We all know how difficult it is to forgive someone, especially if you don’t want to. Jesus is the only reason why we have the strength to forgive those who wrong us. The old phrase “forgive and forget” doesn’t have biblical origins. We can forgive others, but that doesn’t mean we have to forget what they did. When we choose to forgive, we give our issues to God, but we don’t forget how they made us feel. Even though forgiving is difficult, here are some reasons why we should forgive when we can’t forget.
God wants us to forgive.
The first reason we should forgive even though we can’t forget is that God wants us to forgive others. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” God understands that it’s hard to forgive those who trespass against us, especially when they’ve done something terrible to us. However, He still wants us to forgive them. Forgiveness isn’t the same as forgetting. It would be difficult to forget what someone did to us, but it’s not impossible to forgive them, even when it feels like it is. Struggling with forgiveness isn’t a great place to dwell.
God wants us to release our unforgiveness because it’ll only hurt us in the end. Unforgiveness will only weigh you down and swallow you up in pain. We must listen to God and forgive the person who hurt us. Many believe forgiveness means forgetting what happened, but that’s not the case. Naturally, we can’t forget the betrayal, but we can choose to give it to God. He wants us to give Him all our fears and worries, as stated in 1 Peter 5:7.
Forgiveness improves your mental health.
Another reason we should forgive when we can’t forget is forgiveness uplifts our mental health. If you keep a firm grasp on unforgiveness, it will cause depression, stress, and anxiety. Holding a grudge will only create these problems or worsen them if you already have them. The best thing you can do is forgive and move on.
Forgiving someone doesn’t excuse their actions. Instead, it means that you’re turning the problem over to God. You’ll have peace of heart and mind by giving Him your pain, bitterness, and unforgiveness. It can be hard to forgive, but forgiving comes with numerous benefits. Holding a grudge will only cause more problems and pain in the long run. Your mental health depends on you letting go and letting God take care of the rest.
Forgiveness brings freedom and healing.
A third reason we should forgive even when we can’t forget is that healing comes with forgiveness. When we decide to forgive and give our problems to God, we’ll experience freedom—choosing not to forgive leaves us in the shackles of unforgiveness, which will only restrict us. Jesus died so we could have an abundant life, not a restricted one. Holding grudges steals our joy and freedom, while choosing forgiveness grants us freedom.
Some things are more challenging to forgive than others, yet we will feel more accessible and weightless when we forgive the more significant items weighing us down. We’ll be free from carrying the weight of unforgiveness because we’ve chosen to forgive. Forgiving others will give us the freedom to live our lives with Jesus’ peace. Don’t let grudges stop your liberty any longer.
Everyone makes mistakes.
Nobody is perfect. The Bible says that we all sin and fall short, specifically in Romans 3:23. No one is protected from the outcomes of sin. There’s a song by Two Door Cinema Club that says, “We all get it wrong/So don’t stay mad for long.” As these lyrics say, everyone will eventually get it wrong, so we should forgive people for their mistakes.
If we look inward, we’ll see that we’ve messed up and made mistakes. God is the only perfect person. Therefore, we’ll keep making mistakes. When we mess up, we want the other person to forgive us, so we should extend the same grace to others. Forgiveness is the main component of healing from the past and moving forward.
Forgiveness shows maturity and growth.
A final reason to forgive is that it shows your Christian maturity and growth. Mature Christians choose to forgive because they know they’re giving their pain to Jesus. They decide to let go of unforgiveness and move with God’s plan for their life. Forgiving others shows excellent maturity and strength.
God wants us to show strength and forgive those who trespass against us. Forgiving others can be challenging. It’s easier to be bitter and upset toward the other person than excuse them. When we decide to forgive, we’re showing our maturity. It’s hard to forgive, but it’s crucial to our Christian growth.
Christian maturity and growth are difficult to develop by ourselves, but God is always willing to help us heal. When you don’t know where to turn, pray to God and ask Him to help you with unforgiveness; it’ll be a big help. He can soften your heart and let you forgive the other person, even if they don’t deserve it. In Mark 11:25, Jesus says, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
The best decision is always to forgive others and give your problems to God. It may be challenging, but it’s what we have to do. We don’t need to stay in the shackles of unforgiveness forever. Staying in the chains of unforgiveness will only hinder our Christian growth and hurt us more. If you find yourself holding onto unforgiveness, it’s time to consider letting it go. Give all your problems to God. He knows what you’re going through and can help you get the healing you need. Choosing to forgive doesn’t negate your experience or make it go away. Forgiveness isn’t about the other person; it’s about you. Choosing forgiveness will free your heart from bitterness and allow you to live the life God intended for you.
