This following section is from John Eldridge's "Wild at Heart", a specific section on forgiving our fathers :
[Now you must understand: Forgiveness is a choice. It is not a feeling,
but an act of the will. As Neil Anderson has written, "Don't wait to
forgive until you feel like forgiving; you will never get there.
Feelings take time to heal after the choice to forgive is made." We
allow God to bring the hurt up from our past, for "if your forgiveness
doesn't visit the emotional core of your life, it will be incomplete."
We acknowledge that it hurt, that it mattered, and we choose to extend
forgiveness to our father. This is not saying, "It didn't really matter"; it is not saying, "I probably deserved part of it anyway." Forgiveness says, "It was wrong, it mattered, and I release you."]
... this touched my heart because I have been on a long journey of forgiveness. I can testify that forgiveness is in fact a choice. I have to remind myself of that continuously. If anyone else is on a journey to forgiveness with your father, or anyone else for that matter, I hope this has encouraged you to keep going. It is a reminder to me to keep going. I haven't arrived, I am still on a journey. Praying. Waiting. Seeking God's face. Thanking God E.V.E.R.Y. step of the way for HIS loving kindness, His gentle hand, His unfailing Love for me, and His healing touch. Praise the Lord we have a Father in Heaven that can heal all of our wounds. After all, He is our loving father. He is Abba.
