Forgiving
Forgiveness isn’t something we do for others. We do it so we can get well and move on. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, late German theologian)
Forgiving someone for hurting you is a really difficult response for most of us. We just can’t seem to forget the offense, longing for revenge. We don’t recognize that we are really hurting ourselves as we continue in this frame of mind. The longer we wait, the harder it is to forgive. But as Bonhoeffer suggests, it is the only way we can rid ourselves of the heartache and burden.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-14).