that Frees: A Heart Like Joseph’s

True forgiveness doesn't ignore the pain—it confronts it with God's perspective. Like Joseph, we are invited to move beyond betrayal into blessing, not just for others, but for ourselves too.

1. Lord, I ask that you give me courage to see where I am holding myself hostage. Allow me to let go of the “what ifs” and embrace the “But God”.

2. Lord, show me where I am not trusting you and help me to see your hand in the process. Allow me vision to see how you are moving in the middle of the storm, even when it feels like you’re still.

3. Lord, I want to walk with the courage to forgive those who hurt me and never apologized. I ask for wisdom to respond like Joseph, despite the hardships that could have turned me cold.

Until next week,