And when you stand
praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father
in heaven may forgive you your sins. " Mark 11:25
Forgiveness is a big topic, dealt with in all religions
and spiritual practices. It is so important because as human beings we will all
at some point hurt another person physically, emotionally, psychologically. Carrying
hurt is like carrying a huge stone on your back and never putting it down. It
poisons you against others and flavours all of your decisions. Research has
shown that your body responds to your emotions,
carrying hurts has a physiological consequence...illness and depression.
It is important to forgive
others and ourselves. It is a process. You may not be able to do it quickly or
without prayer but god can help us do
it. Truly forgive....do not let it just be words or on the surface. We are only
human we have vengeful hearts and are prone to wanting revenge or to remind
those who have hurt us that they hurt us.
Forgive but do not
forget. Everything happens for a reason. God puts us in situations so that we
may learn from them. Move on from your
hurts and the past but do not forget the lesson it taught you.
“The stupid neither forgive
nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget”
Anon.
What about when you hurt someone? Just saying you are
sorry is not always enough, or even what the person needs to be able to truly
forgive you. You can seek guidance from God to help you to make things right.
Remember that your acts/words may seem like just that to the one you have hurt.
Give them time.
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that
the prisoner was you” Lewis B. Smedes
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