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Quote by Lewis B. Smedes

“Can you stop your memory on a dime, put it in reverse, and spin it in another direction the way you can reverse direction on a tape recorder? We cannot forget on command. So we just have to let the forgetting happen as it will; we shouldn't rush it, and we certainly should not doubt the genuineness of our forgiving if we happen to remember. The really important thing is that we have the power to forgive what we still do remember.”

Author

Lewis B. Smedes

Lewis B. Smedes was an American author renowned for his theological and philosophical writings. Born in 1921, he made significant contributions to the fields of ethics and spirituality, with a particular focus on themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. His work has had a profound impact on both religious and secular audiences. more

“Forgiving is tough. Excusing is easy. What a mistake it is to confuse forgiving with being mushy, soft, gutless, and oh, so understanding. Before we forgive, we stiffen our spine and we hold a person accountable. And only then, in tough-minded judgment, can we do the outrageously impossible thing: we can forgive.”

Persons Easy Understanding Mistake Impossible Judgment Tough Forgiving Bitterness Spine Impossible Things

Author:Lewis B. Smedes

“Forgiveness isn't always a one-time thing. There are layers of it that need to be recognized in any situation -especially in a marriage. Sometimes we think we have forgiven, but we don't realize how many layers there are. And if we don't deal with each layer, hardness of heart can set in and build up to monumental proportions.”

Ifs Thinking Needs Heart Sometimes Realizing Deals Situation Proportion Bitterness One Time Layers Forgiven Hardness Hardness Of Heart

Author:Stormie Omartian

“Sometimes people hurt us unintentionally. We may view that they've hurt us intentionally and want revenge. But sometimes when we really look back again, we can see that they weren't intentional in trying to hurt us. That's when we need to confess our judgment of them and forgive them for their unintentional hurts committed against us.”

People Want Needs Trying Looks May Sometimes Hurt Views Judgment Forgiving Committed Revenge Bitterness Back Again

Author:Cindy Wright

“Forgiveness involves pardon. Basically, that is like erasing their offenses toward us from a marking board. We immediately wash their offenses away like a wave washing away a message in the sand. Second, forgiveness involves caring for the offending person because most people who offend us have something in their own heart that needs healing. When we forgive others, they are released from our anger and we are healed by God.”