Biblical Answer

Can I ever forgive my family member for stealing from me?

Forgiveness is a complex issue, and it's not always easy to forgive someone who has wronged us, especially if it's a family member. However, forgiveness is a necessary step in healing and moving forward. As the Bible says, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness doesn't mean that what happened was okay or that the person who stole from us is off the hook. Forgiveness means that we choose to release the negative emotions associated with the situation and not let it continue to affect us.

To forgive our family member, we need to understand that forgiveness is a process that takes time, effort, and humility. As the passage suggests, humility is a key component of forgiveness. If we feel superior to the person who stole from us, it will be hard to forgive. Instead, we need to acknowledge our own flaws and weaknesses, and recognize that we are not perfect either. We need to pray for the person we need to forgive, even if it seems hard at first. This will help us to see things from their perspective and to understand that they may be struggling with their own issues.

In addition to humility, forgiveness also requires us to let go of the desire for punishment or revenge. As the passage notes, forgiveness does not change whatever weakness led to the failure, but it can set punishment aside. However, forgiveness is not a one-time event, but rather a process that requires ongoing effort and commitment. It's a choice we make every day to release the negative emotions associated with the situation and to choose love and compassion instead. As Jesus says, "Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you" (Mark 11:25). By choosing to forgive our family member, we can begin to heal and move forward, and we can experience the peace and freedom that comes from forgiveness.