In Their Footsteps: The Sacred Journey of Guiding Others Forgiveness, Faith and Fortitude

With Purpose, Patience, and the Occasional Eye Roll

Sunday Talk Notes (June 15, 2025) is a regular feature of Dr. Jim Turrell’s Wisdom of Life. Here he shares the thoughtful preparation and content of actual talks from his highly regarded Sunday Services.

The Problem

1. “How can I support someone spiritually without feeling like I have to fix them?”

Most people think they need perfect words or deep wisdom to help someone.
But often, what heals most is simply your calm, caring presence.

2. “How do I keep my own peace while walking with someone through their pain?”

It’s easy to lose yourself in someone else’s struggle.
But true compassion doesn’t mean carrying their burden—it means walking beside them with love.

3. “What if I still struggle with forgiveness, doubt, or impatience myself?”

You don’t have to be flawless to be helpful.
Guiding others with honesty and humility is often more powerful than pretending to have it all together

The Solution

1. What They Want (Presence Over Perfection):

People want the confidence to show up for others without needing to have all the right answers.
They long for tools to listen deeply and permission to be imperfect while still making a difference.

Affirmation:

“Today, I release the need to fix and choose to walk beside—with presence, patience, and peace.”

2. What They Want (Peace While Guiding):

They want to support others without losing their own peace in the process.
They seek boundaries and spiritual practices that allow them to be compassionate without becoming overwhelmed.

Affirmation:

“I honor my own peace as sacred, and I guide others without losing myself.”

3. What They Want (Grace for Themselves):

People want to know they don’t have to be perfect to be helpful.
They need reassurance that honesty, humility, and ongoing growth are enough to guide others with love.

Affirmation:

“Even as I grow, I am a blessing to others. My imperfection is not a flaw—it’s my authenticity.”

The Three Powers
Forgiveness – Faith – Fortitude

Four Kinds of Forgiveness

1. Forgiveness Is for the Healer, Not the Hurter
Forgiveness doesn’t set them free—it sets you free.
Holding resentment is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets sick. Forgiveness clears your energy, not theirs.

2. You Can Forgive Without Forgetting
Forgiveness doesn’t erase the past—it releases its grip on your present. You don’t have to pretend it didn’t happen. You choose peace over punishment.

3. Forgiveness Can Be Silent
You don’t need to say it out loud, write a letter, or even talk to the other person. Forgiveness happens in consciousness—not confrontation.

4. Forgiveness Can Be Repeated
Just because you forgave once doesn’t mean it’s over. You might have to forgive again tomorrow—and that’s okay.
It’s not failure. It’s spiritual practice.

Four Kinds of Faith

1. Faith in Something Greater
This is trust in God, Spirit, or Universal Intelligence—the Power behind all creation. “Faith is a mental attitude which is so convinced of its own idea—so certain of the truth—that it dismisses all doubt.” — Ernest Holmes

2. Faith in Yourself
Belief in your own divine spark, creativity, and ability to rise and begin again.
“There is a Power in the Universe greater than you are, and you can use it.”
— Ernest Holmes

3. Faith in the Process
Even when the path is unclear, you trust that life is unfolding with divine order.
“We must learn to trust the law of unfoldment, knowing that as we trust, the way will unfold.”
— Ernest Holmes

4. Faith in Others
Choosing to believe in the goodness, potential, and Spirit within those around you.
“Love sees through the apparent, to the real. It is the nature of love to always give and never condemn.”
— Ernest Holmes

Four Kinds of Fortitude

1. Fortitude Isn’t About Toughing It out Alone
Many think fortitude means gritting your teeth and bearing pain silently.
But true fortitude isn’t isolation—it’s inner alignment.
Spiritual fortitude is powered by connection—God, community, and purpose—not by white-knuckled endurance.

2. Fortitude Includes the Strength to Rest
People assume that to be strong is to keep going no matter what.
But fortitude includes wisdom—the ability to pause, recharge, and say “not now” without shame. Sometimes, the most courageous thing you can do… is take a holy nap.

3. Fortitude Isn’t Loud
We often associate strength with action, protest, or bold moves.
But the most enduring fortitude is often quiet, calm, and consistent. It shows up every day. It’s not flashy—it’s faithful. You may never get applause for your spiritual fortitude, but you’ll feel the freedom in your soul.

4. Fortitude Grows Through Resistance
Like a muscle, fortitude is built by pushing through difficulty—but only with faith as the spotter who protects the athlete from crashing. Each time life stretches you, your capacity increases—if you don’t collapse into despair. The storm doesn’t just pass—it strengthens the roots.

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The Poem that Re-Presents the Title of the Talk

I do not need the perfect phrase,
To mend the hurt or light their ways.
I walk beside with heart at ease—
In presence lies the soul’s release.

I keep my center soft and strong,
Though others’ paths are rough and long.
My peace is sacred, not a cost—
Love guides me gently, never lost.

I grow while helping, step by step,
No need to fake what I have kept.
In truth and grace, I still belong—
Imperfect hands can still be strong.

So here I stand, not to repair,
But just to show that I still care.
Through faith and breath, I learn to be—
A light, a friend, a place to see.