Biblical Answer

The Cost of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a costly act that requires us to let go of our right to resentment and anger. It is not something that can be done lightly or without effort. As the Bible says, "Forgiveness is costly. Think about even something as common-place today as the breakup of a marriage. When a wife's husband abandons her for another, is that something she casually overlooks?" (Complete the Cycle of Forgiveness 133). Forgiveness requires us to confront the pain and hurt that has been caused, and to release it in order to move forward.

The Process of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not a one-time event, but a process that requires repeated effort and commitment. It is not something that we can simply "forgive and forget," but rather something that requires us to confront our memories and feelings in order to release them. As the author says, "Forgiveness, I convinced, is so unnatural an act that it takes practice to perfect it. I Falling Forward Forgiveness is an act of self-defense, a tourniquet that stops the fatal bleeding of resentment." (Complete the Cycle of Forgiveness 135). This means that forgiveness requires us to be intentional and deliberate in our decision to forgive, and to continue to work at it even when it is difficult.

The Importance of Trust

Forgiveness requires us to trust in God's plan and purpose, even when it is difficult to understand. It requires us to trust that God is working in the situation, and that He is using it to bring about good. As the author says, "May he (she) understand that forgiveness doesn't justify the other person's actions; instead, it makes him (her) free. Help him (her) to understand that only by the power of Your Spirit can he (she) forgive based on what You've asked us to do and not on what feels good at the moment." (Complete the Cycle of Forgiveness 133). This means that forgiveness requires us to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when it is hard to see.