To forgive is to forget the affront, precisely because of Love for the forgiven. Let us keep in mind that the Lord loves us infinitely and therefore we will always have in Him another opportunity.
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22
When we suffer an offense or, what we may consider a betrayal, our thoughts become clouded and we go through all kinds of sensations. The first natural reaction may be anger. Anger is one of the most negative feelings we can experience. Anger blinds us, it does not allow us to analyze contexts and situations and, what is worse, it takes us away from the purpose that the Lord has outlined with our name.
Rage states can lead some to backlash or seek revenge. Others plunge into depression and stagnation and gradually lose hope. Forgiving someone who has let us down, no matter how great or small their offense may have been, is a process that, many times, can be long and difficult.
The Holy Scriptures, however, are very precise as to the importance of being compassionate and humble when it comes to forgiving our brothers.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
When we retain anger and pain against someone lacking forgiveness in our heart, what is really happening is that we are gradually moving away from Joy, Peace, Balance, and Health.
If we have closed our perception and find it impossible to forgive, let us remember Christ on the Cross. Let us keep in mind His example of surrender, Perfect Mercy, and Divine forgiveness. The moment we come to understand, deeply, how much the Lord loves us and how He has forgiven us, we will be willing and able to forgive those who have attacked us.
We will be able to see immediately how our burden is relieved because when we let go of the anger and the rancor, the good countenance returns to our faces, we remove the anguish from our chest and we are filled with joy when we recognize ourselves in the Grace of the Lord.
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25
The state of confusion and concern that an offense generates can also be an obstacle when praying. Usually, this happens because the angry or distressing feelings that the insults provoke are like a prison from which we cannot escape. They come back to our minds over and over, even when we want to talk to our Heavenly Father.
The lack of forgiveness, then, is building a wall between us and the Lord. We begin to have the impression that we are distant from God. Let us ask the Highest to intercede so that we can put aside everything that takes us away from his Grace and the Blessing of His Peace.
“Thus tolerate one another and forgive each other if one has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord forgave you, forgive you too.” Colossians 3:13
Never lose sight of the fact that we too will have to be forgiven by someone at some point.
The act of Forgiveness does not mean agreeing with what was done to us, but it is choosing not to hold resentment in our hearts and to live according to the Eternal's teachings.