Seeking Forgiveness? Don’t Try to Fix the Hurt—Acknowledge It

An apology is not a tool for erasing pain. It is not a shortcut to closure. Seeking forgiveness is about acknowledging emotions, not dismissing them. Too often, apologies come with an unspoken expectation: “I said sorry, now let’s move on.” But forgiveness isn’t a transaction—it’s a process.

What Seeking Forgiveness Truly Means:

• “I understand what you’re going through.”

• “I accept what I did and feel remorse for it.”

• “I acknowledge your feelings.”

• “You are not wrong for feeling the way you do.”

• “I will try my best not to repeat my mistake.”

• “I do not wish to cause you pain again.”

  
  

These statements reflect responsibility, understanding, and the willingness to change. They show that an apology is not about making someone stop feeling hurt—it’s about validating that their feelings matter.

What Seeking Forgiveness Does Not Mean:

• “I said sorry, so stop feeling hurt.”

• “What more do you want from me?”

• “You are overreacting.”

• “I just want this drama to end.”

• “You need to move on already.”

  
  

These responses are not apologies—they are deflections. They shift the burden of healing onto the hurt party, demanding that they process their emotions on someone else’s timeline. But forgiveness cannot be forced.

Apologizing should never be about seeking immediate relief from guilt. It should be about allowing space for emotions to exist without rushing them into resolution. A true apology isn’t about fixing feelings—it’s about honoring them.