We are in the season of giving.  It’s a great time to give the gift of forgiveness.

Undoubtedly, Jesus understood forgiveness was not just a gift for the one who needs forgiveness it is just as much a gift for the one needing to forgive.

The inability or refusal to forgive traps us in the past, stopping us from moving forward with our lives. The resentment we carry makes us prisoner to the person or incident that brought us pain.

The problem most of us have with forgiving someone who has treated us unjustly or abused us is the feeling that we’ll be letting the person off the hook or in essence saying, “What you did to me was okay or didn’t have meaning”. 

“Forgiveness does not mean excusing.”

C.C. Lewis

When what it’s  actually saying is, “What you did, or what happened to me was wrong – it meant something, but I’m going to forgive you anyway… because, I’ve been forgiven.”

It’s not letting the person off the hook – forgiveness is like being given the key to a prison cell and unlocking the door walking out!

Forgive as Jesus

As Christians, we understand this, because Christ forgave us, while we were undeserving and unworthy of forgiveness. And, He tells us that we should do likewise. Instructing us in the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our sins, just AS we forgive those who sin against us.” (Luke 11:4, NLT) This would indicate that our forgiveness is based upon our ability to forgive others.

I’m sure Jesus realized this often would not be an easy task.

Having had to practice what I preach, I know that it’s not. 

And, I’ve ministered to and counseled with individuals who’ve been hurt in unspeakable ways – yet they found and gave the gift of forgiveness. The peace and freedom that followed were life-changing.

Someone to Trust

I use the theme of forgiveness throughout my novel Someone To Trust. In the story, Megan McCormick has suffered betrayal twice from men.  She is wounded, angry and trapped in bitterness and mistrust.  She’s put physical distance between her and the place where she was abandoned and betrayed, but she’s still emotionally trapped there.  Her mistrust of men and guilt over past failures hinders her from stepping into a relationship with Lee, a handsome, kind Veterinarian.  Only after accepting the forgiveness of her heavenly father is Megan able to forgive her earthly father and the man who broke her heart.  However, her newfound freedom is put to the test when her past comes knocking.  Now, there’s only one person left for her to forgive, and she struggles with this one most of all – herself.  Can she give herself the gift of forgiveness and accept Lee’s love?   You’ll have to read Someone To Trust to find out. 

Now, back to the real world! 

This really is the best time to give yourself the gift of forgiveness.  We are truly the benefactors when we choose to forgive.  And it is a choice – not a feeling.

“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”

Corrie Ten Boom

The gift of forgiveness and the freedom it brings is immeasurable.  It’s liberating; it allows us to unchain ourselves from the past, make peace with it and move forward in our lives.