Forgiving Someone Who Just Keeps Hurting You

One of the toughest people to forgive is the habitual offender - that person who just keeps hurting you over and over, even though you’ve tried to forgive them. Maybe it’s the coworker who gossips behind your back everyday or a child who perpetually disobeys. How many times do you have to forgive? Once, twice, five times?

We should forgive someone every time they wrong us. There is no limit to how much we forgive. After all, we are all repeat offenders toward God, and he continually forgives us.

But, there is a difference in forgiving someone and allowing them to mistreat us. Forgiveness doesn’t mean we have to stay in the same situation. You can leave a job where you are mistreated, and still forgive the offender. You can discipline your child while still forgiving them. Forgiving doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice our physical, emotional or mental wellbeing.

When you find yourself having to choose to forgive the same offense over and over, take a look at the situation and make any changes necessary to protect yourself from being victimized. But continue to forgive. Remember that forgiveness is about freeing ourselves - not the other person.