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Celebrate Recovery Choice 6


Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others — except when doing so would harm them or others.“Happy are those who are merciful to others.”“Happy are those who work for peace.”

Choice 6 is about relational repair. Today we courageously look at the broken places between us and other people — not to judge ourselves, not to regret our past — but to evaluate our patterns honestly so we can heal.


This choice has two parts:

  1. Offering forgiveness to those who have hurt me

  2. Making amends to those I have hurt

These two Beatitudes guide us:✔️ Be merciful.✔️ Make peace.

When we are merciful, we forgive — even when the other person doesn’t “deserve” it. When we work toward peace, we take responsibility for our part — even when it is uncomfortable.

This work is not easy. But it is deeply freeing.


PART 1 — Repairing Relationships by Forgiving Those Who Have Hurt You

Why should we forgive?

1. Because God has forgiven you.

We forgive from the overflow of what we have received.

2. Because resentment doesn’t work.

Resentment is:

  • Unreasonable — It changes nothing.

  • Unhelpful — It does not heal the past.

  • Unhealthy — It eats you alive from the inside.

Resentment hurts you more than the person you resent. You lose sleep. You lose joy. You lose peace. They sleep fine.

Bitterness is emotional poison — a kind of self-inflicted pain.

3. Because you will need forgiveness in the future.

Every one of us will need grace again. You cannot receive what you refuse to give.

How do you forgive?

1. Reveal your heart.

You cannot close a wound you refuse to acknowledge. There is no closure without disclosure.

Say it honestly:“What you did was wrong, and it hurt me.”

2. Release the offender.

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. You release them now — not when they apologize.

Resentment will try to return. When it does, you forgive again, and again…You know you have fully released someone when you can think of them without pain.

Helpful tools:

  • The empty chair technique

  • Writing a letter you will never send

3. Replace your heart with God’s peace.

God is just. He will settle the score. You don’t have to carry the burden of judgment.

When you release the offender, you make space for God’s peace.


PART 2 — Repairing Relationships by Making Amends

Forgiveness heals your heart. Making amends heals your relationships.

Jesus taught that reconciliation is so important that if you remember someone has something against you, you should stop worship, leave the altar, go, and make it right — then return.

Unresolved relationships create bitterness in the heart and fuel many habits and emotional struggles.

How do you make amends?

1. Make a list of those you’ve harmed.

Be specific. Be honest.

2. Think about how you wish someone would make amends to you.

Some things cannot be fully restored. But never underestimate the healing power of a sincere, humble apology.

3. Refocus your life.

Peace and mercy are ahead of you.

You are responsible for your part — not for the other person’s reaction.

Make the Choice

Action Step 1 — Pray About It

Prayer: Dear God, You have shown me that holding onto resentment and refusing to make right my own wrongs has crippled me emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Today I choose honesty. Help me name my pain — the hurts I have buried and the ones I have minimized. Give me strength to release those who have hurt me and to let go of my resentment. Give me courage and discernment to make amends where appropriate. Guide me to remember clearly, speak truthfully, and restore what I can. As I refocus my life on doing Your will in my relationships, set my heart free from selfishness and fear. I know I have a long way to go, but I trust that You can make all things new. Amen.

Action Step 2 — Write About It

Those You Need to Forgive

For each person, write:

  • Name and relationship

  • What they said that hurt you

  • What they did that hurt you

  • How their actions made you feel

  • Why this wound still matters Reveal your heart honestly.

Those to Whom You Need to Make Amends

For each person, write:

  • Name and relationship

  • What you said or did to hurt them

  • How your actions affected them

  • How you think they may have felt

  • Why you are sorry

If you feel stuck, consider these questions:

  • Do you owe anyone a debt you haven’t repaid?

  • Have you broken a promise?

  • Have you controlled or manipulated someone?

  • Have you been possessive or critical?

  • Have you been verbally, emotionally, or physically hurtful?

  • Have you neglected someone who needed you?

  • Have you lied to anyone?

  • Have you been unfaithful?

Action Step 3 — Share About It

Share your lists with your accountability partner. Let them support you, challenge you, and hold you steady.

When you have offered forgiveness and made honest amends, you may finally say:

“I have nothing more to hide. I am not perfect, but I have made peace with my past and taken responsibility for my part.”

This is freedom.




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