Biblical Answer

Forgiveness is a vital part of our daily routines, especially when we've been hurt. It's an act of self-defense that stops the fatal bleeding of resentment. Forgiveness is not always easy, and it takes practice to perfect it. In fact, it's often spoken with intensity, but forgiveness hasn't really taken place. General forgiveness doesn't heal specific hurts, and it's essential to pinpoint what was taken from you. To complete the cycle of forgiveness, you must acknowledge the hurt, forgive the person, and then let go of the resentment.

Forgiveness is not about the other person; it's about you. When you forgive, you're not necessarily saying the other person was right; you're saying you're free from the hurt and resentment. Forgiveness is a process, not an event. It's not something you do once and then forget about it. You may need to relinquish your bitterness a dozen times or more, continually choosing to forgive and letting go of the resentment. Forgiveness is a gift, and it's something that can be difficult to accept, especially when we've been hurt.

The value of forgiveness in our daily routines is that it brings healing and peace. When we forgive, we're not only freeing ourselves from the hurt and resentment but also opening ourselves up to a deeper relationship with God. Forgiveness is a core divine attribute that brought us into God's community, and it's essential for our spiritual growth. When we forgive, we're not only healing ourselves but also reflecting God's character and bringing glory to Him. As we choose to forgive, we're not only freeing ourselves but also becoming more like Christ, who forgave us while we were still sinners. (Eph. 4:32, Col. 3:13).