--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Forgiveness is a matter of choice, not…" description: "\"“Forgiveness is a matter of choice, not feelings. We demonstrate true forgiveness when we refuse to brood over the sins committed against us.”\" — Randy..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9d/randy-alcorn-1180_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-a-matter-of-choice-not-fe_1214226.png" --- # Forgiveness is a matter of choice, not feelings. We… ![“Forgiveness is a matter of choice, not feelings. We demonstrate true forgiveness when we refuse to brood over the sins committed against us.” quote by Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9d/randy-alcorn-1180_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-a-matter-of-choice-not-fe_1214226.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9d/randy-alcorn-1180_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-a-matter-of-choice-not-fe_1214226.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9d/randy-alcorn-1180_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-a-matter-of-choice-not-fe_1214226.png) > ““Forgiveness is a matter of choice, not feelings. We demonstrate true forgiveness when we refuse to brood over the sins committed against us.”” [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Forgiveness is a conscious decision, not an emotional response; it requires actively letting go of resentment. **In simple terms:** Choosing to forgive is a decision, not a feeling. Key Takeaway Choose forgiveness, release resentment. Themes forgiveness choice emotional intelligence Mood reflective calm Type ethical spiritual When to use this quote - personal conflict - family dispute - workplace grievance - legal settlement Key Concepts psychology spirituality self‑control Questions to Reflect On - What would change if you chose forgiveness today? - How can you practice letting go without denying the harm? A Different Perspective Forgiveness may be hard when pain is fresh or justice feels unmet. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Feelings Demonstrate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings-demonstrate-3693461/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiveness Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness-matter-1461669/) [Forgiveness Refuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness-refuse-3380455/) [True Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-forgiveness-1585415/) ## Related quotes > [Have a policy of pre-emptive forgiveness. Refuse to get offended by petty things. Make a decision early on to cut the other person some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaelen-foley/have-a-policy-of-pre-emptive-forgiveness-refuse-to-get-offended-by/) [Gaelen Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaelen-foley/) > [Spoken forgiveness, no matter how heartfelt, works best when we do not demand the response we want. I mean that when we tell people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/spoken-forgiveness-no-matter-how-heartfelt-works-best-when-we-do-not/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [“Forgiveness, no matter your motive, is a dynamic of mutual healing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/forgiveness-no-matter-your-motive-is-a-dynamic-of-mutual-healing/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Forgiveness is not a matter of exonerating people who have hurt you. They may not deserve exoneration. Forgiveness means cleansing your soul of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-s-kushner/forgiveness-is-not-a-matter-of-exonerating-people-who-have-hurt-you/) [Harold S. Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-s-kushner/) > [Forgiveness is not a matter of feeling superior, of feeling sorry for our parents because they didn't' know any better. It comes when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-jampolsky/forgiveness-is-not-a-matter-of-feeling-superior-of-feeling-sorry-for/) [Gerald Jampolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-jampolsky/) > [Forgiveness is not a matter of who is right or wrong. It is a matter of doing the right thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/choa-kok-sui/forgiveness-is-not-a-matter-of-who-is-right-or-wrong-it-is-a-matter/) [Choa Kok Sui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/choa-kok-sui/) > [“True forgiveness for me has been and is a progression of faltering baby steps through a storm of flying debris.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwendolyn-m-plano/true-forgiveness-for-me-has-been-and-is-a-progression-of-faltering/) [Gwendolyn M. Plano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwendolyn-m-plano/) > [Many of us understand giving, but some of us may still be confused about the meaning of forgiveness. Some people may go through life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-templeton/many-of-us-understand-giving-but-some-of-us-may-still-be-confused/) [John Templeton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-templeton/) > [When true forgiveness happens it is one of the most astonishing and liberating of the human experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-holloway/when-true-forgiveness-happens-it-is-one-of-the-most-astonishing-and/) [Richard Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-holloway/) > [“True forgiveness creates the space for someone to be better even when they can’t see why they need to be better, or how.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-hadeed/true-forgiveness-creates-the-space-for-someone-to-be-better-even-when/) [Troy Hadeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-hadeed/) > [True forgiveness and love arise naturally, effortlessly, from the silence of the heart broken all the way open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/true-forgiveness-and-love-arise-naturally-effortlessly-from-the/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [Often, when you are upset and allowing your emotions to control you, forgiveness seems so out of reach. But once you let go and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kel-mitchell/often-when-you-are-upset-and-allowing-your-emotions-to-control-you/) [Kel Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kel-mitchell/) > [Forgiving someone does not mean you condone their behavior. The act of forgiveness takes place in your own mind. It really has nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/forgiving-someone-does-not-mean-you-condone-their-behavior-the-act-of/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [“From Freedom is: "True forgiveness is one of the most healing relasing, and freeing gifts we give to ourselves." "You can't fake it (forgivenss).…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-bays/from-freedom-is-true-forgiveness-is-one-of-the-most-healing-relasing/) [Brandon Bays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-bays/) > [I learned that true forgiveness includes total self-acceptance. And out of acceptance wounds are healed and happiness is possible again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/i-learned-that-true-forgiveness-includes-total-self-acceptance-and/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) ## More by Randy Alcorn > [“God is the highest good of the reasonable creature, and the enjoyment of him is the only happiness with which our souls can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/god-is-the-highest-good-of-the-reasonable-creature-and-the-enjoyment/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [Jesus Himself was criticized. He wasn't a glutton and drunkard, but He was accused of being those things. Why? Because He went to parties…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/jesus-himself-was-criticized-he-wasn-t-a-glutton-and-drunkard-but-he/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [The more you give, the more comes back to you, because God is the greatest giver in the universe, and He won't let you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/the-more-you-give-the-more-comes-back-to-you-because-god-is-the/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [If God was the owner, I was the manager. I needed to adopt a steward's mentality toward the assets He had entrusted - not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/if-god-was-the-owner-i-was-the-manager-i-needed-to-adopt-a-steward-s/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [“The vigor of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our life and thoughts.” —George…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/the-vigor-of-our-spiritual-life-will-be-in-exact-proportion-to-the/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [There's a timeless truth behind the concept of giving God our firstfruits. Whether or not the tithe is still the minimal measure of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/there-s-a-timeless-truth-behind-the-concept-of-giving-god-our/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [Countless mistakes in marriage, parenting, ministry, and other relationships are failures to balance grace and truth. Sometimes we neglect both. Often we choose one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/countless-mistakes-in-marriage-parenting-ministry-and-other/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [Don't forget that the most effective form of child abuse is giving a child everything they want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/don-t-forget-that-the-most-effective-form-of-child-abuse-is-giving-a/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [“Even if materialism brought happiness in this life (which it certainly does not), it would leave us woefully unprepared for the next.   Materialism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/even-if-materialism-brought-happiness-in-this-life-which-it-certainly/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [“When we become proud, we operate outside the grace God only gives to the humble. Humility preserves us; pride destroys us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/when-we-become-proud-we-operate-outside-the-grace-god-only-gives-to/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [I believe the only way to break the power of materialism is first, to see ourselves as stewards that God has entrusted these money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/i-believe-the-only-way-to-break-the-power-of-materialism-is-first-to/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [“The most tragic strain in human existence lies in the fact that the pleasure which we find in the things of this life, however…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/the-most-tragic-strain-in-human-existence-lies-in-the-fact-that-the/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [Give more as you make more. Remember: God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/give-more-as-you-make-more-remember-god-prospers-us-not-to-raise-our/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [If we can keep ourselves from interfering with the natural laws of life, mistakes can be our child's finest teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/if-we-can-keep-ourselves-from-interfering-with-the-natural-laws-of/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [Those who know their unworthiness seize grace as a hungry man seizes bread: the self-righteous resent grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/those-who-know-their-unworthiness-seize-grace-as-a-hungry-man-seizes/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) [Explore all 276 Randy Alcorn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) ## More Forgiveness quotes > [“Lord I come before you, I repent all my sins; forgive me. I repent on behalf of my children forgive them Lord. Help them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/lord-i-come-before-you-i-repent-all-my-sins-forgive-me-i-repent-on/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [“So in practicing blanket forgiveness you first assume that in any current condition of pain or discomfort there is some anger involved, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-kahili-king/so-in-practicing-blanket-forgiveness-you-first-assume-that-in-any/) [Serge Kahili King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-kahili-king/) > [Do what is given to you, and do it well, and you will have done enough...live together in the forgiveness of your sins. Forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-what-is-given-to-you-and-do-it-well-and-you-will-have-done-enough/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The public, more often than not, will forgive mistakes, but it will not forgive trying to wiggle out of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-grizzard/the-public-more-often-than-not-will-forgive-mistakes-but-it-will-not/) [Lewis Grizzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-grizzard/) > [A Real Boyfriend does the sweetest things randomly because he never wants her to feel unappreciated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/a-real-boyfriend-does-the-sweetest-things-randomly-because-he-never/) [Enhance Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enhance-dreams/) > [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/) [Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/) > [Friendship means understanding, not argument. it means forgiveness, not forgetting. it means the memories last, even if contact is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sokhom/friendship-means-understanding-not-argument-it-means-forgiveness-not/) [Sokhom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sokhom/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [“Have an open mind and heart. Learn to journey in understanding and forgiveness. It's not always going to be easy but it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-elle/have-an-open-mind-and-heart-learn-to-journey-in-understanding-and/) [Alexandra Elle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-elle/) > [Forgive us our trespasses," says Margarethe, "and get out of our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/forgive-us-our-trespasses-says-margarethe-and-get-out-of-our-way/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [“ving self and others is an every second of every day of every week, of every month, of every year gift that should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjo-jendayi/ving-self-and-others-is-an-every-second-of-every-day-of-every-week-of/) [Sanjo Jendayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjo-jendayi/) > [Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/forgive-yourself-for-not-being-the-richest-the-thinnest-the-tallest/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [If you can't forgive and forget, pick only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-brault/if-you-can-t-forgive-and-forget-pick-only-one/) [Robert Brault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-brault/) [Browse all 8,311 Forgiveness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Forgiveness is a matter of choice, not feelings. 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