Where does forgiveness start? Does it start with a feeling of sorrow or a heartfelt confession of forgiveness? I believe it starts with both, feeling and a heart of forgiveness. Can anyone forgive but their forgiveness not be received? Yes, but that doesn’t hold the person hostage that have asked for forgiveness. The release occurs when the forgiveness is asked. Only God knows the sincerity of the heart and we cannot reject forgiveness because we cannot judge the heart.