Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. (Mat 18:21-22 NKJ)
Forgiveness and unforgiveness are powerful. Forgiveness releases the other party and you, yes, you. Unforgiveness has no effect on the other party, but it will stop you being receiving forgiveness from God and will eat you alive with bitterness, hatred, and feelings of the need to get revenge. The wounds may run deep, and it may seem impossible to forgive, but the healing process cannot start until we do.
So. Peter asks, ‘how many times should I forgive, seven times?’ That’s a good number. Jesus says no, ‘seventy times seven.’ The hope is that each time you let go and let God, something happens to change you and the other person.