The Complexity of Forgiveness

     Throughout my childhood, close family members hurt me in ways that made me into a stronger person.  Yet, although what happened did not hurt me years after the incidents, it took me until very recently to fully forgive them in my heart.  During my current high school career, certain peers have done actions that have made me cringe in disgust or simply really agitate me.  I looked back into how long it took me to truly forgive people in my heart who did such bad things and realized no matter what the situation, it is always right to forgive (Matthew 6:14-15).  I now always truly forgive others for what they did in my heart, but what does the act of forgiving actually involve?

     I believe forgiving invovles one genuinely using their heart.  Going with this, does that mean one should treat another who did such a bad deed the exact same way as they previously treated them?  Of course it depends on the situation but I would generally say no that question.  If someone really cared about a person, they would want them to truly change for the better.

     I feel like a lot of people in this world make an effort to be nice to their friends but when it comes to helping them shape their character for the better, people don't seem to care as much.  I think its really important how people view the concept of forgiveness and how signficant it is that a person changes for the better after making a big mistake.  I hope that I and others can put a lot more effort into changing people for the better and truly caring for them after they make a mistake instead of just simply acting kind to be a nice person.  I understand it is important for people to be kind when regarding forgiveness, but I'm just stating that it's also extremely signficant that truly caring for others to change in a positive manner is absolutely essential.