The power of forgiveness.
Hey y’all! Just thought I would share some quick thoughts I have about the topic of forgiveness. Over my life journey, I’ve learned about what forgiveness truly is and what it does. Yes, it’s extremely hard. It’s so hard to let go of these grudge feelings - when people hurt us, it sticks with us. It’s like a chain that shackles us to the floor, limiting our progress forward.
My journey to learning forgiveness wasn’t easy. I have also been deeply hurt by people, and even now the hurt lingers in my thoughts, changing who I am. The difference though, is that I have forgiven those who hurt me. I know that we all make mistakes, and even when they aren’t sorry, I do not have to hold onto that hatred. We are all people made in God’s image, and I must forgive others if I want God to forgive me - otherwise, I am a hypocrite. I realized that even when other people aren’t willing to move past bitter behavior, I don’t have to be stuck right here with them. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting; I remember the hurt, and I refuse to let it happen again. It just means that I won’t be shackled down by it, and I choose to love the person regardless of whether or not they are sorry. This doesn’t mean acting as if nothing happened, it just means not allowing it to burden you and continue to fuel hatred.
What has learning to forgive done for me? Well, I still have a ways to go, but it has ultimately helped me to feel more joyful and peaceful. I reminisce less on bad events and I am able to live slowly with less stress. Instead of focusing on past hurt, I can focus more on a hopeful and joyous future.
Matthew 6:14-15
If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Galatians 5:22-33
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
#christian #catholic #bible #jesus #forgiveness #lemon8contest #summerdiary
Hey everyone! Building on what I've shared about finding peace through forgiveness, I wanted to dive a little deeper into the 'how.' We often hear about the importance of forgiving, but actually doing it, especially when the hurt runs deep, feels impossible. I've been there, truly. That feeling of injustice, the anger simmering beneath the surface – it clings to you like a shadow. For me, the power of forgiveness wasn't an overnight revelation. It was a gradual process, much like peeling back layers of an onion. One of the biggest shifts in my mindset came when I realized that forgiving wasn't about condoning the other person's actions or even letting them off the hook. It was about severing the chains that bound me to that pain. I learned that holding onto resentment was like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. It only harmed me. So, how do you start to forgive when every fiber of your being resists? My first step was acknowledging the pain honestly. Not suppressing it, but sitting with it, understanding its depth. Then, I began to reframe my perspective. Instead of focusing on what they did to me, I shifted to what forgiveness could do *for me*. It was about reclaiming my emotional freedom and energy. I started small, practicing compassion for myself first, recognizing that I deserved peace. Another crucial aspect for me was setting boundaries. Forgiving doesn't mean allowing harmful behavior to continue. It means releasing the emotional debt you feel towards someone, but it absolutely allows you to protect yourself going forward. You can forgive someone and still choose to limit or end your interactions with them. This was a challenging but necessary lesson: forgiving others doesn't mean becoming a doormat. It means consciously choosing not to carry their burden on your shoulders anymore. I also found immense comfort in journaling. Writing down my feelings, the anger, the sadness, the confusion, helped me process everything without judgment. It became a safe space to vent and, eventually, to consciously write down my intention to let go. It's not a magic fix, and some days the hurt resurfaces, but each time, I remind myself of the peace I've gained. The journey to true OWEVER of FORGIVENESS is ongoing, but the freedom it offers is immeasurable.
