One of the most important things we need to remember in forgiving someone is that God is our partner. We can come to an understanding that God is always with us, at our side as the constant friend, including in the times when we are wronged or hurt by someone. In a way, it is easy for us to remember that because it is to our benefit — which is true!
That said, we do best in forgiveness when we recognize that God is also constantly with the person who we are forgiving; at work on that person daily just as much as God is with us daily. Yes, there can be situations where we first think that God is nowhere near this person or even in their life. However, with some wisdom, we can understand and accept that God is working on all of us, including the wrongdoer.
Once we can see that God is working on the wrongdoer as much as ourself, we can also see that our forgiveness is probably an important part of God’s effort to draw the wrongdoer back toward their innate relationship with God and the potential for good in their lives. We can rightfully consider ourselves as partnering with God in working for the good of the wrongdoer. And if you are ready to see it…that is love of neighbor (Mark 12:31; Vanderweele and Lee, 2025).
If we can understand the wrongdoer as a person who is a product of their own circumstances, even a “victim of circumstance,” we can also see their deep need for mercy and help. We know from the Gospel that when we make the effort to come to the aid of people in need, the desperate, the lost, “the least of these brothers,” we not only love our neighbor, but also fulfill the greater commandment to love God (Mark 12:30; Matthew 25:40).
Please share these words with someone who needs them today.
This article is an original work of the author and was not composed by or with artificial intelligence (AI). The author is solely responsible for the contents of this article and the opinions and perspectives expressed in the article are solely those of the author. © 2026 Thomas Delaney. All rights reserved.
top photo: The Love of God, Georgiana Houghton, 2021
If your parish or faith community is seeking a deeper experience of forgiveness and wellness for inner renewal and spiritual growth, Live and Forgive is here to help. To begin the conversation, email Live and Forgive presenter and facilitator Tom Delaney at tom@liveandforgive.com — he will be glad to connect with you for a conversation.
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