Just a few thoughts on forgiveness following the previous post on the subject of Restoring Goodness Without Condemnation.
To my way of thinking one of the biggest gifts you can give another and yourself, is forgiveness. They say that anger is a hot coal you hold in your hand. You can throw it at the person you hate, but you still burn your own hand.
Forgiveness may not be easy. Perhaps some people don’t deserve forgiveness. But who are we to know the depths of pain in others? What cruelties have they endured that darkened their hearts?
When we forgive, we are not saying we approve or have forgotten the pain caused by another. Rather, we are choosing to rise above anger and hatred. We are freeing our self, and the other, to start anew.
Forgiveness shows that love trumps hatred and pain. A charitable heart can sometimes expunge years of pain and anger. And even if the person forgiven does not accept your gift, you have reached the moral high ground. Not that you’re trying to be better than the other, but that you’re freeing yourself and showing the other that there is another way.
Forgiveness heals wounds. And when the ones forgiven eventually “shake off their mortal coils,” dealing with the loss is a little bit easier. Because forgiveness invites closure.
Forgiveness may not be easy. Perhaps some people don’t deserve forgiveness. But who are we to know the depths of pain in others? What cruelties have they endured that darkened their hearts?
When we forgive, we are not saying we approve or have forgotten the pain caused by another. Rather, we are choosing to rise above anger and hatred. We are freeing our self, and the other, to start anew.
Forgiveness shows that love trumps hatred and pain. A charitable heart can sometimes expunge years of pain and anger. And even if the person forgiven does not accept your gift, you have reached the moral high ground. Not that you’re trying to be better than the other, but that you’re freeing yourself and showing the other that there is another way.
Forgiveness heals wounds. And when the ones forgiven eventually “shake off their mortal coils,” dealing with the loss is a little bit easier. Because forgiveness invites closure.
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