One of the issues I see in the therapy room is Christians who have been severely damaged. They are suffering and then a helping hand comes along and they are told to forgive. Is this a bad thing?
Of course forgiveness is not bad! But telling someone they need to forgive and that it is a sin not to is not helpful when they are wounded. In fact, it can be a form of toxic faith.
Forgiveness is something we do to free ourselves, not the perpetrator, from a prison of pain. God tells us to forgive because he has forgiven our sins and he knows it is freeing and the road to emotional health.
God forgives out of mercy. We are to forgive others because we have received this mercy from God. Not forgiving can prevent us from emotional healing, cause stress, medical issues and bitterness. To forgive another not only is an act of obedience to God, but it is for us. We can be free from bitterness and its negative consequences on our health when we forgive.
However, forgives alone is not always healing. Healing is a long road to be traveled pace by pace. Healing comes from having others hear our stories, being accepted, talking it out, feeling loved and heard (not just listened to), and understood.
There are some horrendous issues that people have experienced in life. If a woman is raped, should we as Christians say, "You need to forgive your perpetrator, honey, the Bible says so." Of course not — this is ludicrous. We would come alongside, comfort and pray, and hopefully refer her to a professional trained in healing the crisis and aftermath of rape. Then we would encourage forgiveness after a measure of healing has been attained.
