He instructed us to forgive
Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)
Some hurt is done intentionally. We are assaulted in some way physically, verbally, or emotionally. Someone steals from us, perhaps by intentionally misleading us so that we are defrauded and lose our money, possessions, etc. We are betrayed by someone we love—a spouse, a family member, a close friend. Some hurts we experience are minor, but eventually become major, if they are repeated over and over again.
Forgiveness doesn’t deny the harm or wrong someone has done to us. It doesn’t make excuses for why they hurt us, and it doesn’t minimize the seriousness of the offense. It doesn’t mean that the offense stops hurting or is forgotten. Forgiveness isn’t an automatic restoration of trust. It doesn’t replace justice, as sometimes there are consequences to be faced even after the act of forgiveness. It’s not instant emotional healing.
Forgiveness looks at the wrong done to us, admits that it has wounded us, and then decides to forgive—which is actually a decision to start the process of forgiving. It’s recognizing that the hurt we experienced was personal, unfair, and deep, and choosing to let go of the inner negative feelings we have toward someone who has hurt us, in order that the hurt no longer negatively affects us.
Jesus, by His example and His teaching, emphasized forgiveness. He instructed us to forgive. If we desire to be more like Jesus, then we must forgive others for their trespasses against us. [1]
Forgiveness liberates the soul and removes fear. - Nelson Mandela
[1] Activated The Call to Forgive
