Forgiveness and Freedom This Easter – Let the Past Go - 2025 - Week 16 Update


Happy Easter Sunday! As we celebrate this day of renewal and grace, I’ve been reflecting on something powerful: forgiveness and the freedom it brings. Easter reminds us of what God has done for us—His sacrifice, His love, His promise of a fresh start. Because of that, we can let go of the pain of the past and step forward with hope.

Carrying old hurts is like dragging a heavy chain. Maybe it’s a grudge against someone who wronged you, a regret you can’t shake, or even anger at yourself for mistakes you’ve made. Those chains weigh us down, keeping us stuck in moments we can’t change. But here’s the truth Easter points us to: God’s grace covers it all. He’s already taken the weight—not just of our sins, but of the pain we hold onto. Through Him, we’re offered forgiveness, and that same forgiveness can flow through us to others and ourselves.

Forgiving doesn’t mean pretending it didn’t hurt or letting someone off the hook. It means choosing to release the grip that pain has on you, trusting God’s love to heal what’s broken. It’s saying, “I won’t let this define me anymore.” When we forgive—whether it’s a friend, a family member, or even ourselves—we’re not just setting them free; we’re setting ourselves free to move forward. Easter is the ultimate reminder: the tomb is empty, the past doesn’t win, and we don’t have to carry it.

I’ve had my own chains to drop. There was a time I held onto resentment over a betrayal, replaying it like a bad movie. It wasn’t until I leaned into God’s grace—remembering what He’d forgiven in me—that I could finally let it go. It didn’t erase the past, but it changed my future. I felt lighter, ready to walk forward without that weight.

So, this Easter, here’s my challenge for you: think of one thing you’ve been carrying—a hurt, a regret, a grudge. Write it down, pray over it, and ask God to help you release it. Then take one step forward—maybe it’s a kind word, a fresh goal, or just a moment of gratitude for His grace. You don’t have to do it perfectly; you just have to start.

I’d love to hear how you’re embracing this freedom today—reply if you feel like sharing. Because of what God has done, the past doesn’t own you. You’re free to move forward, and that’s worth celebrating.

He is risen!

Justin

PS - I have a weekly update that I will include on my dreams below, this is something I have been doing personally for more than 2 years now, and it is my guiding light for how I make decisions and decide what I want to be doing and chasing.

If you ever want to became part of what I am creating, you can sign up at www.justindcstephens.com for the Employee Empowerment Initiative.

Justin Stephens

Life with Justin Stephens

I am on a journey to document the true value of time. I am doing that through writing my own documentary on my life on X. By subscribing, you will be seeing behind the scenes on how I believe we as a society can collapse time and take care of each other better.

Read more from Life with Justin Stephens

This week, I’ve been thinking about something that hits close to home: knowing exactly what action you need to take… and still not taking it. It’s like standing at the edge of a diving board, fully aware you can swim, but frozen because the water looks cold. We’ve all been there, and I want to talk about flipping that script—changing how we see it so we can finally jump. Here’s the deal: when you know what to do—whether it’s sending that email, starting that project, or having that tough...

This week, I’ve been reflecting on something we all face at some point: those moments when it feels like nothing’s going in your favor. The plans fall apart, the wins don’t come, and it’s tempting to wonder if hope’s just a nice word that doesn’t hold up. But here’s what I’ve learned—hope isn’t about waiting for things to get easy. It’s about finding a way to keep going, even when the tide’s against you. Picture this: you’re rowing a boat in a storm. The waves are high, the wind’s howling,...

This week, I’ve been thinking about what it takes to make things happen—specifically, the combo of taking action, prospecting, and sticking with it long enough to see results. It’s not always flashy, but it’s where the magic lives. Let me tell you a quick story to paint the picture. Imagine a guy named Sam, a prospector back in the gold rush days. Sam’s got a hunch about a spot by the river—nothing fancy, just a gut feeling. Day one, he’s out there with his pan, sifting through mud, finding...