FORGIVENESS - What does it LOOK like to you?

FORGIVENESS means different things to different people. But in general, it involves an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger. The act that hurt or offended you might always be with you. But working on forgiveness can lessen that act's grip on you.

Forgiveness does not mean you erase the past, or forget what has happened. It doesn’t even mean the other person will change his/her behavior . All it means is that you are letting go of the anger and pain, and moving on to a better place. It is letting go of the emotions from your past. It does not negate, condone, or otherwise nullify accountability. It does not change the fact that we do need to protect ourselves from people who make a habit of hurting us. What it does is free YOU emotionally.

Unfortunately, forgiveness doesn't equal immediate pain relief, especially when dealing with a deep wound. Forgiving someone and still being hurt is much more complex than a simple formula. Forgiving them does not equate with trusting them or being in relationship with them again. Realize you have a choice. You cannot control the actions of others, and shouldn’t try. But you can control not only your actions, but your thoughts. You can stop reliving the hurt, and can choose to move on. You have this power.