I was raised in church so to speak and forgiveness was always a topic within the churches. That I must forgive to be forgiven. It is true that within the bible it says that, BUT HOW ON EARTH CAN I FORGIVE when I have so much hurt and pain from the things that were done to me ?
Suffice to say that MY DAD was the cause of much of my emotional pain, BUT I HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER FOR ME. But first let me say, that forgiving DOES NOT MEAN FORGETTING or NOT HURTING. It takes time for that. It is much more simpler than that though. I noticed that in the Bible when Jesus was on the cross that he did not say , I FORGIVE THEM FOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO ME, nor did Steven say I forgive them for what they are doing to me or Paul saying the same thing. BUT WHAT THEY DID SAY was , Father hold this not to their charge, Here is what I see, Forgiveness is Not me saying I forgive you, but forgiveness is asking the avenger to not hold them accountable for the offense done to you. He has said , that what you ask he will do, in accordance to his will of coarse. Also he has said that vengeance is his, therefore if I say to someone I forgive you but I withhold asking the father to relinquish accountability, then they will answer for their offense to you. My personal feelings in this is NOT ONE MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD INVOLVED IN THE HANGING OF CHRIST WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR THAT ACTION. But this is just my opinion.

What do you think forgiveness is ?