Daily Hope with Rick Warren

Forgiveness vs. Restoration of Trust - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - May 17, 2025

My Crosswalk Follow devo

rick warrens daily hope new banner may 2022

Forgiveness vs. Restoration of Trust
By Rick Warren

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (NIV)

When we walk around with resentment because we’re not able to forgive, we’re acting like we know better than God.

But the Bible reminds us that it’s not our job to worry about justice. Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (NIV).

Who has a better arsenal to repay, you or God? Who can settle the score better, you or God? I think God! If I have to choose whether I’m going to get back at someone or let God be the God of justice, I’m going to let God do his thing. I’m going to choose to leave it to God.

Let me explain what forgiveness is not. Forgiveness does not mean you instantly restore trust. Forgiveness is instant, but trust must be rebuilt over time. Forgiveness is based on grace. Trust is built on works. You earn trust. You don’t earn forgiveness. 

A lot of people don’t want to forgive, because they think if they forgive people, then they’ve got to trust them again. No. That’s a whole different issue! Trust has to be earned. 

In a relationship where one person is dealing with an addiction that has harmed their family, they may ask, “Will you forgive me?” Yes, you will forgive them. “Can we go back to the way it was?” No. That’s not at all what you do. You move forward, but things must be different.

Forgiveness and the restoration of a relationship are not the same thing. Forgiveness is only your part—whether they ask for it or not, whether they respond or not, whether they even recognize they need it or not. You forgive for your sake.

Restoration of a relationship takes far more than forgiveness. It takes repentance. It takes restitution and a rebuilding of trust. And it often takes much more time. 

Many people think they can’t forgive because that would mean going back to the same old way—the same old hurts, habits, and hang-ups. That’s not true! You don’t have to go back to the way it was. But you do have to leave it in God’s hands.

How do you release your hurt? You forgive, and you trust God for justice, heart change, and restoration. 

PLAY todays audio teaching from Pastor Rick

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!


Created to Dream Rick Warren Daily Hope offer croppedYour Gift Brings Hope to the World

God has dreams for your life!

In Pastor Rick’s book "Created to Dream: The 6 Phases God Uses to Grow Your Faith," you’ll learn how to discover God’s custom-made dream for your life—a dream that is bigger and better than anything you could ever dream up on your own! And you’ll find practical help for navigating challenges, delays, and detours that stand in your way.

We’d love to send you a copy as our way of saying thank you for your generous gift below to help take the hope of Jesus to more people through Daily Hope.

Request yours when you give today—and thank you for your partnership!

*All gifts will be doubled up to the full amount of the grant. Thank you for your generous support! 
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.

This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.

My Crosswalk Follow devo

SHARE