Forgiveness shouldn’t be denigrated because of some people’s bad behaviour and stupid actions. It’s would be a big mistake to place an expectation of forgiveness on someone else, and then look down on them for failing to do so. (“Do not judge”) It would be a twofold mistake – being insensitive and judgmental for one and also not respecting the process of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a choice. It’s a choice to release people from the obligation you place on them of paying for their actions that hurt you. Basically it’s to not retaliate either yourself or by wishing the perpetrator harm. It does not mean you feel better.

However, if someone hurts you and you forgive them and go and do something nice for someone, you will feel better. It may not come from the forgiveness so much as from the act of doing something good rather than brooding or retaliating.

Christians are the ones that are supposed to say ‘The buck stops here. When crap comes my way, I won’t pass it on, I’ll use it to grow roses’.