Forgiveness – A Follow-Up to “The Cherry Tree” (PEAKS Post – June 16)
Is there someone you need to forgive? This can be one of the most difficult things you do in your life AND the best gift you give yourself.
When you forgive, you relieve the heavy burden of resentment that you’ve been carrying. The struggle you are having is real and it’s painful. Forgiving is not condoning what happened but allowing what they did to affect how you live your life now.
“Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different.” Dr. Gerald Jampolsky Interview
Accepting what did happen and moving on can be very transformative. As someone who has experienced childhood trauma, I know this is hard to do. I had to sit with the hurt and really feel it to be able to let it go and move on. Here’s what helped me heal:
Accept what has happened,
Forgive the other,
Forgive myself,
Accept the present.
Whatever happened helped to make you the person God loves and adores. When Jesus was nailed to the cross, he cried out to God, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Forgiveness is the Great Exchange on the cross. Every encounter with God is an opportunity to receive the cleansing power of God. We give God anything that brings death and He exchanges it and gives us life.
C.S. Lewis wrote, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” We forgive because we’ve been forgiven. Forgiving others is the most Christian act we can carry out. It is costly and painful, transformative and life giving!
Where do you need forgiveness in your own life?
What resentment are you holding onto that is holding you back?
I hope you will find the courage to let go of the hurt. “Forgiveness is a healing balm. It’s the way to freedom, the way to peace. It’s the way to build lasting bridges, too.” (Be The Bridge by Latasha Morrison)
What I know for sure is forgiveness is freedom!
Cindy Bartman