Forgiveness is essential for healing from addiction. When we experience God’s love and mercy toward us, we become able to extend forgiveness to others. Forgiving is a choice, not a feeling, and it does not excuse the wrong done. It means releasing revenge and resentment, allowing God to deal with the situation, and choosing not to keep revisiting the hurt. Holding on to bitterness and anger harms us and often drives us back to addictive behaviours to cope with the pain. Letting go brings freedom. God has forgiven us greatly and invites us to pass on that same grace. Because we cannot truly forgive on our own, we must ask God for the ability to forgive, and He will give it.