The strength to forgive repeatedly is rooted in God’s powerful love for us. It’s the forgiveness that says, I forgive and still chose to love even when the offender has not recognized, apologized or atoned for his or her offense. When I truly lean into God’s grace and mercy for me, can I find my peace and self-worth in God and love the way Jesus did when he said, “Forgive them for they do not know what they do.”
It’s the moment when you choose grace and mercy even in pain. When you accept that the person you are extending mercy to does not deserve it and does not understand how much he/she hurt you and you extend grace anyway. This, this is the moment of trust. Trusting that God is still God, that He is present and will tend to my brokenness and that by extending mercy nothing is taken away from me and that I have done the right thing. I have suffered righteously in the moment and not picked up control. Don’t get me wrong, this is not an encouragement to let others abuse you or to be vulnerable with someone who has repeatedly broken trust. I’m talking about making a choice to treat someone with respect, dignity and mercy despite their actions when they are hurtful.
