Forgiveness is not:

1. A feeling

Forgiving someone doesn't mean that you will love them when you do. It's not a rush of unconditional love that you feel for them because you say "I forgive you." God gave us emotions for a reason, and they tell us something that is happening inside of us and can be useful for helping us figure life out. Those feelings that you felt whenever "it" happened were there because you're human. Our bodies are programmed to feel and experience emotions. You may not even want to forgive them at all, but God has called us to extend grace the same way we receive it.

2. Denial

Forgiving someone does not mean that it never happened. I wish we could get rid of the phrase, "forgive and forget." Forgiving doesn't mean it didn't happen or that the pain will go away and you shouldn't forget about that. Things happen to us for a reason and if you forget about the trials you went through, then what shaped you? You can't live your life in denial that these things didn't happen. They happened. Acknowledge them and let them go. But don't forget.

3. Reconciliation

Just because you forgive someone doesn't mean you have to be best friends with them. It may be almost impossible to love or trust someone in the same way that you did, and that's okay. Things probably won't be the same way as they were before, and that's okay, too. But, if we forgive, it is a step in the right direction to Christ. Jesus forgave the people who murdered him, but that didn't mean he had to be best friends with Pontius Pilate.

Forgiveness is:

1. Faith

Your faith in God comes from forgiving others because He forgave you and continues to forgive you. Have faith in God that He will be glorified in your forgiveness.