forgiveness

Have you ever truly forgiven someone? Yeah I know you have probably said that phrase a million times as a child, "I forgive you." Or maybe you have said "I forgive you, but I can't forget what you did" "I forgive you, but I don't trust you any more"..... Being the imperfect person that I am I have realized that I have a huge problem forgiving people. Check out this definition Of forgiveness I found today.
Forgiveness: Is to excuse a mistake or offense, to pardon them by treating the the offender as if the offense had never occurred. To free them from guilt or blame.

Wow! This is by far the best definition I have ever heard. To genuinely forgive someone is to treat them as if they had never hurt you. Do you remember that God also commands us to forgive each other. He leads by example. God treats us as if we never hurt him. He covers our offenses as if they had never occurred. He frees us from any guilt or blame. Forgiveness is not a feeling it is a choice. Now ask yourself has anyone ever truly forgiven me? When I think about this question the only answer I can think of besides God is my parents. They usually were on the receiving end of some pretty harsh words and actions when I was a teenager and yet they treat me as if that never happened. Other than that I cannot think of another person who has ever treated me the same after conflict. Forgiveness just goes against our human nature to protect ourselves. But what if you were willing to be completely obedient and make yourself vulnerable by treating people as if they had never offended you. What if you let down all the walls? I think I would be saying to God "I trust you to keep my heart safe"...by forgiving others.