STOP AND THINK – Forgiveness is healing others by using their offenses as a means of expressing love to them. (paraphrased from Bill Gothard, Christian speaker and writer)
It’s always difficult to forgive someone who has hurt us deeply, and Gothard’s suggestion is also difficult but helpful. If we can somehow determine the reason behind the act that has offended us, we may be able to turn the situation around and act in the best interest of the one who hurt us. That should go a long way not only to forgiveness but reconciliation.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love . . . Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other. (Ephesians 4:2, 32)