Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (Matthew 18:21)
From his Jewish teachers Peter had learned that if someone wronged you, you had to forgive them three times. So, when he asked Jesus if forgiving someone seven times was enough, he might have been surprised at Jesus’ response. “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Jesus meant that you should not want to keep track of how often you forgive someone else.
Sometimes eople can be slightly annoying, but when it isn’t a big deal, a simple ‘sorry’ suffices. However, it’s possible that you’ve been deeply hurt and that injury can have lasting implications. This damage can become a heavy burden.
Forgiving does not mean justifying what someone has done wrong. Just because you have offered forgiveness does not always take the pain away.
The perpetrator owes you a debt. The debt has to be acknowledged and cannot be brushed off with excuses. Forgiving someone means that you forgive that debt. You choose not to react out of revenge and anger, and that has consequences for you. Because you have made that choice, you free yourself from angry thoughts and resentment and you can regain inner peace and tranquility.
Forgiveness is often a process, not an easy one. If forgiving and dealing with the hurt and pain is a struggle for you, ask Jesus, and ask believers you trust to help you.
Image by Lumo Project Films – www.lumoproject.com.