The Healing Power of Forgiveness

By Bethany Johns and Kathrine Lee

Imagine everything you hold dear being ripped away in a matter of seconds. Your life is forever changed, not by your own actions but by the hands of someone you thought you could trust. Now imagine having the courage to do something counter-cultural in the eyes of the world, something that feels impossible—to forgive the person who hurt you most.

A Story of Two Warriors

This was the lived experience of two brave young women who were coerced and forced into sex trafficking. After placing their trust in someone whom they believed to be a friend, the unthinkable happened. Everything they loved and cherished was stolen from them in an instant. Their stories, however, are not marked by their darkest hours but by the redemptive and restorative power of forgiveness.

After enduring years of abuse, the girls escaped and found freedom from their abductors. After having the courage to ask for help, they boldly put one foot in front of the other and began the process of healing. Through the help of a loving community and committed individuals trained in situations like these, they found a safe environment where they could address their pain and begin to recover pieces of themselves—and their identity—which were once lost.

Recovery from sex trafficking is a long and complex road. Healing from these scars requires time and patience, but most of all, it demands the presence of someone willing to walk alongside these individuals, someone offering security, encouragement and hope found in the true Redeemer, Jesus. The path to recovery extends far beyond physical restoration. It’s the emotional and spiritual wounds that call for the utmost grace and compassion to mend.

Even after individuals are removed from these situations, painful scars remain. Trust is fragile, especially when it comes to trusting others. Anxiety lingers, and the mind is flooded with terrible memories and flashbacks. The path forward seems impossible and overwhelming, but with the proper help and resources, healing is possible.

The Courage to Forgive

One day in the presence of people who cared deeply for them, the two girls were faced with a simple question: “Is it possible for you to choose to forgive?”

When the gravity of this question sank in, they were shocked that this was even an option after all that they had endured. A great evil had invaded their lives and had taken so much that was sacred to them. Forgiveness for their abusers was not on the table—it was an unthinkable and unimaginable task. But even in that moment, God had already begun opening their hearts to the possibility.

Still, the girls wrestled with the idea of forgiveness. To them, offering forgiveness felt like excusing the evil that was done to them. But over time, they came to understand that forgiveness was never for their abusers’ benefit—it was for their own healing, freedom, future and purpose

The Example of Christ

It takes supernatural courage to stand in the face of your enemies and proclaim a message of forgiveness to the world. The pursuit of forgiveness does not come naturally and is a painful, yet beautiful process. Forgiveness is possible because of the Gospel and the example found in Christ Jesus. Once the truth of the Gospel is realized, lives are transformed—and even the darkest wounds can begin to heal.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

When we experience hurt at the hands of someone else, the world often encourages us to hold grudges and to seek revenge as a form of self-protection. God, however, calls us to something entirely different.

Forgiveness does not dismiss the wrongdoing or hide the deep hurt and sorrow that remains. Instead, it reflects God’s character—rooted in love, grace and mercy. He is a forgiving God, a mender of broken things. When we trust God and seek forgiveness, we can fully surrender our pain and leave our shattered pieces in His hands, because he is the only one who can restore what is fractured.

Peace that Overflows

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:14-15)

Forgiveness does not happen overnight. It is a process that takes time and intentionality, but it also requires full surrender and obedience to God.

For these girls—and individuals healing from sex trafficking wounds—forgiveness becomes a doorway to the peace described in Colossians. Choosing to forgive allows God’s love and peace to abound in one’s heart.

While the world may not understand the choice to forgive—especially in situations as devastating as sex trafficking—this act of obedience offers a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Making a Difference

Each year, thousands of children and young adults are exploited through the sex trafficking industry—whether through force, fraud, coercion or manipulation. It is the second fastest growing criminal industry globally. For those who escape these circumstances, recovery is deeply complex. This is why the existence of faith-based recovery organizations is vital to restoring hope, dignity and purpose to those who have faced the unimaginable.

While many organizations exist to support those healing from sex trafficking wounds, few center their approach on faith. A Christ-centered path to healing invites brave warriors to find hope in the example of Christ and his message of forgiveness.

These faithful organizations not only help individuals move from darkness to redemption, but they seek to inform and educate the surrounding community on the issue of sex trafficking. Pure Hope Foundation, for example, is a nonprofit organization mobilizing action against the sex trafficking industry. Its sole purpose is to fight sex trafficking, restore survivors, empower advocates and end demand.

Pure Hope Foundation played a pivotal role in the real-life stories of the two girls who walked the path of recovery after sex trafficking. Understanding the great need to bring this issue to the greater public, Pure Hope Foundation, along with a team of filmmakers, has brought the story of these two brave girls to light in a new feature film, STILL HOPE.

Created to raise awareness and spur on action among viewers, STILL HOPE follows the story of Hope—a character inspired by the real-life story of these two brave young women. The film not only illustrates the real and raw lived experiences of survivors of sex trafficking, but more importantly, it highlights the courageous volunteers standing shoulder to shoulder with these warriors on their healing journey.

While organizations like Pure Hope Foundation are making an impact, it is time for other passionate advocates to join hands with these difference makers to eradicate sex trafficking. That’s why STILL HOPE was created with the intention to be more than a movie; it’s a movement—a call to action. Now is the time to join this important movement, not only for the individuals seeking healing but for the committed individuals and organizations who are standing on the frontlines with them.

The two girls who found freedom from their abductors represent only a small fraction of the children, teens and young adults still trapped in sex trafficking. Our hope is that all individuals impacted by this horrifying industry will one day experience the same freedom. But even more, it’s what happens after—the long and complex road to recovery—where they need our support the most.

Forgiveness seems impossible for those who have walked this difficult road. Yet, for many, it becomes the key that unlocks true healing—proof that God’s power restores what is lost. In time, forgiveness allows these warriors to reclaim peace and hope for the future. Will you join us in the fight against sex trafficking, in providing support to survivors and in amplifying the voice of these brave warriors so we can turn pain into purpose together?

Bethany Johns is co-owner of Studio 523 and producer of STILL HOPE, a feature film based on true stories of courageous women who have walked the complex journey toward finding redemption, healing and forgiveness after sex trafficking. Kathrine Lee is co-founder of Pure Hope Foundation and a strategic partner with STILL HOPE. STILL HOPE premiers in theatres nationwide February 5–9, 2026. For more information, visit stillhopemovie.com and stillhopemovie.com/resources.