Forgiveness of others is not an option for a person who is a follower of Jesus Christ. One of the reasons why we ought to be ready to forgive those who sin against us is because the Lord was willing to forgive us when we couldn’t earn it nor did we deserve it.

Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." The truth of the matter is that every one of us has sinned and offended God. We have had to confess these sins crying out for mercy. So, since God has been so gracious to us, it only makes since to treat others likewise.

Some have said to me, "But you don’t know what they have done to me, how deeply they have hurt me." My answer is, "You are right that I don’t know your situation but one thing I do know is what you have done to God and how deeply you have hurt him."

We cannot experience healing from the pain if we decide to remain bitter and hold on to an unforgiving spirit. If we decide not to forgive, then it doesn’t hurt our offender but only us and can end up destroying us. Even the secular world understands that not letting it go most likely will affect you emotionally, mentally and physically.

If anyone is struggling in this area, you need to realize that some things are humanly impossible to overcome. Those things that are humanly impossible can become possible by the Holy Spirit’s supernatural power operating in our lives.

If God resides in you because he is love then we are capable of producing extraordinary love for even those who deeply offend us. 1 Peter 4:8 reminds us that this kind of love can cover over a multitude of sins.