Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function

Host: The room is calm, the gentle hum of the evening settling into the space. The soft glow of the lamp casts a warm, comforting light, and outside, the world is quiet, the sounds of the day fading into the stillness of the night. Jeeny sits on the couch, her eyes soft, her mind clearly reflecting on something deep. Jack stands near the window, his gaze lost in thought as he watches the world outside. The air between them feels heavy with unspoken words, like a thought is just about to be uncovered.

Jeeny: “Jack, I came across a quote today from Corrie Ten Boom,” she says, breaking the silence. “She said, ‘Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He turns slightly, a raised eyebrow betraying his curiosity. “Forgiveness as an act of the will, huh? That’s an interesting take. It almost sounds like she's saying forgiveness isn’t necessarily about feeling it in the heart, but about choosing to let go of the anger or pain. It’s like a decision, not an emotion.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. What she’s suggesting is that forgiveness is more of a conscious choice than a feeling. You don’t have to wait until your heart feels ready to forgive — it’s about making the decision to release the hurt, even when it’s difficult. The heart may still feel heavy, but the act of forgiveness isn’t tied to emotions in the moment. It’s about willpower.”

Host: The room seems to take on a deeper weight as Jeeny’s words settle in. There’s an unspoken strength in her understanding, one that sees forgiveness as a deliberate action, not just a reaction. Jack stands still for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he processes the idea that forgiveness might not come naturally but must be chosen, regardless of emotional state.

Jack: “But doesn’t it feel unnatural to forgive when you don’t feel ready? Isn’t forgiveness supposed to be something that comes from the heart, from a place of genuine release of anger or hurt? If you just decide to forgive but don’t actually feel it, doesn’t that seem like you’re ignoring the emotions that need healing?”

Jeeny: “I understand what you’re saying. It feels counterintuitive because we often think forgiveness should be something that flows naturally from the heart. But I think what Corrie Ten Boom is saying is that sometimes the heart takes time to heal, and forgiveness is the first step in that process. The act of forgiving might not feel natural, but it creates the space for healing to begin.”

Host: The air feels more reflective now, the conversation weaving between the idea of emotional readiness and the willpower to choose forgiveness. The balance between head and heart, between what feels right and what is necessary, lingers in the room like an unresolved chord. Jack shifts, still unsure but intrigued by the idea that forgiveness can be a decision, even when the emotions are not aligned with the choice.

Jack: “So, you’re saying that even if the emotions aren’t there yet, the decision to forgive is the starting point? That choosing forgiveness, even when it feels difficult, is the way to eventually free yourself from the bitterness?”

Jeeny: “Yes, exactly. Forgiveness is a process, not a one-time decision. It’s about the act of choosing to let go of what weighs you down. Over time, that decision creates the space for the heart to follow. It’s not about denying the pain or pretending it doesn’t hurt — it’s about freeing yourself from the grip of resentment and allowing healing to begin, even before you feel ready.”

Host: The light in the room seems to dim slightly, the conversation creating a more profound stillness between them. The idea of forgiveness as both a choice and a process is settling into the space, shifting the way they both understand the act of releasing anger and hurt.

Jack: “I think I get it now. It’s not about being ready to forgive emotionally. It’s about deciding to release the grip of pain, even if the heart isn’t fully aligned yet. The heart will follow the choice, even if it takes time.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Forgiveness is a powerful act of the will, and it has the ability to create space for healing, even when the heart isn’t quite there. It’s about trusting that the decision to forgive will eventually bring peace, even when it feels like the emotions aren’t ready to catch up.”

Host: The room is still now, the soft light casting a quiet glow on the two of them as they sit with the weight of their conversation. The idea of forgiveness as a decision, independent of emotional readiness, has shifted something between them. The act of forgiving, as Corrie Ten Boom said, may not always feel natural, but it is the first step toward healing, and in that decision, there lies the power to set ourselves free.