Forgiveness is a Choice

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 07-May-2008 edition

 

Forgiveness is a Choice

By Dr Bill Maier

 

What do you do when someone says they’re sorry?

 

The same thing you do even if they don’t. You forgive them.

 

Forgiveness isn’t about the other person; it is about you.

Holding a grudge only holds us hostage to the wrongs of others.

 

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. Few people feel like

Forgiving when someone has hurt them, but dwelling on it

only makes things worse.

 

The first step in moving forward is to decide to forgive — even if

the offending party has not acknowledged their wrongdoing.

 

And forgiveness doesn’t mean you forget the transgression.

You just decide to no longer hold it against the other party.

 

You give up the right to nurse a grudge, or to use the episode

against the offender.

 

So when someone says they’re sorry — or even when they don’t —

learn to forgive.