I will add. And this is very personal. I hurt a friend very badly once in my late teens. I made every excuse and rationality in my head as to why I did it, why it really wasn't "so bad" and every reason I gave myself was ridiculous, but it was because I just couldn't deal with the pain I caused her. I felt awful about what I did I just wanted to find every reason why she shouldn't hurt that bad.
I grew up, paid the price, trust me, karma got me. We are friends now. I was finally able to face the wrong in what I did. And she had forgiven me before I even did that. I think her forgiveness helped me.
