Got some questions: "Forgive us our sins as we forgive THOSE who sin against us..."
Forgiveness eh? What the heck is that?
When have you actually reached the point of forgiving someone?
Is forgiveness strickly something you do for yourself to "feel better"?
Is it easier to just say "you suck, you hurt me, I don't want you in my life anymore" and leave it at that?
What about the really nasty stuff like cheating, rape, stealing, murder?
Is it forgiveness when we can say to someone, "you hurt/betrayed me but I'm still going to love you"?
Do you think you can forgive but still need time to heal? or is that not quite forgiveness?
How do you forgive?
Why forgive?
What the heck does forgiveness look like for you?
I have an idea for myself... But I want your thoughts.
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I think forgiveness is a long, emotionally draining process. Especially when it gets to the point where you think you've forgiven someone, but for some reason there's an inert seed that's been planted in your being that's holding a grudge against them; the lack of complete forgiveness comes out subconsciously for me, in the little things I say/do without really thinking. I think this tricky spot, is still a phase in forgiveness, but perhaps the most difficult to catch.
ReplyDeleteI think forgiveness IS healing. It is extremely liberating. You will never be whole with a grudge. Have you ever forgiven someone after a really long time of hating them? It's freeing, as if a huge weight was take off. It's like you are free to live your life again. God requires us to forgive all men for everything, because if we do not forgive how can we expect for God to forgive us? This can be extremely difficult, and in some cases I do not believe we are emotionally or physically able to do it with out the help of God. That is part of the reason he wants us to forgive, so we must turn to him in prayer and ask for help. If we do, it may be a long process, but we will learn to forgive. To me, forgiveness is not condoning or agreeing with what the person did, but loving them as a human being. Forgiveness is becoming more like Christ. He loves everyone more deeply than we can imagine, and yet we have hurt him through every sin we commit more than anyone can imagine. It's a process that is well worth the cost. -Sarah Hancock
ReplyDeleteThank you both! Hopefully I will have another post soon :)
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