Forgiveness is a tool you need to learn to have a more effective relationship with everyone you live with.

We had the famous teaching of the Lord Jesus when Peter asked: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22). In other words, we must forgive whenever someone makes a mistake against us. It is for our good because forgiveness is not only for the person but also for us. You untie the bonds of the evil the person has done against you. You come out of the memories of everything terrible that happened to you. What are grudges if not being put in prison with a wound that never heals (because the grudges don’t let you), and you keep reliving that moment every time? That’s emotional punishment. And unfortunately, many people are living like this.

Two types of people have hurt us: those who want forgiveness (and do not want to hurt us anymore) and there are those people who have hurt us and want to keep hurting us (and, for these, the best “payback” is to forgive them, because nothing they do will hit us). It’s like gathering coals of fire on their heads (Proverbs 25:21-22). “Forgiveness” is for strong people.

Another issue is that some people think that forgiveness is synonymous with continuing a relationship. But not necessarily. In the case of a love relationship, for a couple to recover, there has to be forgiveness. It can’t exist: “I forgive you, but I’ll write it down here, and I’ll rub it in your face daily”. For the couple to win, it is necessary to leave it in the past, set rules and look forward. However, “continuing a relationship” is not always possible (even after forgiveness). Especially if the person is determined to keep hurting you, this was the advice of the apostle Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:5). In other words, Paul was saying: “there are people, Timothy, who are determined to do evil against you. Get away from them.” Sometimes, we need to protect ourselves from evil. However, you won’t mistreat them and won’t be bitter; forgive.

Reflect on this subject through the video above.