ABSTRACT
Anyone who has experienced conflict realizes the direct connection between conflict and forgiveness. Especially in ongoing relationships, sometimes one or both persons will engage in hurtful behaviors. The hurtful behaviors that accompany escalating and unregulated expression of conflict vary in degree of intensity and, therefore, in the pain they cause. The less serious may require only a mild reproach and a heartfelt concession to repair any damage to the relationship. However, serious breaches require a complete and heartfelt apology from the offender for there to be any chance of forgiveness and relationship repair. In some situations, no matter what offenders say or do, the people they have hurt can not or will not forgive, and even if they can forgive, they have no desire to continue in the relationship. The sense of hurt and betrayal is simply too deep for them to trust any more; the relationship has been irreparably harmed and must end.
