| |
| |
|
Spirituality Information |
|
|
|
How to Forgive Someone
We've all heard the saying, "You have to forgive, but you don't have to forget." I won't refute that, but you have to agree that a lot of people use that excuse to never 'really' forgive at all. Are you one of those people? Let's rephrase it a little. "You have to forgive?and you have to forget the anger, the pain, the anxiety, and everything else that comes with someone sinning against you. But you don't have to make yourself a target (even though Jesus did)." Sound a little more difficult? This is really the Christian way of life, and it's going to be difficult. No one promised you would enjoy it. So we'll start with the forgiveness. This is where you have the most control, because it's an act of will. You have to decide to forgive, and then do it. Here's a short list of what this involves: ?No more daydreaming about your perpetrator's pain and suffering. ?Stop thinking about the 'what if' outcomes, and accept what happened. ?Start praying for the person. Not for their punishment, not for them to see the light?pray for their good and their soul. Say a simple Hail Mary, without meditating on the one you're praying for. Meditate on the words, and dedicate it to your perpetrator. Let God decide how to reward or punish them. ?If you can do something nice for the person, do it without grumbling and without reminding them of what they did wrong. ?Stop gossiping about them. ?Every time you find yourself thinking about it, change the subject. Think about the starving kids in China, your financial problems, Baby Jesus?anything. Now that (believe it or not) is the easy part. Now it comes time to deal with the anger and pain. Sometimes it's easy. But in cases of serious violation, or when someone hurts a loved one, the very idea sounds idiotic. And no, you'll never completely let go, but you can completely try. And you can start by using some of the techniques listed above. You'll probably have to take it further. You'll have to swallow those emotions. Bury them deep. Yes, I'm going against what every therapist out there is preaching, but talking and sulking is no way to get over anything. You've had your period of pity; it's time to move on. When you feel the flame of anger building inside you, force it to the back of your mind, and let it die. Don't waste another second of your life stewing. It'll take practice, but every day is another chance. Finally, there's that last part. This is where most of us have trouble. This is also where we have to weigh our duties, and choose what's most important. Here are a few questions to help you sort it out: ?Does it involve someone under your protection? I'm talking mainly to parents. Our children obviously come first, and we're never obligated to put them in danger. ?Does it involve a sexual violation? I don't have to go into this. If someone isn't treating your body like a Temple of Christ, then stay away from them. ?Does it involve injury? The big question here is 'How much'? A school boy shouldn't offer himself out to the wedgie bully, but a pop in the arm is usually more a matter of humiliation than personal injury. If your body is being harmed by someone, you have a right to stop them?but again, Christ didn't. Also, consider how likely the person is to harm you again. If it was a one-time event, you should let go. On a side note: Repeated domestic violence has several victims, especially children. And track records show that very few offenders 'only strike once.' If you're trying to figure out whether or not to leave such a situation, stoop thinking and get out. ?Does it involve personal property? Who's property? If you're raising a family, you can't risk everything and ignore their needs. But ask yourself if the amount stolen or damaged property is worth the hassle of never trusting someone again. ?Does it involve your good name? Hunker down and forget about it. The truth will set you free. Lies hurt the liar more than anyone else. If it's the truth, then just be more careful of what you say?but don't withhold something begrudgingly. Written by the copywriters at http://copyforsale.com, where you can find free content for your Christian newsletters and websites.
MORE RESOURCES:
Spirituality - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Self-Realization How It Can be Achieved Within Ones Life Time Before we dwell on the subject of Self Realization we need to understand the real meaning of gaining self realization.Nowadays so many self realization centres all over the world like self realization fellowship in Seattle, self-realization Boston, Atlanta self-realization and Mt. Be Thankful Some people think just by saying the words thank you is just. Well lets look in at 1Chronicles 16:8 it says Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Universal Thought Systems The Mind in an Advanced Thought System:The center of our Thought System, today, is believed to reside in our brain. The brain is thought to be synonymous with our mind. What Does Unconditional Love Really Mean? Unconditional love means unconditional freedom. Love and freedom are two of those words that are interchangeable. Learning the Secret of Contentment (Part 2) Paul's encouragement to the Philippians is also our encouragement. Consider his afflictions and trials: - I was beaten 5 times by the Jews with a whip- 3 times I was beaten with rods- Once I was stoned- 3 times I was shipwrecked- On many of my missionary journeys, I was in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, dangers from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from backstabbers. Terrorists Again - 14 Prayers to Protect Your Family In the last 2 weeks or so, I have been posting some prayers to deal with specific issues that my readers have mentioned to me.You find prayers to help you attract whatever it is you want more of in your life. How To Solve Any Problem Contrary to popular beliefs, we are not our mind, our body, and our egos.Also, we are not the circumstances of our lives, nor a creation of the world of matter. Connect With the Moon Phases to Manifest Your Desires Connecting with the Moon phases, the Full and New Moon phases in particular, is something anyone can do very easily. It is all about energy (isn't everything?) and directing the energies in a positive way. Spiritual Marketing Let me say that marketing can be a corrupting experience. In the wrong hands, marketing can create more frustration, more dishonesty and more greed than any occupation. Forgiveness- The Path To Healing & Spiritual Growth The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as to for-give an enemy;to cease to feel resentment for,as to forgive an offense].I have heard people say this many times: "I will never forgive them for what they did!", as if by saying this they are causing harm to the person who hurt them. Heroes and Heroines - Contemplating Conscious Evolution The myths of man have been with us throughout time. Since the earliest of cave drawings to modern books and film, the myths of man have been the creators of man, providing both meaning and symbolism to his / her life. Counsel for Non Church Goers Not going to church has the advantage of having free time on Sunday morning and not having to bother with getting out of bed and traveling to the meeting place of worship service. In America you have the right to attend or not attend. Praying in Secret "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." --Matthew 6:6There was a time when I thought I could not turn to God. Why Isnt God Helping Me? Have you ever felt like throwing up your arms and saying "I quit! I just can't change! I thought when God came into my life things would get better, but they haven't." It doesn't matter if you're a new Christian or have been a Christian for a number of years, these feelings can creep in and set you up for confusion and frustration. The Cuddlies I finally went to the dentist today. I had been putting it off for a long time. Christian Ethics & Servant Leadership in Todays Workplace & Society Sundered Knight:Although the world, Denies the weak aid and justice, Scorns charity, Diminishes morality And Godly virtues daily.Holding no places for honor Nor honesty And exiling all Who hold these traits dear, Still, It is better to be a sundered knight Than no knight at allBy S. Are You Homeless? Does Your Soul Have a Home? How do you feel when you see homeless people on the street? Many of us feel disgusted when we look at them and others do not even acknowledge their existence as if they're worthless and irrelevant. Some of us even consider them as being nothing but drunks and junkies. The Universal Connection I believe in a phenomenon I have been known to call a 'Universal connection'. Yesterday one of these destined occurrences deeply affected the mood I was in and took me from feeling pretty low and depressed to feeling a joyous epiphany. Mankinds Ten Worst Enemies: #1 Pride We have a proclivity to think of individuals and nations as our adversaries when they present a threat to our personal or national well being. But, I submit, that our greatest adversary is Satan and he makes his assaults from within not without. Leaving Storyville One of the most difficult barriers to overcome on the path to spiritual growth is extracting yourself from the tenacious grip of the Ego Story. Unsuspectingly, many people are mesmerized and possessed by this mental illusion.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
