What the Bible Says About Forgiveness
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22 NIV)
The number seventy-seven is used figuratively but the idea behind it is very real. We must always forgive. There is more to the idea than just that. Forgiveness is one of the keys to a healthy emotional and spiritual life. Read on for more detail about this important act.
Why You Should Forgive
Forgiving allows you to let go of the hurtful feelings. It also places the issue back into Gods hands where it belongs. It’s not our place to track people down and punish them for hurting us. If someone deserves to be punished God will handle it. If a crime was committed, of course, it is responsible to contact the proper authorities. In some cases a civil suit may be appropriate. Remember, sometimes it’s best to just let go and move on rather than to hold on to the angst of the situation and seek punishment.
To choose to forgive is a decision to be at peace with what happened, with yourself, and with life. If you don’t have peace then the alternative is strife. A life lived in strife usually is not a life that is truly lived. Forgiveness puts us at peace with ourselves and the world around us.
Forgive Does Not Always Mean Forget
When someone really hurts you you have to bring yourself to forgive them at some point. That does not mean that you have to always forget. You, also, don’t always have to keep that person in your life. It’s important to be able to walk away from someone who will not stop hurting you. Remembering, to a degree, allows you to protect yourself by keeping in mind the person’s true behavior. Your memory of the pain should soften, but you don’t have to forget that the person hurt you. It’s important to protect yourself in life, both, personally and professionally.
If someone can prove that they have changed then you might want to consider keeping them in your life. If the hurt was too deep you might have to just walk away. It’s a judgement call that you have to make on a case by case basis. You, of course, can’t kick people out of your life for every little thing, but, know where you draw the line and when someone has crossed it. When someone hurts you try talking to a friend or trusted family member to help sort things out. That way you can be sure of your feelings and you won’t have to go through the situation alone. Remember, forgiveness is about healing and moving forward, not about getting walked on. You can respect yourself and still forgive.