The Gift of Forgiveness

[Sharyn]

Never underestimate the healing power of forgiveness. Here's another great little video about forgiveness.

The Gift of Forgiveness

Love, Light & Blessings
Sharyn

[Ahimsa]

That was beautiful. Thank you Sharyn!

[musingmus]

this video was inspiring, but the question i always have is-
HOW do you forgive? sure if someone says IM sorry to me, then i forgive them, or vice versa. but it seems it goes beyond just those words- "your forgiven".

how does one really forgive. I want to forgive my mother and step father and me for everything i endured as a child, but when i say i forgive you, i do not feel any release. i still hold mountains of anger, resentment, abandonment issues, and psychological issues and the list carries on.

I know if i could just "forgive" then i could be set free of some if not all of the emotions i go through.

really- how does one truly forgive? what does it mean to forgive? how do you know, deep down someone is forgiven?

thanks

[Adrienne]

here another one

i like this one i found after watching the one Sharyn posted
YouTube - Forgiveness and the Freedom of Letting go

enjoy
Adrienne

[Kevin]

this video was inspiring, but the question i always have is-
HOW do you forgive? sure if someone says IM sorry to me, then i forgive them, or vice versa. but it seems it goes beyond just those words- "your forgiven".

how does one really forgive. I want to forgive my mother and step father and me for everything i endured as a child, but when i say i forgive you, i do not feel any release. i still hold mountains of anger, resentment, abandonment issues, and psychological issues and the list carries on.

I know if i could just "forgive" then i could be set free of some if not all of the emotions i go through.

really- how does one truly forgive? what does it mean to forgive? how do you know, deep down someone is forgiven?

thanks

I will take a stab at this LARGE subject!

Here is an excerpt from a page I googled, using "definition of forgiveness". It was the first result.

What is a definition for forgiveness?

A definition for forgiveness could be -- giving up my right to hurt you, for hurting me. It is impossible to live on this fallen planet without getting hurt, offended, misunderstood, lied to, and rejected. Learning how to respond properly is one of the basics of the Christian life.

There is confusion about what is involved with forgiveness. Forgiveness is not saying that things are okay now, and then going back into an abusive situation. It is not letting someone off the hook by saying, “You didn’t do anything wrong.” Some people think that forgiveness is unconditional love with no boundaries or accountability. It is not. Forgiveness is not denial that a hurtful situation exists, and it isn’t denying the fact that your feelings are hurt. And forgiveness does not mean you accept the person’s behavior.

What does God say about forgiveness?

* The Bible gives us much instruction when it comes to forgiveness.
* We forgive because we have been forgiven by God (Ephesians 4:32).
* We forgive in obedience to God (Matthew 6:14-15; Romans 12:18).
* We forgive others to gain control of our lives from hurt emotions (Genesis 4:1-8).
* We forgive so we won’t become bitter and defile those around us (Hebrews 12:14-15).

What if I don’t feel like forgiving others?
There are times we don’t feel like forgiving those who have wronged us. It is easier to act our way into feeling than to feel our way into acting. Having a nature of not forgiving others brings about bitterness, and bitterness has been linked to stress-related illnesses by some medical researchers. By forgiving others, we free ourselves spiritually and emotionally. Forgiveness is an act of our own personal will in obedience and submission to God’s will, trusting God to bring emotional healing.

How can I help those struggling with forgiveness?
People who have experienced abuse, trauma, or loss need time to sort things out and let God bring them to the place of forgiveness in His time. God’s timing is always the right time for each individual. The act of forgiving others is between us and God. The only time we need to forgive a person face-to-face is at the moment we are asked by that person to forgive them for the hurt they have caused.

There are things we can do to help those struggling with the forgiveness of others. We can support them with encouraging words and by listening to them. Taking our time and being gentle with them will allow them to progress through the steps of forgiveness the way God wants them to proceed.

A prayer of forgiveness
Dear God, I choose as an act of my will, regardless of my feelings, to forgive the person who has wronged me. I release them, and I set myself free to Your healing. With Your help, I will no longer dwell on the situation or continue to talk about it. I thank You for forgiving me as I have forgiven them. I thank You for releasing me. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.

[Adrienne]

hmmmm

well, i know forgiveness is something needed in my life... the biggest i think is forgiving myself...
the definition that makes sense to me is to let it go, which doesn't mean forget or excuse it.. but let go of the attachement to the feeling like it was personal...
for myself forgiveness for me from me is huge cuz i have become aware of how i have beleived everything has been my fault.....
and i like the bit from what kevin posted about forgiveness happening for everyone at the right time and in gods time...
yes good question about how do we forgive...
my move to vanderhoof seems to be about forgiveness in some way...
love and light
Adrienne

[noises]

Hmmm. Forgiving is an act of love. perhaps the greatest act of love, because it aknowledges the hurt another person has done, and releases the pain in your from that pain through your own strength of character, not through anything they've done to "deserve it." Forgiving is choosing to rise above the pain, now, to be the manifestation of the divine, to stop the cycle of hurt leading to more hurt. How do we do it? By realising we're bigger than the things that hurt us.