Biblical Answer

The Nature of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is an act of self-defense, a tourniquet that stops the fatal bleeding of resentment. When we refuse to forgive, it brings death into our life in one form or another. Forgiveness is not a natural act, and it takes practice to perfect it. However, the Bible teaches that forgiveness is essential for our spiritual well-being and that it is possible to become forgiving by praying for those we need to forgive.

The Source of Forgiveness

The source of forgiveness is God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). This means that no matter what we have done, God will forgive us. The problem is that many of us struggle to believe that we are forgiven, especially when it comes to forgiving ourselves. This is because we often have a faulty theology of suffering, believing that God wants to heal us and that we are not forgiven if we are not healed.

Forgiving Ourselves

Forgiving ourselves is a crucial part of the forgiveness process. However, it can be difficult to forgive ourselves, especially when we have made mistakes or failed in some way. The key is to understand that God's forgiveness covers both guilt and shame. When we realize that God forgives us, we can begin to forgive ourselves and let go of the guilt and shame that holds us back. This is not to say that we ignore our mistakes or failures, but rather that we acknowledge them and ask for forgiveness, just as we would ask someone else for forgiveness. By doing so, we can begin to heal and move forward, rather than getting stuck in the cycle of guilt and shame.