I have an interpersonal situation where someone apparently feels I’m responsible for committing grave wrongs against them. As they explained what I did, it was that I said something ‘sarcastically’. I didn’t say it sarcastically, which means the rationale for them being offended was completely wrong. This led to a series of offenses the other person committed against me, all stemming from a wrong assumption. From my perspective, this other person has long been overly touchy, easily offended, and prone to overreaction, but I have always just written it off as a being quick tempered, but nothing too serious. However, after some particularly nasty recent comments, I find myself at a real crossroad- do I even want to continue a relationship with them anymore. (I should point out that this is a family member, so in one sense, I can’t just discontinue the relationship. But discontinuing interaction is on the table.)
At this point, I basically don’t want to interact with them anymore. But I also know that as a born-again christian, the Lord has forgiven me of way more. I feel to the core that I don’t have any business not forgiving others when I myself have been forgiven much worse offenses. Therein is my struggle. I want to forgive, but I don’t want any more interaction. Are those things compatible?

Over the years I’ve heard people say something along the lines of: you can forgive someone but not trust them anymore!
Maybe this is true, but something feels self-deceptive about it too. Or maybe that’s just my own shortcomings in imagining how it plays out. But in Matthew 5, Jesus also talks about the “eye for an eye” principle, saying not to resist an evil person. If they slap you on the right cheek, turn the left too… and if they want to sue you and take your shirt, give them your coat as well.“
That sure seems like more than what I’m feeling like right now. Which in turn has me considering just how far short I fall in the forgiveness category.
I want to make sure that I’m doing more than just forgiving in word, but not in deed.
One of the things I was ruminating on this morning during prayer time is that no matter what, I think I can hold forgiveness out to this other person as a matter of fact. At any point, if they were to repent, it would be automatic. But even more, I feel like it’s an automated response. The forgiveness is held out even without repentance, so that even during a period of nothing happening, it’s out there as an offer. After the accusations and ill feeling, I don’t have any desire to be around the other, and I’ll try to avoid contact if possible, but I don’t have it in me to really hold a grudge. 

I have been hurt by what I feel like are false accusations.
I have been mystified by why the other person has decided I’m the current enemy.
I have been angry enough at times, and with that- unforgiving too.

But processing through these thoughts on forgiveness this morning, I feel like it’s there. Automatically there. I of course fall way short of Jesus’ instructions, and I want to do better. As for interacting, I don’t really know how to overcome the hatred this other person feels for me. So I stay out of their way for now. But as for me, I don’t want any of the ill feelings .