Written by Sunshyne Gray, a contemporary writer.
Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood topics out there. It is something we all face, whether in small daily frustrations or in deep, life-shaking wounds. We live in a broken world, and none of us are perfect, so the need for forgiveness is constant. Sometimes it’s about letting go of a quick comment or a bad attitude; other times, it’s about healing from the kind of hurt that knocks the wind out of you. No matter the size of the offense, the truth about forgiveness doesn’t change…A lot of people assume that forgiving someone means you have to instantly reconcile, forget what happened, or fully trust the person again. But that’s just not true. You can forgive someone and still feel hurt. You can forgive and still choose not to trust—or even not to reconcile at all. So, what is forgiveness, really? Simply put, forgiveness is releasing someone from your punishment and entrusting the offense to God. That moment of surrender can happen in an instant, but often, it’s something we have to keep doing—moment by moment …… Forgiveness is a choice—an action we choose. It is not a feeling or instant healing or pain relief…Forgiveness and healing are not the same. Forgiveness is a choice to release the offender from our punishment and entrust it to God. It happens in a single moment. Healing is a journey that takes time and intention. Keep in mind though, forgiveness is the first step that kicks off the journey to healing. It is the foundation that must be in place before healing can begin.
Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God, in Christ forgave you. [Ephesians 4:32]
Pathways Press.com 