After my divorce, I needed a way to release all the past hurts, feelings of rejection, and resentment. I found freedom through forgiveness. Forgiving both myself and my ex-husband for our shortcomings and failures. Choosing forgiveness and releasing the resentment I so tightly wanted to hold on to, liberated me.
Sometimes forgiveness is easier than at other times. In some situations, such as divorce, forgiveness may take months or years, but the process can bring both emotional and physical healing. The power to let go is found within. All of us have the authority to halt negative thoughts from tormenting our minds.
Letting go is easier than carrying an offense and keeping a record of wrongs. Holding a grudge is binding and disabling. Forgiveness allows us to build meaningful relationships with people because we choose to try and understand them rather than write them off for a wrong they did. It liberates our minds to focus on the positive qualities of others instead of constantly pulling up memories of past hurts.
Today, choose to forgive others as a gift to yourself. Through forgiveness you can free yourself from the detrimental effects of carrying a grudge.
Self-reflection questions:
- How do I feel when I hold a grudge?
- Why should I forgive?
- What do I feel when I let go of a hurt or resentment?