Webster defines forgiveness as an act of forgiving; pardon; willingness to forgive. To forgive means, giving up the wish to punish or get even with; not having hard feelings at or toward.

           "Giving up the wish to punish or get even with." This one is hard, especially after someone has wronged and hurt us. It is natural for us to want to get even or pay them back for what they did. Some of the ideas we have inside our minds help motivate these feelings of getting even. That's part of the problem with forgiving; it is hard to not think of retaliating. Moreover, when we know that the things the other person did were deliberate or planned, it hinders our willingness to forgive.

             We know that the thoughts in our mind add to the anger, and the anger feeds our thoughts. This cycle appears to be unbreakable. The only true way to break it is to forgive the other person. That is easier said then done for some of us. The hurt and anger is deep inside and we do not feel like forgiving.

              It may help to know that forgiveness is not a feeling. It is an action, a decision we make to release ourselves, from anger. This does not mean we accept the wrong they did or pretend not to be hurt. What it does mean is that we choose to move on with our life, operating in a different spirit. One that is not filled with bitterness, anger or resentment.

          Forgiveness is an antidote for these feelings, and a willingness to be obedient to GOD.

     Read Matthew 6:15

            Forgiveness is not always easy. This does not mean you are weak because you forgive people. It is just that you are freeing yourself from the anger or pain you feel everytime you think about the wrong that they did you. We should forgive others as many times as the bible tells us to. Because it produces the freedom inside, that allows the peace of God to work in you.  Forgiving others is necessary for receiving God's forgiveness and remaining in fellowship with Him.

      Just remember that no one has wronged us more than we have wronged GOD!