“When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.” 1 Peter 2:23 AMPC
The act of forgiveness is not letting someone off the hook or saying what they did was ok. It is not pretending it didn’t happen or meaning you have to trust that person again. It is the willingness to let go, a decision to not nurture the hurt and anger anymore. God, I don’t want to stay in this tug-of-war, tied to this person or situation so I am releasing them from my judgement into yours, trusting you to deal with them rather than taking matters into my own hands. Instead, I will be merciful and work for peace! Jesus went willingly to the cross, He didn’t deserve any of the horrors that He went through and yet with His dying breath, His prayer was still, ‘Father, forgive them…’ That’s where real recovery happens! Without the way of the cross, there is no resurrection. Lord Jesus, help me to be more like You, guard my mouth and my heart today I pray. Amen 🙏🏼