WEEKLY REFLECTION
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?" Forgiveness is defined as “the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven.” It is a conscious and deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses. Instead, it involves an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger. It is important to note that forgiveness does not necessarily require positive feelings toward the offender, but it at least involves letting go of deeply held negative feelings. Experts who study or teach forgiveness make clear that when you forgive, you do not gloss over or deny the seriousness of an offense against you. While forgiveness can help repair a damaged relationship, it doesn’t obligate you to reconcile with the person who harmed you, or release them from legal accountability. Instead, forgiveness brings the forgiver peace of mind and frees him or her from corrosive anger.

Does Forgiveness Make Men Feel Weak?
Forgiveness may make some men feel vulnerable and weak. For some, perhaps forgiveness is spurred by the recognition of their own past mistakes, which are never pleasant to contemplate. Or perhaps they feel a sense of injustice because they are so generously forgiving while others are not. 

For sure forgiveness heals. Scientists, religious leaders, and poets all seem to agree on this. Forgiving others can make us happier, healthier, kinder, and more connected. When we’re no longer obsessed with avoiding and getting revenge on someone, we can move on with our lives. 

The Bible instructs us to forgive as the Lord forgave us. Since forgiveness goes against our nature, we must forgive by faith, whether we feel like it or not. We must trust God to do the work in us that needs to be done so that our forgiveness will be complete. Our faith brings us confidence in God’s promise to help us forgive and shows that we trust in his character.

Jesus teaches that if we do not forgive others their sins, our Father in heaven will not forgive our sins. Forgiveness is not just an act of mercy; it is also an act of obedience to God’s commandments. Forgiveness brings the forgiver peace of mind and frees him or her from corrosive anger. So “forgive as the Lord forgave you.”