What Is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is the act of releasing ourselves from the bondage of an ongoing negative connection. Forgiveness resurrects our peace of mind from the perils of victimhood and releases our negative judgments.

Why Do We Forgive?

We forgive to reclaim our equilibrium. It is a joy to forgive. It’s also worthy of note that the “Lord’s Prayer” says, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Jesus implored us to forgive anyone we are angry with. We will be released from bondage.

How Do We Forgive?

We make up our minds and our hearts to let go, knowing that carrying around anger and judgment toward others or ourselves is a burden we no longer wish to bear.

Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves.

Beginning to Learn to Forgive

By Rev. Bill Englehart

Jesus was once asked how often one should forgive. Seven times? His response was, “Not seven times, but, I tell you seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22). 

Seventy-seven is not a magic number. Earlier translations say seventy times seven, or 490. It was simply Jesus’ way of saying forgiveness can be infinite.

To understand forgiveness, we need to understand what it is not. It is not about condoning bad behavior or saying we must trust those who have mistreated us. It does not mean that there will be no justice for bad acts.

Consider this from H. Emilie Cady’s Lessons in Truth, written more than 100 years ago:

“To forgive does not simply mean to arrive at a place of indifference to those who do personal injury to us; it means far more than this. To forgive is to give for—to give some kind of actual definite good in return for evil given.”

This may seem like a tall order but when done, we can see the results straightaway. I have known parents who forgave the person who killed their child. When I asked why, they said that if they had not, they would be consumed with anger and bitterness. Forgiveness was the answer.

Forgiveness Affirmation

I forgive myself for my mistakes, and I forgive others for their mistakes, knowing none of us is perfect.

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