As humans, we live in such a competitive environment. We want to be higher up in status, bigger and better than the next person in line, and the minute someone crosses us for one reason or another, we immediately become raged with anger. Because we live in this competitive environment, the idea of forgiveness is considered a weakness; but I can tell you right now that there's no weakness in forgiveness.
Most of us would agree that God is a very mighty man. We wouldn't call Him "All Mighty" for nothing! Well how many times have we "crossed Him"? Now whether we do it unintentionally or intentionally, sometimes we do. God said, "but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Genesis 2:17). What did/do we do? We fed into the temptations of evil and sometimes we still do. I'm not going to say that's okay, but I can say that we aren't perfect. God knows that... But how many times has He forgiven us?
Depending on the situation, forgiving someone can be scary. What if they turn around and hurt me again (emotionally or even physically)? What if they lie to me again? What if they are just using me? What if...
But what if they really do mean "sorry"? What if they really do want to redeem themselves? What if they really do want to make up for their wrongs? What if...
Because of this competitive environment we live in, forgiveness seems like we're letting the other person get away with what he/she did and makes us seem weak. It's just not in human nature to forgive. I realize it's easier said than done, but there's no weakness in forgiveness. Giving someone a second chance doesn't make us weak. In fact, in most cases, forgiving someone makes us a stronger person. Forgiveness allows us to release the built up anger and bitterness and develop a sense of tranquility, peacefulness, and personal power.
Yes, we don't want people walking all over us and taking advantage of us, but at the same time, taking the the time to forgive someone will lead us toward a resolution and bring us to peace.
There's no weakness in forgiveness.
