Greetings Ladies,
I hope you all had a blessed week.
For the last two weeks we have been talking and working on "Forgiveness of Self". For the next two weeks, I'm hoping for us to spend time on "Forgiveness For Others"
We can never be free of bitterness as long as we continue to think unforgiving thoughts. How can we be happy in this moment if we continue to choose to be angry and resentful? Thoughts of bitterness can't create joy. ( Louise Hay)
Forgiveness doesn't mean that we deny the other person's responsibility for hurting us , and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. We can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps us go on with life
Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for happiness, health and peace. Forgiveness can lead to:
- Healthier relationships
- Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
- Less anxiety, stress and hostility
- Lower blood pressure
- Fewer symptoms of depression
- Stronger immune system
- Improved heart health
- Higher self-esteem
When we're hurt by someone we love and trust, we might become angry, sad or confused. If we dwell on hurtful events or situations, grudges filled with resentment, vengeance and hostility can take root. If we allow negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, we might find ourself swallowed up by our own bitterness or sense of injustice.
Forgiveness is a commitment to a process of change. Here are some tools we can use to begin the process of Forgiving Others:
- Consider the value of forgiveness and its importance in your life at a given time
- Reflect on the facts of the situation, how you've reacted, and how this combination has affected your life, health and well-being
- Actively choose to forgive the person who's offended you, when you're ready
- Move away from your role as victim and release the control and power the offending person and situation have had in your life
As we let go of grudges, we'll no longer define our life by how we've been hurt. We might even find compassion and understanding?
Please use these tools above as you start the process of Forgiving Others. Please feel free to share how, if any of these worked or helped you this week.
Please make your comments no later than Friday.
Question,
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts on forgiving through letting go. I'm talking about more than letting go of the situation, but letting go of people that have cause wrongdoing or bring negative energy. Can you forgive and let go of someone altogether? Are you forgiving someone if you choose not to associate yourself with them any longer?
Good point Jennifer!
DeleteJennifer and I discussed this a little yesterday. My opinion on forgiving someone and not dealing with them anymore can be a way of forgiveness if you talk to the person letting them know you have chosen to forgive them this way. That way, you have truly forgiven them in your mind and it won't be something your still worrying about on if you have forgiven them or not?
ReplyDeleteJennifer and I discussed this a little yesterday. My opinion on forgiving someone and not dealing with them anymore can be a way of forgiveness if you talk to the person letting them know you have chosen to forgive them this way. That way, you have truly forgiven them in your mind and it won't be something your still worrying about on if you have forgiven them or not?
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to fully forgive someone because even if you think you've forgiven them, that anger and resent still lingers. How do you fully forgive and forget? That's something I really struggle with.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the fact that once you let go of playing victim you release the control and power at someone or a situation has over your life. I've been going through a lot of heartache and being hurt by someone that I loved and noticed that as soon as I chose and my heart to be forgiving and leave the past in the past accept what has happened that I instantly felt that I had control back over my life just by letting go instead or holding on to the pain and hurt that someone has caused me. I think that holding on to it you're only hurting yourself more and causing yourself to hurt or be sad or depressed even longer than the situation lasted. But what I truly chose to forgive and move on I felt a sense of Freedom like a dark cloud that was over my head was now gone.
ReplyDeleteI think true forgiveness requires letting go. Saying you forgive someone, but holding onto the very thing that hurt you, means that you truly haven't forgiven. To get an excellent example of forgiveness, look at God. How many times have we said, thought, done things that were harmful to other people, and hurtful to God. Yet, God has always forgiven us, and His love for us keeps no record of wrong. We have to adopt the mentality and compassion that God has for us when it comes to forgiving others.
ReplyDelete