Forgive. But how? And why would I ever do that? It actually seems like a complete impossibility to even begin to consider at times, doesn’t it? That person hurt me more than you could ever imagine. You don’t understand the situation. All of the circumstances and the pain.  

What God says about forgiveness is so different from our view of forgiveness. We tend to think of forgiveness as a sign of surrendering or excusing someone’s actions. If we forgive, we think it means we’re being asked to also forget.   We rarely see it as a sign of strength. But God sees it from a different perspective. He calls you and I to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of us have a grievance against someone.” We are to forgive as God forgives us. The Bible also says that “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.” I don’t know about you, but I want God’s forgiveness. Actually, I NEED God’s forgiveness for my own mistakes. My part is to receive God’s forgiveness and then forgive others. God’s part is the portion we’re usually most excited about. It’s our part that usually gets us hung up.

I don’t know that there is any part of choosing to forgive that is easy, but in the end I’m learning that the process leads to peace. A peace I never knew truly existed when I was hanging on tightly to so much bitterness, anger, hurt, and resentment. You see, for a long time, I never quite understood that forgiveness isn’t about excusing the actions or behaviors of the person who has wronged us. It’s about our own healing and being set free. When we forgive we release ourselves from carrying a very heavy burden that was chipping away at and destroying our heart. Forgiving another person may never include an “I’m sorry” or any sort of apology from the person who hurt you. And that’s OK. It’s not about them. It’s about you. And God. And you’re choice to receive the gift of God’s amazing forgiveness for yourself. And, as a result, offer it to others.