Can We Ever Truly Forgive?

For me, forgiveness is possible in many cases but in this heart, not all. Not all, yet, anyway.

I wish I could forgive the people who caused me grave harm. Because not doing that feels like allowing something to fester.

Underneath not-forgiving, I can feel dread. But about what? That not-forgiving is hurting me, or someone I love? That the people who caused me harm didn’t know, and so obviously merit forgiveness? That they knew but didn’t understand what a terrible thing they were doing, and so at least deserve the benefit of the doubt?

At the very least, I can forgive myself for not forgiving. Maybe you can do that, too, if forgiveness is challenging for you. It’s a start.