The Five Barriers to Enjoying God’s Best

The Barrier of Unforgiveness (Part Three)

Matthew 6:15

“But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Unforgiveness is one of the greatest barriers to enjoying God’s best. It blocks our peace, hinders our prayers, and limits our spiritual growth. Picture a person carrying a backpack filled with heavy stones. Each stone represents an offence, a betrayal, a disappointment, a wound never released. The weight slows them down, drains their strength, and prevents progress. That’s what unforgiveness does to the heart: it burdens the soul and keeps us from walking freely into God’s blessings.

How Unforgiveness Blocks God’s Best

1. Unforgiveness Blocks Prayer

Holding resentment hinders our communication with God.

“When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” — Mark 11:25

Unforgiveness creates static in the spiritual line between you and the Father. Forgiveness restores the clear connection.

2. Unforgiveness Stunts Growth

A bitter heart keeps you trapped in past pain, unable to move forward.

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offence.” — Proverbs 19:11

Letting go doesn’t erase what happened; it releases you from being chained to it.

3. Unforgiveness Breeds Bitterness and Conflict

Resentment never stays contained; it spreads into other areas of life.

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” — Hebrews 12:15

Forgiveness uproots bitterness before it poisons your joy and relationships.

4. Unforgiveness Restrains Blessings

God’s blessings flow freely through hearts that are open, not hardened. When we forgive, we make room for His favour to move again.

Keys to Overcoming Unforgiveness

• Recognize the Poison: Realize that holding onto offence hurts you more than anyone else.

• Choose Forgiveness: It’s not a feeling, but a decision to obey and trust God.

• Release Through Prayer: Ask God for strength to forgive and bless those who wronged you.

Final Thought

Unforgiveness is a spiritual roadblock, but it’s one you can remove today. When you choose to forgive, you exchange the burden of bitterness for the freedom of peace. God’s best flows through a free heart.

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” — Luke 6:37

Lay down the weight. Let go. And step fully into the abundance God has prepared for you.