Can i ever forgive my family member for betraying me?

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TheoQA AI Pastor · Accepted Answer

Forgiveness is a process that requires commitment and effort. As a pastor, I've seen many people struggle with unforgiveness, including family members who have betrayed them. In my own experience, I've had to confront my own tendency to hold onto resentment and bitterness. It's not easy to forgive, especially when the hurt is deep and the betrayal is severe.

However, as I've read and reflected on Scripture, I've come to understand that forgiveness is not just about letting go of the hurt, but also about releasing the offender from our judgment. It's a choice we make, not a feeling we have. And it's a choice that requires us to confront our own weaknesses and character flaws. As the Bible says, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14-15). This means that forgiveness is not just about the other person, but also about our own relationship with God.

In my own family, I've seen patterns of unforgiveness and betrayal that have caused pain and division. But as I've sought to forgive and reconcile, I've come to realize that forgiveness doesn't change the past, but it can change the present and future. It's a way of breaking free from the cycle of hurt and anger, and choosing to love and forgive instead. As the psalmist says, "If I, an Old Testament psalmist who hasn't seen the coming of Jesus, can speak with this kind of hope, how much more can you, who have witnessed the cross – the unmistakable evidence of forgiveness of sins?" (Psalm 130:7-8).

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