I am not sure if this is the correct area to post this but I thought some would be able to relate. I first got depression and anxiety when I was 13 mostly because of bullying. The emotional bullying was tolerable, but the physical bullying really opened my eyes to the hate they had towards me and it truly depresses me. If they felt remorse and asked for forgiveness I would be able to forgive them, but I can't just forgive them when they don't care about what they have done. I know God forgave me through irresistible grace when I did not deserve it, but as hard as I try I can't give that kind of forgiveness towards the bullies. I have tried using a therapy that I used to use for ptsd which involves exchanging a negative memory with a positive one (looking on the bright side in others words), and that does help but the effects are still there. What I'm trying to say is I think they have done permanent damage that I cannot undue which means I cannot forgive them. I think this angers God since He wants me to forgive others as He has forgiven me. How can I forgive them? It's too bad we can't just sleep and drink all day to forget the past. I realize that I am seeing the glass half empty, since I have dozens of positive memories, but I can't help but feel affected by the negative ones. I used to have bad coping mechanisms and I would use alcohol and laughter to deal with it but now that I'm a Christian I don't want to do that. I have always had a problem of suppressing my issues and then it resurfaces and causes depression and anxiety. If I could start resolving these issues correctly I would be much more at peace, and I think forgiveness is the only way to do so.
