Forgiveness, Part 1 (Full Episode - Archive)Forgiveness, Part 1 (Full Episode - Archive)
Relational Recovery
Wes Thompson and Austin Hill talk about what forgiveness means in recovery, how it differs from consequences, and why self-forgiveness is so difficult. They frame these ideas through a Christian lens, stressing God’s grace, human limits and the need for healthy boundaries in painful relationships.
31:48•24 Sept 2026
Forgiveness, Consequences and Recovery: Wes and Austin Talk It Out
Episode Overview
- Forgiveness is described as showing grace to someone who does not deserve it, while staying honest about the harm that was done.
- There is an important difference between forgiving someone and removing or adjusting trust through consequences and boundaries.
- Self-forgiveness is vital in recovery, as ongoing anger and resentment toward oneself can fuel a return to addictive behaviours.
- Christian faith is presented as teaching unlimited forgiveness from God, while human relationships may still remain broken or limited.
- A helpful question around resentment is, “What is my responsibility here?” and choosing to release what is outside of personal control to God.
“"Forgiveness means that I need to get to a place where I pray for their good and I want them to experience the fullness of joy and flourishing in this life."”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? For many people in recovery, forgiveness sits right at the centre of that question, and that’s exactly what Wes Thompson and Austin Hill tackle in this archived Relational Recovery conversation. Speaking from a Christian perspective and years of working with addiction, they talk honestly about how forgiveness is “freaking hard” and why it matters so much in healing relationships and changing behaviour.
Austin starts with a simple definition – “showing someone grace when they do not deserve it” – and the two unpack how that plays out in real life, especially when trust has been broken. A big theme here is the difference between forgiveness and consequences. You’ll hear them explain why you can forgive someone and still keep your distance, change the relationship, or even cut contact in cases of abuse.
As Wes puts it, forgiving isn’t about being “judge, jury and executioner”; it’s about letting go of resentment and anger while still taking safety and wisdom seriously. People in recovery may especially relate to their focus on self-forgiveness. They describe the “sick cycle” of feeling awful about past behaviour, turning that anger inward, and then using again to escape those feelings.
One line sums it up well: holding onto self-hatred can be “choosing to be miserable” after others have already offered grace. Grounded in Christian faith, they connect forgiveness to the belief that God’s grace is unlimited, while human relationships are imperfect and sometimes remain unresolved. You’ll hear stories about broken trust, church leadership decisions, strained family ties, and even a father’s death, all used to show how forgiveness can mean wanting good for someone without pretending the harm never happened.
If you’re wrestling with guilt, resentment, or a complicated relationship that won’t neatly repair, this conversation may help you ask a simple question: what’s actually my responsibility here, and what do I need to hand over to God?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.