“Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing’.” John 23:34

Forgiveness is such an important thing for our own wellbeing. Holding onto unforgiveness doesn’t do anything to the other person. They probably have long ago forgotten about everything. They may not have even realized they hurt someone. It also gives yourself time to convince yourself that it might have been your fault and that you did play a part in it second guessing yourself. And holding on to hurt causes a chain to tighten around your neck becoming heavier and heavier Al the time. They say it is like drinking poison and hoping that it will eventually kill them. While the entire time you are dying a slow excruciating death. Jesus forgave everyone who ever treated him badly That is saying a lot because he was actually murdered for something he didn’t do in an extremely inhumane way. Roman crucifiction was designed to be the worst punishment you could experience, on purpose. He went through this of his own will. He could have bailed on us but he thought of each and everyone of creation and how much he loved us. He knew it was the only way that his Father could justify completely forgiving us. Something perfect had to die. Nobody is perfect! He has told us that if we forgive someone when we don’t want to then he can forgive us. His Father does. Do you want to risk not being forgiven by God. That penalty would be more than we could bear. And if Jesus hadn’t agreed to go through with it, where would we be? He even gives us the desire and strength to do the right thing. That doesn’t mean you will forget what was done to you but you will eventually not dwell on it constantly. It will no longer be able to torment you. And you can have peace about it. Do you want others to forgive you for your mistakes? Mistakes that may not have been intentional. God knows our thoughts and if we have forgiven or not. He doesn’t want us suffering needlessly so he tells us to forgive so we can be more like him and have peace. Peace with ourselves and with God.