Many people think that to 'forgive' means letting someone off the hook who does not deserve it. It does not mean that at all Forgiveness is the divine tool to put right the things that are wrong Unforgiveness is harmful - not towards the person who has harmed us, but towards ourselves. Forgiveness releases the power of the Holy Spirit to begin working in that person's life who has hurt us, preventing them from going on to hurt others, which stops the hurting at its source. This is part of how God puts right wrongs. His vengeance is His justice, not as we would do it, but in a perfect way that not only deals with the origin but also restores the person who has been hurt, used, or stolen from. Unforgiveness is exactly like a getting a deep splinter in your hand or foot, and leaving it there. What happens if you do NOT remove it? Two things: The pain remains and infection sets in. When others hurt us, it is just the same as getting a splinter, but in your soul. If it is not dealt with quickly, the pain stays and 'infection' sets in - in the form of anger, resentment, depression, anxiety, frustration, irritability. These gradually change the way you think and interact with others, until you develop 'isolation' mentality - keeping others at a distance to avoid being hurt again. What is actually happening, is that you are cutting yourself off from love, caring and support, as well as developing a 'skew' vision of people, becoming cold, critical and judgmental - a lonely place to be. It becomes easier to be mean to others, and intolerant of weaknesses they sometimes cannot help because of their own hurts and disappointments. Eventually, it becomes difficult to find anything positive in people and situations, so wherever you go, you have a dampening effect on others, bringing them down to where you are. Some will try to help you, seeing your pain, while others will just try to avoid you - the result is always the same - eventually people will distance themselves from you and from any desire to help you. If this describes you, or someone you know, then this book was written for you.