We said earlier that forgiveness is a choice that a person makes to no longer judge the guilty person but to begin to act in kindness toward them. Is that hard to do? Yes! Here are some things to consider as you forgive.
- Do not continue to dwell on the mistake. After you forgive, someone do not continue to think about the wrong that person did to you. Replace those negative thoughts about that person with a prayer for them. Or think of the good qualities of that person. You cannot pray for a person and not forgive them.
- Do not tell others. The mistake made and the forgiveness given should be only between the two of you. Sometimes, we like to tell others of the mistakes that were made because it makes us feel superior to the other person. Bad news travels faster than good news. Jesus showed us how to go to a person who has sinned against us. He said the first thing is to go alone and try to win the brother back. If he will not listen, then take others and talk to him again. Matthew 18:15-17
- Begin to treat the offender in a kind manner. Because I chose to forgive the one who sinned against me, now I can speak to that person, shake their hand and no longer let the mistake come between us.