And than you, parismatch

I find your posts to be a very honest and refreshing christian point of view. You are so right that forgiveness is something that sometimes has to happen "in layers", and more often than not, with divine assistance.
My point (or at least the one I tried to make) was the same as yours, that the idea is to be realeased from all the negative roots that seeking revenge on those that have hurts us brings. Perhaps some of the confusion stems from people assuming that forgiveness means totally forgetting the wrongs and acting as if nothing ever happened. But that's not possible and to expect that puts an enormous strain on the person, although I believe with time and healing, it's certainly possible. But again, a little at a time.
For my self, I have tried to think of it as a letting go of my desires to see the person who has hurt me go through some kind of "punishment". If we can just let go of that feeling and concentrate on the present and future, true healing can begin. Many times full forgiveness comes after we are whole again and we understand human frailty in ourselves and others better. In the meantime, forgiving by faith works, even when we don't feel like it. Tweet