Freedom is Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Because we are vulnerable, we experience hurt in our lives. Pain resulting from a blow to our self-esteem can cause humiliation and shame. Although the injury may be imagined, we can feel real pain. If this turns into resentment we recall the painful details and feel the emotions of the experience as though it happened yesterday. The memory may seem haunting, and we will wish to be free of it.

Treatment can help us end dwelling on the past that resentments or holding grudges can cause. It may allow us to think about past grievances without feeling pain. We will see our lives as a journey where forgiveness serves as a way station where we can unload the extra luggage of resentments, and then we can travel more lightly and swiftly.

Resentment is the result of not forgiving. It makes us unwilling to let go of our past hurts, as though letting go somehow defeat our opportunity for justice. We will see that no matter how right we might feel resentment keep us “victims” and cannot protect us from “future hurt”. On the other hand, forgiveness often “frees” us of resentment, helping us to let go of the past and “heal old wounds.”

Forgiveness is important for three reasons. First, forgiveness frees us from resentment. Since resentment is the number one obstacle for many people in recovery programs, forgiveness is essential to our wellbeing. Forgiving lets go of any claim on another for retribution. “We do not seek revenge.” Second, forgiveness can heal relationships. It allows us to make progress in our lives. People who report being “stuck” in their recovery might examine whether or not they need to forgive someone in their past. Third, forgiveness leads to freedom, giving us more spiritual energy to concentrate on positive things. Forgiveness releases us from resentments that wear us out spiritually and psychologically.

It is also important that we know what forgiving does not do. Forgiving does not change the other person or protect us from future harm. Forgiveness is not a suit of armor that shields us from injury, nor does it give license to others to do whatever they want to us in the future. Although forgiving releases others from any claims we have on them, it does not release them from their conscience of legal consequences of their behavior. Forgiveness does not excuse us from responsibly confronting or informing people of we were hurt or injured by their behavior.

When we forgive others we pardon them for a fault or an offense-we let go of any anger or resentment against them. We stop acting like a judge waiting to pass sentence. We grant pardon without holding a grudge.

The act of forgiveness frees us from resentments. Forgiveness is letting go of painful memories. As we forgive we let go of the pain and punishment we inflicted upon ourselves by holding a grudge. Once we let go of the resentment, once we forgive a person, we are relieved of our burden and we open ourselves to receive the gift of “serenity”. The door to our mental prison swings open and we find ourselves on a spiritual hilltop overlooking a valley of peace. We see we were not diminished by forgiving, but empowered. Forgiveness is an act of freedom.
-Author unknown

Self-discipline: correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement
Self-punishment: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment of oneself
Self-pity: indulgent dwelling on one’s sorrows or misfortune
Forgive: to pardon; show mercy to
Mercy: a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

Matthew 6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.


Thank you to David for sending me this article to encourage us all.