Let’s start with today’s blog with a story.😊
I used to be someone who held grudges against people who wronged me and never ever want to speak to them again until I told my mum how my classmate got me angry by stealing my notebooks in school and how I got punished for that reason and how I vowed to retaliate and make her(my classmate) regret what she did.
“Dear child” she said,”You do not have to retaliate or revenge because it brings greater burden” She made illustrations to the Lord’s prayer “…and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us….”.She made me understand that God is merciful and because we’re made in his image and likeness, we’re to be merciful just like him,we must be able to have a forgiving spirit which is a criteria for seeking forgiveness from God. She gave more teachings from the Bible most especially from Matt 6:14-15 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins”… Her teachings gave me a brighter view on absolution and remission
This brings me to the main discourse today.
Which is better, Revenge or Forgiveness?
You’ve probably heard of the word forgiveness. But I want to ask you, what is the exact thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “Forgiveness”?
To forgive, love and to let go isn’t for the weak.
Well, there might have been a situation, in which you remember that makes you wonder if you could ever think of forgiveness.Maybe situation while growing up, maybe you have an ugly experience that someone you love did to you which broke you beyond repair and dropped you to tears and frustration, which almost lead to depression and suicide. maybe you look at the person and just wish them dead, and that’s the only way forgiveness could ever happen in your own perspective.
We all have different perspectives when it comes to forgiveness.
Your perspective might be preferring the individual who wronged you to die before he/she could be forgiven or let me say, you actually feel repulsed by the idea of forgiving someone who has really hurt you. But true forgiveness does not come with a negative thought or wish,it is letting go of all wrongs and overlooking them for the sake of peace
In all sincerity of heart, while thinking about writing on this particular topic and imagining the depth of principle it has on me,I didn’t think buying gifts, hugging, smiling and all that represents forgiveness, It wasn’t like that, I had more withdrawal than I expected. Definitely which we would dive more into this discussion as we explore the meaning and purpose of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a process of healing.When you forgive, it let’s your heart heal and opens door to physical, emotional,mental and psychological healing
Forgiveness isn’t for the “faint of heart” because personally when I have been hurt and betrayed to the extent of been wounded emotionally and the opportunity for me to practice forgiveness comes, it isn’t the first thing I would ever do at that point, not even my second option if there was one…First thing that comes to my mind is REVENGE,but I have come to a conclusion that revenge only worsens the situation,it brings up the darkest memories of the past, the betrayal. It breeds anger, malice and frustration thinking about such experience.
Perhaps you are finding it hard to forgive, you may want to undergo a deep process to help you release the anger, sadness, pain,blame, constant guilt and sorrow, that you have been holding inside of you for a very long time.
Do not forget, you must endeavor to allow yourself forgive whatever has happened in the past.
IF YOU CAN’T LET GO OF THE HURT, FORGIVENESS IS NOTHING BUT LIP SERVICE, IT’S JUST A WORD.
Living a well and peaceful lifestyle requires going out of your way to do the unexpected.
Personally, you need to let go of all that blame and the hurt. Express it out, even say it out loud: ‘I forgive this.’
Forgiveness is only real if you let go of the whole consciousness. Only then, would the body process healing.
Do you have relationships in your life where you still may be holding on to that need to punish them for something they’ve done?
Have you ever thought of REVENGE? If so, from this moment on, try to let go. Offer real, true and sincere forgiveness. Bring them into your personal point of view and empty out all of the unspoken words you may be keeping inside, if it means crying to express yourself, do it.
You are not excusing their actions; instead, you are lifting the burden from your own heart.
Emmahspeaks 🌻 