Biblical Answer

Forgiveness is a choice we make, and it's not always easy. When someone hurts us, it's natural to feel anger, resentment, and bitterness. But Jesus teaches us that forgiveness is not an event, but a process. It's not something we do once and then forget about, but rather something we continually work on. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother, and Jesus replies, "Not seven times, but seventy-seven times." This means that forgiveness is not limited by a specific number, but rather by our willingness to continue forgiving over and over again.

Forgiveness doesn't erase our memories or make the other person's actions okay. Rather, it's a choice we make to release the hold that person's actions have on us. When we forgive, we're not saying that what they did was okay, but rather that we're trusting God to be the God of justice. Forgiveness is not about justifying the other person's actions, but about making us free from the bondage of bitterness and resentment. It's a choice we make to follow God's command to forgive, not because it feels good, but because it's what God asks of us.

In many cases, it's not necessary to tell the person we've forgiven that we've forgiven them. In fact, it could do more harm than good. Instead, we can choose to forgive in secret, trusting that God sees our hearts and knows our intentions. Forgiveness is a process that takes time and effort, but it's a choice we can make every day. By choosing to forgive, we're not only freeing ourselves from the burden of bitterness, but also trusting God to be the God of justice and to bring about healing and restoration in our lives.