Forgiveness, Boundaries, and Feeling Ghosted by God? Let’s Talk.

Hey besties! Okay real quick—I know, I know—I said I’m on a 6-week break from the pod so I can prep for Season 2 (eek! More on that in a second)... but your questions keep coming in hot, and you better believe I’m going to show up for you, always.

So today, I’m answering TWO powerful questions straight from our inbox. One from Maddi about forgiveness (whew, this one’s juicy), and another from Piper who asked something so real—“What if I feel like God doesn’t hear me?”

And yes—before we dive in, a reminder: Season 2 is coming soooon and it’s going to be a whole journey! We're going all in, and trust me, you're gonna see yourself in this story.

But for now—let’s talk forgiveness and feeling forgotten. Let’s gooo!

Part 1: Maddi’s Question – Should I forgive someone if they don’t even ask? And what if they just keep doing the same thing over and over?

Hey Maddi, girl—You are deep in the thick of it! 7th grade, 8th grade, 9th grade? PRIME TIME for friendship chaos. The group chats are confusing, the drama is high, and feelings get stomped on like it’s nobody’s business.

And I just want to say: I see you. You’re asking real questions. Hard ones. But also holy ones.

Let’s take it to the Bible.

Matthew 18:21–22 says this:Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”And Jesus replied, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven!”

That’s like… 490 times!!

But here’s the deal—Jesus wasn’t saying actually count to 490.

He was saying, “Maddi, forgiveness isn’t a scoreboard—it’s a heart posture.”

“But what if they don’t even say sorry?”

Ooof, yeah. That hits hard. But Romans 5:8 tells us something wild:“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”Not when we repented. Not when we cleaned up our act. WHILE we were still a mess.

Forgiveness is less about them and more about you being free.

Here’s the truth: When you hold onto unforgiveness, it doesn’t hurt them—it hurts you.

It builds up bitterness and hardens your heart. But when you forgive, you open the door for healing.

Now hear me loud and clear, girl—Forgiveness ≠ pretending nothing happened. Forgiveness ≠ letting them walk all over you again. Forgiveness = saying, “I won’t carry this weight anymore.”

AND—this is important—Forgiveness doesn’t mean access. You can set boundaries. You can step back. You can love someone and also say, “I’m not going to let you keep hurting me.”

Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” That’s what God wants to do for you.

Here’s where I need you to lean in: Forgiveness and trust are not the same thing. Forgiveness is instant—trust is earned. Forgiveness is about your heart—boundaries are about your health.

So yes—you can forgive again. But that doesn’t mean you have to keep putting yourself in harm’s way or acting like it never happened. You’re allowed to love people from a distance.

Now here’s a super important piece of the puzzle: Maddi, if this friend of yours doesn’t know Jesus, then they’re not living by the same standards you are.

1 Corinthians 5:12 says,“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.”

Translation?

We can't expect people who don’t walk with God to live by God’s rules. They don’t have the Holy Spirit guiding their choices yet. So while YOU want to treat others how Jesus would—that doesn’t mean they know how to do the same.

And girl, that’s hard. Because as Jesus-lovers, we want everyone to treat us with kindness, honesty, and grace—the way Jesus treated people.But not everyone is living with Jesus as their example.

So instead of holding them to a standard they don’t understand yet—what if you became the one to show them what Jesus looks like?

Not by being a doormat.Not by letting them walk all over you.But by walking in love, truth, strength, and boundaries.

Say this with me: “I forgive because Jesus forgave me.I set boundaries because I matter too.I can’t expect everyone to live by the Bible—but I still will.”

Maddi, you are not weak for wrestling with this. You’re actually really brave.And you’re learning how to live like Jesus in a world that doesn’t always act like Him. And that? That’s spiritual maturity. That’s leadership.

So keep going, girl. You’re doing better than you think.

Alright now let’s roll RIGHT in to question number two babes!

So Piper asked… – What if I feel like God doesn’t hear me?

Piper, girl—this question? It’s sacred.

You’re not the only one who’s felt that way. I promise. Even in the Bible, God’s people wrestled with this exact thing.

Let’s talk about Joseph.

Joseph was a teen, just like you. He had big dreams from God… and then?

His brothers threw him in a pit.

He was sold into slavery.

Then wrongly accused and thrown into prison.

And guess what? He was there for YEARS.

Can you imagine? Praying, crying, asking God for help—and it seemed like… silence.But Genesis 39:21 says, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love.”

God never left. Even when Joseph felt forgotten, God was working behind the scenes.

Here’s a truth bomb for you:Feelings are real, but they’re not always true.Just because you FEEL unheard doesn’t mean you ARE unheard.

Psalm 34:17 says,“The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.”

God hears you every single time.He collects your tears. (Psalm 56:8)

He’s closer than your breath. (Acts 17:27–28)

But sometimes… silence is part of your growth season.He’s strengthening your faith.

He’s tuning your heart.He’s preparing you for something greater.

Think of it like planting seeds. You don’t see roots forming underground, but that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. The breakthrough? It’s coming.

So Piper, the next time you feel like God’s not hearing you, try this: don’t just sit in silence—shift your focus. 

Open your Bible to a promise (like Psalm 34:17 or Isaiah 41:10), read it out loud, and say, “Even if I don’t feel it right now, this is what’s true.”

Then grab a journal or the Notes app and write down one way God has shown up for you in the past—even if it was small.

Remember, feelings come and go, but God’s faithfulness doesn’t. When you realign your heart with His Word, you remind your soul that silence isn’t absence. It’s space for trust to grow.

Now, Pip, Can you say this with me?

“God hears me. Even in silence. Even in waiting. He is near. He is working. I am not forgotten.”

Final Words for My Slay Squad:

Girls, your questions are never too small or too messy for God. Or for this podcast.Keep writing in. Keep asking. Keep growing.Because if it matters to you—it matters to me. And more importantly, it matters to Him.

Catch y’all soon when Season 2 drops, and until then?

Stay kind.

Stay bold.

Stay anchored in truth.

You are seen. You are chosen. You are so very loved.