Forgiveness is not a miracle; it miraculously works in us. But the decision to forgive does not immediately alter everything.

With forgiveness, we do not forget, but the memories no longer trigger pain and no longer control our actions. With forgiveness, we are cut free from the pain.

Whatever the person did, big or small, it is NOT okay that they did it. It might be that everything is okay between him/her and me, but that does not make what they did ok. So, let’s stop saying ‘it’s ok’ in response to an apology or request for forgiveness. How do we respond to ‘I’m sorry’, then? Here’s how to open the conversation

It is a common thing to hear, or think, ‘She deserves punishment, so I’m not going to forgive until she has paid.’ With forgiveness, God steps in to hold the hook on the offender.