God First

08/24/2026

If you’re like me, sometimes it can feel overwhelming trying to remember all the things you’re supposed to do when a relationship gets hard.

And forgiveness is too important to just wing it.

I’ve found it helpful to have a simple “cheat sheet” to remind me of some healthy, biblical steps to take when I’ve been hurt.

This isn’t exhaustive. Relationships are complicated, and every situation is different. But hopefully this is a helpful reference to save and come back to the next time you’re struggling to know what forgiveness should actually look like.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32
God First. Even when it’s hard.

08/21/2026

We don't usually think of being easily offended as a spiritual issue. But 1 Corinthians 13 says otherwise.

Love is patient. Love is kind. It's not easily angered... or as the ESV puts it, not irritable.

That means if we're constantly taking offense, constantly on edge, constantly reacting to every little thing... that's not just "how we are." It's not the standard we're called to.

It's worth asking ourselves: am I quick to take offense, or quick to overlook one?

"Love is patient, love is kind... it is not easily angered." - 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

GOD FIRST. 🤍

08/17/2026

We know we've been talking about forgiveness a lot lately. And we know it's hard, like, genuinely hard.
Going to someone who hurt you. Telling them the truth. Opening yourself back up to getting hurt again. That's not a small thing. That's brave. 🤍��Check out the latest episode as we dive into some of the more difficult aspects of forgiveness. Link to episode in comments, or find it in Apple podcasts.

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." — Ephesians 4:32

08/12/2026

We've all done it. Said something harsh, then softened it with "I'm just being honest." As if honesty were a license.

Ephesians 4:15 asks more of us than that. Speaking the truth in love isn't getting something off your chest. It's the slow work of pursuing someone's good with the truth.

That starts before you ever open your mouth. Believe the best about the person. Examine your own heart. Ask whether this is real sin or just your preference. Then, if it needs saying, say the actual truth. No exaggeration, no "you always," no making them out worse than they are.

Good intentions on their part don't erase a bad action. And your good intentions don't earn you the right to be careless with theirs. You can believe the best about a person and still tell the truth about a behavior. Both, at once, in love.

Here's what we keep coming back to: love seeks the other person's good.

When we stop asking and start assuming, the story we invent creates distance every time. Communication is how relationships stay on the rails.

Save this for the next hard conversation you know is coming. 🙏

Which of these is hardest to live out? Tell us below.

Inspired by Scott's teaching on speaking the truth in love.

08/10/2026

Messaged us lately? We dropped 23 minutes of your biggest questions on forgiveness:

Podcast Episode · God First · August 5 · 23m

08/05/2026

A new episode just dropped! 🎙️

What is forgiveness?

The Bible doesn’t leave us guessing.

Biblical forgiveness isn’t pretending nothing happened or excusing sin. It’s a decision to reflect the way God has forgiven us.

In this episode, we unpack a simple threefold promise of forgiveness through:

• Hebrews 8:12 — “I will remember their sins no more.”
• Psalm 103:10 — He does not treat us as our sins deserve.
• Ephesians 4:31–32 — Forgive one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

If you’ve ever wrestled with what forgiveness actually looks like—or what it doesn’t—this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen now:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tu8RDEfXVCQO34CiNZgP3?si=858cf4a6b48e46fc

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-first/id1818423549

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/

What has been the biggest misunderstanding you’ve had about forgiveness?

08/04/2026

New podcast episode releasing on Wednesday, August 5 at 3PM EST.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tu8RdEfxVCQO34ciNZgP3?si=858cf4a6b48e46fc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-first/id1818423549

08/03/2026

Someone hurt you.

Now you have a choice.

Should I confront this person?

But Scripture asks a question first.

Should this offense simply be overlooked?

Proverbs 19:11 says that overlooking an offense can be a mark of wisdom—not weakness.

Some sins need loving confrontation.

Others are better covered with grace.

The hard part is knowing the difference.

Before you have the conversation, ask yourself the six questions in this post.

They may change not only what you say…

but whether you need to say anything at all.

Save this post for the next time someone hurts you.

Credit: Unpacking Forgiveness by Chris Brauns.

08/01/2026

Jesus.

07/31/2026

What if forgiveness isn’t just for me?

Sometimes the hardest step isn’t forgiving—it’s loving someone enough to have the conversation you’ve been avoiding. Truth spoken in love may be the very thing God uses to bring repentance, healing, and restored relationship.

Not every relationship will be restored. But when it can be, don’t let fear keep you from the very path God may use to redeem it.