The Nature of Forgiveness
By Genie Walker, published Feb 26, 2008
Published Content: 161 Total Views: 34,877 Favorited By: 116 CPs
Random House Webster's unabridged dictionary
This definition doesn't have enough information, so I'm including the definition of forgive:
1. to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc); absolve. 2. to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.) 3. to grant pardon to (a person). 4. to cease to feel resentment against 5 . to cancel an indebtedness or liability 6. to pardon an offense or an offender.
Random House Webster's unabridged dictionary
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to forgive someone? Have you noticed that it is easier to forgive a stranger than your family and close friends? What about forgiving yourself? I feel it is harder to forgive myself? I have pondered over these questions for years and here are my conclusions. Basically, I have found that forgiving people became easier when I realized that the act of forgiveness isn't for those who have wronged me, but it is for my own best interest. Lewis B. Smedes said "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." I hadn't thought of forgiveness in this light before, but I believe he is right.
Holding on to old hurts and anger can cause a bitterness to arise within you. This bitterness of being a victim or feeling like a helpless victim can cause more harm to you spiritually, mentally, and emotionally than the original event/situation. I wouldn't be surprised to find that it affects you physically as well. When I tell you to practice forgiveness I'm not discounting the event or situation that happened to you. It happened, it was awful and it shouldn't have happened. But it did. It's in the past. Do not let it rob you of your future and mess with your present. Let it go. Forgive the person(s) involved. Forgive all who were involved in the event or situation. It will free you from bondage.
You may also like...
- The Gifts of Forgiveness
- The Debunking of the False Dichotomy Between Integrity and Survival in "Sir Gawain and the Green Kni...
- Sins in the Book of Matthew
- The Ghosts of Jim Comes to Joburg: The Search for a True Cultural Narrative in Post-Apartheid Africa
- The Book of Jonah
- Behind the Romance: Society's True Face as Seen in The Importance of Being Earnest and Sure Thing
- The Power of Story and Effective Storytelling
- The Influence of Judaism on Islam
- The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah
- Baptisms Within the Book of Acts: Why Baptism Is Not Just A Symbol
Most Commented On


monica rudig
Add a Comment
Posted on 06/11/2008 at 6:06:37 PM
Baconator
Add a Comment
Posted on 06/03/2008 at 9:06:31 PM
Louisa364
Add a Comment
Posted on 05/21/2008 at 11:05:11 AM
A.M. Morgan
Add a Comment
Posted on 05/01/2008 at 7:05:54 AM
Kassidy Emmerson
Add a Comment
Posted on 04/24/2008 at 8:04:48 AM
Smorg
Add a Comment
Posted on 04/24/2008 at 12:04:41 AM
Cindi Starr
Add a Comment
Posted on 04/23/2008 at 1:04:59 PM
Catdog
Add a Comment
Posted on 04/14/2008 at 12:04:15 AM
ILAKKUVANAR MARAIMALAI
Add a Comment
Posted on 03/29/2008 at 10:03:54 AM
SAIKAT KUMAR DUTTA
Add a Comment
Posted on 03/17/2008 at 9:03:21 AM
Mags
Add a Comment
Posted on 03/12/2008 at 3:03:56 PM
Victoria Hale
Add a Comment
Posted on 03/11/2008 at 11:03:58 PM
Branwen66
Add a Comment
Posted on 03/07/2008 at 11:03:55 AM
Melissa Mendelson
Add a Comment
Posted on 03/07/2008 at 7:03:27 AM
Jean Riva
Add a Comment
Posted on 03/05/2008 at 9:03:13 PM