There are many ways to hurt another person. There are also many ways to forgive that hurt.
On an individual level, we can forgive ourselves or we can forgive others. Self-forgiveness is the experience of getting successfully past self-condemnation by responsibly dealing with our shortcomings and restoring a healthy sense of self. For some, it is important to feel forgiven by God or a higher power. Forgiving another person can be seen as a victim’s altruistic and loving response to an offender’s injurious act.
Research suggests that these acts of individual-level forgiveness carry enormous mental and physical health benefits.