To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the

The gentle hum of the café filled the air, the rhythmic sound of rain against the window blending with the soft murmur of conversation. Jack sat across from Jeeny, his coffee cup cradled in his hands, staring out at the rain-soaked streets. Jeeny, sitting opposite him, seemed lost in thought, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup.

Host: After a brief silence, Jeeny spoke, her voice reflective, but with a hint of understanding.

Jeeny: “I came across a quote by Lewis B. Smedes today that really struck me. He said, ‘To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.’ What do you think about that? Do you think forgiveness really has the power to release us, not just from others, but from ourselves?”

Jack: He looked up, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I think Smedes is absolutely right. We often think of forgiveness as something we do for someone else, like we’re letting them off the hook for their actions. But in truth, when we hold onto resentment or anger, we’re the ones carrying the burden. The person who hurt us might have moved on, but we’re still chained to the past. Forgiveness, then, is not about excusing what was done—it’s about setting ourselves free from the weight we carry.”

Jeeny: “Exactly,” she said softly, her gaze drifting out the window. “We think we’re protecting ourselves by holding onto that anger, but in reality, it keeps us trapped in a cycle of hurt and bitterness. When we forgive, we finally release ourselves from that prison of negativity. It’s like we’re freeing our own hearts, allowing them to heal and move forward.”

Host: The rain outside had softened, and a quiet stillness filled the space between them. Jack shifted slightly, his fingers still resting on his coffee cup as he continued.

Jack: “I think the hardest part about forgiveness is realizing that it’s not just about them—it’s about us. We can’t control how someone else behaves or how they’ve hurt us, but we can control how we respond. Forgiveness is a choice to let go of the power the past has over us. It’s about choosing peace over pain, freedom over imprisonment.”

Jeeny: “Yes, and sometimes, that’s the most difficult part—to acknowledge that we’re the ones holding the key to our own release. It’s easy to think that forgiveness is a favor we’re doing for the other person, but in reality, it’s a gift we give to ourselves. It’s a way of letting go of the anger and resentment that keeps us stuck in the past, and stepping into a future where we’re no longer defined by those hurts.”

Host: The conversation seemed to deepen as they both reflected on the power of forgiveness. Jack set his coffee cup down gently, his expression softening.

Jack: “It’s freeing, isn’t it? To realize that forgiveness isn’t about letting the other person off the hook, but about letting ourselves go. We often think forgiveness means we’re condoning what happened, but it’s actually the opposite. We’re saying, ‘I’m not going to let this define me anymore. I’m moving on.’ It’s like taking the chains off and walking forward.”

Jeeny: Her smile was small but filled with understanding. “Exactly. And once we’ve forgiven, we find that we’re not just letting go of the past—we’re creating space for new possibilities, new experiences, and new relationships. We’re not held back by the things that once bound us.”

Host: The rain had stopped, and a quiet calm had settled over the café. Inside, Jack and Jeeny sat in the realization that forgiveness is not just about others, but about setting ourselves free from the past. Lewis B. Smedes’ words remind us that by forgiving, we release the prison we’ve built for ourselves, and in doing so, we make room for healing, peace, and growth. Forgiveness is not a gift we give others—it’s a gift we give ourselves.