The Power of Forgiveness

Lately, it seems everywhere I have been, someone is talking about forgiveness. My group therapy has been working on the topic of forgiveness. My therapist and I talk about it often. Also, my pastor has done various sermons on forgiveness. I think God is trying to send me a message but I can be stubborn sometimes. But how can I forgive someone that has abused me and my daughter. I have been thinking about this hard. Here are some of the thoughts I have had.
Why forgive? Forgiveness is defined as a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge and hurt. Ok.. revenge? Never have I been someone to seek revenge. I believe the old saying, "what comes around, goes around". Karma will happen. Also I know in my heart that someday the ones that hurt us have to answer to the ultimate judge one day and explain their actions.
Forgiveness doesn't not mean that you are denying the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. It brings a kind of peace that lets you go on with your life. 
Forgiveness is really a gift to ourselves. It gives us the opportunity to stop judging and to stop condemning. It is really just for our benefit and to offer peace in your life. It is one of the most compassionate things you can do.
By being angry and bitter, I remain a victim of abuse. By forgiving, I find peace and I am able to continue on my journey of being a survivor of abuse. 
I look at my daughters and see how so easily children are able to forgive. They can let things go so easily. We could all learn a lesson from that.
So what does the Bible say about forgiveness? Luke 6:27 (NIV) says "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hurt you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also". This is a really hard verse to follow but if God says to forgive then we must. If Jesus was able to cry from the cross to His Father to forgive those who crucified Him, how can we not forgive? Every form of mistreatment was suffered by Him yet He chose to forgive. My Pastor always says Love the person, not the sin. 
I have discovered that forgiveness is most definitely not easy but I need that peace in my life, I find it easier to forgive others but extremely difficult to forgive myself (another blog post). There is a Christian song by Matthew West that says exactly how I feel about forgiveness. Take a minute and listen to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Lu5udxEZI