The Art of Forgiveness

Discover the power of forgiveness to heal, free, and bring lasting peace.

Forgiveness should start now. Putting off forgiving only deepens the wound.

Forgiveness should start now. Putting off forgiving only deepens the wound.

Short Poems & Quotes | Inspirational Poems | Forgiveness Poems | The Art of Forgiveness

Updated January 31, 2025, by Catherine Pulsifer

Forgiveness is more than an act—it’s a path to freedom. Wilferd Peterson reminds us that when we forgive, we lift the weight of past hurts off our shoulders. It’s not about excusing wrongs but about healing and moving forward. Forgiveness brings peace, frees the heart, and helps us live without the burden of bitterness. His message is clear: don’t wait to forgive—start today, and let the power of forgiveness change your life.

The Art of Forgiveness
by Wilferd Peterson

The art of forgiveness begins when you forgive someone.

It is having a humble spirit and being done with pride and self-pity.
It is taking a step toward the practice of forgiveness. Hate is death, forgiveness is life.

Forgiveness works the miracle of change.
When Lincoln was asked why he did not destroy his enemies he replied: "If I make my enemies my friends, don't I then destroy them?"
When you forgive you change others and you change yourself. You change discord to harmony.

Forgiveness should span the years.
You should first forgive yourself for the wrongs you've done to yourself and others, for the mistakes you've made.
Then you should forgive and bless all those who have wronged you during your lifetime.
Thus you release others and you release yourself. You break the chains of regret and remorse that bind you.
You free your mind from the burdens of the past so you may walk victoriously into the future.

Forgiveness works two ways.
You must forgive to be forgiven.
"He who cannot forgive others," wrote Edward Herbert, "breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass; for every man has the need to be forgiven."

Forgiveness should become a habit.
When the Master was asked how often we should forgive, he answered:
"Until seventy time seven." He who forgives to infinity will never hate.

Forgiveness should start now.
Putting off forgiving only deepens the wound. Clinging to bitterness postpones happiness.
Life is short, time is fleeting. Today is the day to forgive.

Forgiveness is the way to personal peace.
It is performing mental surgery on yourself, probing deep within to remove hurts, grudges, and resentments.
It is forgetting wrongs as though they had never been. It is flooding your mind with the powerful medicine of forgiveness that cleanses and heals.
It is discovering a serenity you've never known before.

Key Messages from this poem:

Forgiveness Heals and Sets You Free
When you forgive, you release yourself from the weight of regret and bitterness. Forgiveness isn’t just for the other person—it’s for you. It allows your heart to heal, turning pain into peace and the past into a stepping stone for a better future.

Forgiveness is a Two-Way Street
To be forgiven, you must first forgive. Holding onto grudges only blocks the path to healing. As Edward Herbert said, the bridge of forgiveness is one we all need to cross. By forgiving others, you create space for the same grace to flow back to you.

Forgiveness Can’t Wait—Start Today
Life is too short to carry the burden of resentment. The sooner you forgive, the sooner you open the door to happiness. Make forgiveness a daily habit. The more you practice it, the lighter and more peaceful your life will become.

Related:

Forgiveness Quotes - This page shares inspiring quotes that echo the power of forgiveness, reminding us that healing begins when we let go of resentment.

Let Bygones Be Bygones Poem - This poem teaches us to release past mistakes and hurts, aligning with the message that forgiveness is the key to peace.

Though Jilted, Still I Love - A heartfelt poem about overcoming heartbreak through forgiveness and choosing love over bitterness.

To Know All Is To Forgive All - This page explores the understanding that forgiveness comes from empathy, reflecting Peterson’s message of transforming relationships through compassion.

Apology Poems - Forgiveness and apologies go hand in hand; these poems highlight the healing power of sincere words.

God's Mercy Poems - As Peterson discusses forgiveness as a path to freedom, these poems focus on how God’s mercy inspires us to forgive ourselves and others.

Poems About Conflict - Forgiveness resolves conflict, and these poems show how letting go of anger leads to inner and outer harmony.

forgiveness is the way to personal peace

More Forgiveness Poems to Inspire and Encourage