Forgiveness is a gift to yourself!
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Forgiveness is a gift yourself! People in general, love to hold onto grudges. They like to simmer in their stew. When someone has been hurt, a person tends to hold onto to the hurt or anger that resulted from that negative act. In your own family or friendships, you may have witnessed someone who has not actively forgiven another person.
The person who is holding the grudge may have a difficult time in forgiving a spouse, a friend, a boy or girlfriend, a coworker, or a family member. A spouse or boyfriend could have been cheating on you. A family member did not stick up for you, when it mattered the most! A coworker took credit for something you did at work. The list can go on and on. The question one needs to ask themselves, “Was I always on my best behavior; did I never cause hurt to someone?” If you can say yes to this, you are a very good person. Most people have caused some pain to others in their lives. It could be a hurtful statement you made to your spouse, friend or coworker. It could have been a act of selfishness or neglect to someone. We all have our faults as human beings!
Forgiveness helps a person lift off a heavy load that they have been dragging around with them. I am not saying that you have to forget the act, that the person did; but you have to let the hurt and anger go. Do not dwell on the past, rewrite your history, and you will be a much happier person!
Forgiveness does many great things for a person! To forgive results in less anxiety, hostility, and stress, it lowers blood pressure, allows for fewer symptoms of depression, and a person can have healthier relationships!
Relationships can be greatly affected, if you do not let grudges go! Forgiving can help a relationship to thrive and bring it joy. The act of forgiveness can help you get rid of that negativity you have been dragging and bringing to the relationships in your life! It makes you feel lighter, because you have let go of the burden that was dragging you down. Peace and being more positive is a result of forgiveness.
Mother Theresa had it right by the following quote:
“People are often unreasonable, self centered, and irrational. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some unfaithful friends, and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. When you spend years creating, other could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
In the above quote from Mother Theresa, there could be many reasons, not to forgive. Forgive anyway. In the end, it is between you and your maker, so forgiveness is a gift to yourself!