Could you please describe to me what you mean by a “change of heart” toward someone who was cruel to me? It seems unlikely that my heart will grow softer toward him, who does not deserve this.
From the perspective of justice, the other person does not necessarily deserve your forgiveness. However, it is reasonable from the perspective of mercy to go beyond justice and treat this person kindly despite the unfair treatment you have received. Mercy transcends justice. Therefore, if you choose to be merciful toward this individual, your task is to work on seeing beyond the injustice to recognize a person who is more than the unfair behaviors. Expanding your view of him in this way can foster feelings of sympathy, empathy, and even compassion over time. This may seem unlikely to you right now, as you may not have begun your journey of forgiveness. However, if you pursue the merciful path of forgiveness, you may discover that your heart softens toward this person.
