Forgiviness is not mortgaging negatives feelings rather it’s about releasing negative feelings . Psychologists define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

Just as important as defining what forgiveness is, though, is understanding what forgiveness is not. Experts who study or teach forgiveness make clear that when you forgive, you do not gloss over or deny the seriousness of an offense against you. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses. Though forgiveness can help repair a damaged relationship, it doesn’t obligate you to reconcile with the person who harmed you, or release them from legal accountability. Before Christ took His last breath He said in Luke 23:34, “Father forgive them for what they are doing.” Notice He said doing??! The Roman soldiers were gambling for His clothing (John 19:23–24); the criminals on the crosses to either side of Him were reviling Him (Matthew 27:44); the religious leaders were mocking Him (Matthew 27:41–43); and the crowd was blaspheming Him (Matthew 27:39). Surrounded by this most unworthy lot, Jesus still prayed for them.

When people wrongfully hurt us we got to remember that Jesus paid the penalty for every past, present, and future sin. So when we choose not to forgive we are literally harboring a debt that has already been paid and we fail to extend the gift of love, grace and mercy that is extended to us when we fall short of God’s glory……..