Forgiving another person who has wronged you or caused you to suffer can be seen as either a decision or a process. Forgiveness helps us move forward and have peace of mind. This decision can be made regardless of whether or not the offender deserves forgiveness.
However, some people only say they forgive someone who hurt them but does not mean it. In this article, you will know some steps on truly forgiving someone and their significance in living a happy life.
Importance of Forgiveness to Live a Happy Life
According to Berkeley Well-Being Institute, to put it in the simplest terms possible, forgiveness means getting rid of negative sentiments and ideas directed toward someone who has wronged you and substituting them with feelings and thoughts that are more pleasant. By choosing to forgive, we admit that we have been wronged and express our desire to continue our lives.
As per Butterfly Living.org, most people require more time before they can finally accept and decide to forgive. The most complex and confusing aspects of forgiving someone arise when the hurt or betrayal is severe.
They believe, in general, that the actual definition of forgiveness does not involve forgetting wrongdoing, nor does it entail justifying wrongdoing. Even while forgiving someone might help repair a relationship that has been destroyed, it does not require you to make amends with the person who has wronged you.
Also Read: Husband of Deceased Pastor Forgives Accused Hit-and-Run Driver Following Arrest
Genuine Forgiveness
Los Angeles Christian Counselling stated that if you have been seriously wounded by the acts or words of another person, walking through these phases of healing with the assistance of a Christian counselor can be of great benefit. Here are what you need to do to forgive others and find peace in your life.
Acknowledge the pain
Accepting that you are harmed is the first step toward working through the pain that you are experiencing. And being aware of this can make the feelings even more intense. The presence of tears, sentiments of resentment, and thoughts of pondering are all good indicators that something is seriously wrong. It is impossible to forgive others if you do not numb yourself or "stuff" down your emotions; doing so interrupts the process of forgiveness before it has even begun.
Remember God's forgiveness
It can be helpful for us to forgive others if we remember the debt that God forgave us in Christ, even though we most certainly were unworthy to be forgiven. Since we have been forgiven so much, how can we continue to hold resentment toward those who have wronged us? You can forgive someone even if your forgiveness is not acknowledged.
Reflect on our Biblical command
Several times, Jesus emphasized the significance of forgiveness of others, and he even incorporated this teaching into the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Pray that this would sink deep inside your spirit and that your choice to obey would drive your feelings to catch up with your decision.
Let go of the hurt
When we have decided to forgive someone, although the wound is still severe, the devil is a master at gaining a footing in our lives and using it to his advantage. You should not permit yourself to keep going over the offense in your head; instead, you should let go of the suffering and make the decision that you are going to choose to move on. Prayer becomes necessary here because we are prone to revert to retaining unforgiveness when on our own.
Continue to forgive
There is more to forgiving someone than simply praying and going on with your life. It is an important choice that you have to keep making over and over again. Although you may experience some discomfort and perhaps some pain during the process, rest assured that it will be well worth it.
Related Article: Is Forgiveness Doable Or Impossible?
