The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as to for-give an enemy;to cease to feel resentment for,as to forgive an offense].
I have heard people say this many times: "I will never forgive them for what they did!", as if by saying this they are causing harm to the person who hurt them. The reality is that they are doing the harm to themselves alone. As defined in the dictionary, when you forgive someone you "cease to feel resentment". Resentment, along with anger, hate, jealousy and other negative emotions, will eat you up inside and can cause actual physical ailments and disease.
Often times after we have been emotionally,physically or spiritually hurt, the pain quickly turns to anger and resentment. We go over the episodes of the past in our heads, re-living each painful moment again and again like a never-ending nightmare. Each time we do this the old feelings surface and we once again feel the gut-wrenching pain the person caused us. By doing this we are living in the past instead of the present, and it can be a dangerous thing for everyone involved but the majority of danger falls right into your lap.
Many people feel that forgiveness is a gift. I agree! It is a gift, but not to the one you are forgiving. The gift is to yourself and what a wonderous gift it can be. By forgiving the people who have hurt you in the past you set yourself free from the chains of resentment and other harmful emotions running rampant through your mind, body and spirit. By forgiving you are taking away the control the other person has over you....You are empowering yourself and growing by spiritual leaps and bounds. You will heal deep-rooted pain that perhaps you thought was gone a long time ago but has survived, living under all of the resentment that you have held onto for so long. By forgiving you are one step closer to your journey of self-growth and healing.
Some of you are on a journey of helping Creator to give healing to others who need it. The first step on your journey is to heal yourself. This can be very difficult as well as painful but the upside to the difficulties and pain is the end result, which is very rewarding indeed. It will be rewarding for both you as a healer and for those who you will help to heal.
I have heard of horrific and tragic stories relating to the suffering that people on this earth have gone through and like many of you, I have often asked how Creator could place anyone in such situations. The truth of the matter is... Many people who have lived such suffering and painful lives, or have survived horrific events... go on to become wonderful healers on this earth, doing Creator's work. They start foundations,organizations,become therapists,doctors,authors of self-help and spiritual books,host talk shows... the list goes on... So perhaps this was Creator's plan all along and we should be thankful for many of the sufferings that have taken place and that we have to endure. Without them many people would not be who they are today- stronger, healthier, more forgiving, more helpful to others,more loving...
I once held on to a great amount of anger towards someone who had caused me pain for many years. One day a spiritual healer asked me to surround this person in light and send him love. I looked at the spiritual healer as if she were crazy! How DARE she ask me to do such a thing! How did she even think I would be capable of forgiving someone who had hurt me so bad?! I tried to remain open to what she was telling me, but honestly did not believe I could go through with it. Then she said something to me that grabbed my attention- "By forgiving him and sending him loving thoughts, you will free yourself and he will no longer have such a great hold on you". As I drove home after speaking with her, I thought of this sentence many times and just the idea of the freedom from the pain sounded so joyous and peaceful, yet far away at the same time.
About a week later I quietly sat down and asked Creator to help me do what needed to be done. I asked Creator to surround this man in his light, and then sent loving thoughts to him along with my forgiveness. Most importantly, I forgave myself for the choices I had made during those years, and took responsibility for them as well. The pain that I had been holding for so long in my heart slowly poured out as I wept tears of sadness and joy at the same time. That day I freed myself from the chains of resentment and anger... from the pain I had endured for so many years... and from the control of a man who would no longer control anything about me, or within me... I had healed myself with help from Creator, and from the spiritual healer who with one sentence... changed me, and healed me... I am thankful to her and to my experience, for it has made me who I am today.
The next time you think of the act of forgiveness, try not to only see the other person(s) as the only recipient... for you are the most important recipient involved... and you are well worth it.
Lisa Hoskins is a jewelry designer who owns Animal Spirit Jewelry. She has studied animals her whole life and is now blessed from Spirit to be able to create jewelry based upon the spiritual principles revolving around animal totems and guides, and spiritual principles.
You can find her website at http://www.animalspiritjewelry.com
*You may re-print this article as long as it remains as shown here with full bio and links attached.*
kitchen deep cleaning Deerfield ..Feeling restless? Is part of you calling out for change,... Read More
As Christian's we are often very independent. We try to... Read More
I thought for sometime that I was hard done bye... Read More
We often forget that we are human beings first, and... Read More
As you grow in wisdom, you will release, more and... Read More
Maybe once in a lifetime, we find ourselves seeking spiritual... Read More
Surveys show that religion and spirituality play a central role... Read More
James 1:23-24Anyone who listens to the word but does not... Read More
Picture this state of existence in your mind by closing... Read More
Realisation and repeated memorization of the true knowledge is the... Read More
Spending 'Quiet Time' with the LordFrom the beginning of my... Read More
Sometimes, in traveling a path, we discover a short-cut, and... Read More
"What does it profit a man to have gained the... Read More
The spiritually dead church. Now, I am not talking about... Read More
As I listen with pastors and preachers in the body... Read More
In this series I would like to take you through... Read More
A Tarot card deck typically consists of 78 colorful cards... Read More
Faith is the remarkable force that gives us the empowerment... Read More
The possibility of almost 400 Old Testament prophesies coming to... Read More
No, I have never seen a fairy, an angel, nor... Read More
Far to many people have become "followers" rather than BEING... Read More
We have to go through some unfortunate experiences sometimes in... Read More
Divining Rods, also known as Dowsing Rods, have been used... Read More
Each of us has far more potential to serve the... Read More
Kundalini Awakening - the sure shot method for awakening of... Read More
interior house cleaning Highland Park ..Mormons like to give testimonies. Unlike Mormon testimonies, I will... Read More
It's late. But it's usually those words that you cannot... Read More
Let's say that you have discovered your purpose but you... Read More
I do not want curiosity seekers, who come for a... Read More
Eden, the garden of ecstasy is no longer available to... Read More
I'm not sure Paul had the Japanese culture in mind... Read More
An acrostic prayer poem.The Lord loves me and is gracious... Read More
The Question Really picture this in your mind.... Someone tells... Read More
Your guardian angel is your link to the divine. The... Read More
The Kundalini is a pool of energy that lies dormant... Read More
As we walk along our paths in life, we will... Read More
Rose Ann Schwab is an internationally and world renowned professional... Read More
Freedom....The cherished goal of humanity throughout its history.No society has... Read More
(Channelled)Roy, what a marvellous job you are doing on your... Read More
"There must be a higher love/Without it life is wasted... Read More
When I first heard Donnie McClurkin's song, "We Fall Down... Read More
While there are alot of warnings and admonishments regarding what... Read More
Lectio divina is a very useful and practical discipline for... Read More
"...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I... Read More
There is power in meanings of the old images and... Read More
Did you ever know somebody who easily accumulates wealth? If... Read More
'Jesus answered, are there not twelve hours in a day?... Read More
Most forms of psychotherapy I know either tries to help... Read More
The following article is an exploration of the Spring holiday... Read More
Matthew 2:13-15 The Flight to Egypt13 Now when they had... Read More
Spirituality |