I have lived a lifetime before I came to this point. Forgiving can keep us trapped in the cycles of abuse and allow them to keep hurting us. Thank you for sharing this Matthew. So many of us need encouragement and reinforcement that you are sharing. My experience is that society, family and culture pushed me back into the abuse. It is very difficult to let go and have the courage and strength to stand against all of the manipulation, control and onslaught of the displeasure and behaviors when you (are trying to) get away from the abuse.