You will begin to heal when you let go of past hurts, forgive those who have wronged you and learn to forgive yourself for your mistakes.
First thing we are human and we are not perfect, and that is okay. I am not saying we should just accept our faults and not try to do better but we must also realize we are a work in progress and we will not ever reach perfection. As we have been taught by Jesus Christ in the prayer below we should be doing His will and we must ask forgiveness of others as well as ourselves.
Matthew 6:9-15
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Forgiveness is the most difficult thing to do BUT when you do forgive the benefits are wonderful. Why is it hard to forgive? Well sometimes we are also at fault and we find it hard to admit that even to ourselves. Maybe a person has hurt you and you really want to hurt them back. You may think; why should they get away without some kind of punishment. We will never feel better ourselves until we let the hurt go and forgive. By forgiving others and even yourself you will gain freedom from the negative feelings of anger, hatred, and vengeance.
When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of revenge, or embrace forgiveness and move forward. (The Mayo Clinic)
Nearly everyone has been hurt by the actions or words of another, or maybe you yourself have been the one to hurt another without realizing it. Maybe your sister has said something unkind or a co-worker has taken advantage of you, or someone in your intimate family has done something very hurtful. These negative things that cause emotional wounds all leave us with bad negative feelings, such as anger and bitterness BUT if you can forgive you will have much more positive feelings, such as peace, hope, gratitude and joy! Forgiveness can lead you to better physical, emotional and spiritual health. So let’s focus on what those benefits are.
What are the benefits of forgiving someone?
Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace. Forgiveness can lead to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Healthier family relationships
- Stronger friendships
- Less anxiety, stress
- Help to alleviate depression
- Remove the need for over drinking, drugs use
If you cannot forgive and forget you might risk your negative feelings taking over the rest of your life so that everything becomes negative. You will always be living in the past hating for all the wrong reasons and missing the wonderful present that you could have if you changed your attitudes and forgave those trespasses. You will lose all the positive things that happen every day around you and your family and friends may give up on you.
How do you reach a state of forgiveness?
- Consider the value of forgiveness
- Reflect on the facts of the situation, how you’ve reacted
- Make the choice to forgive the person who’s offended you
- Do not think of yourself as the victim but instead as the forgiver
Some famous people have said a lot about forgiveness:
Martin Luther King Jr. said: Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Mahatma Gandhi said: The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
Oscar Wilde said: Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much.
Lewis B. Smedes said: You will know that forgiveness had begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.
Alexander Pope said: To err is human to forgive, divine.
Gerald Jampolsky said: Forgiveness means letting go of the past.
Humble Pie: Veggie Shepherd’s Pie
serves 2-4
Sauté the following ingredients in a frying pan until tender:
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- ¼ cup diced onion
- ¼ cup celery thinly sliced
- 2 small cloves of garlic finely minced
- 1 can tomato paste
Season with sea salt and 1 tsp. of each: chilli powder, curry powder & turmeric
Add 1 package veggie ground-meat and stir until well mixed then put aside
(I do not suggest using soya meat products more than once a month but this makes a nice dinner for guests)
Cut 2 large potatoes into quarters and roast until they are tender then slice or mash and put aside.
When I am cooking my veggies I will buy the organic frozen ones for convenience. You will need:
- 1 cup of each: frozen baby peas and frozen corn
- 1 cup frozen peas
To assemble put a layer of the veggie-meat mixture into a glass casserole then layer with the corn & peas and top with a layer of the sliced (or mashed) roasted potatoes.
Cook for 30-45 minutes in a 375F oven. Serve hot with a large salad.
