"Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us."
Most of us have been taught that forgiveness is an important aspect of living a spiritual life. I wholeheartedly agree, but I want to offer a thought. Have you ever considered that forgiveness does at least as much for you as it does for the other person?
When we hold a grudge, we carry the weight of that negativity with us. We hold onto it, even knowing that it's making our life miserable. So why not let it go?
"But they..."
OK. Let's say they did. How does staying angry at that person going to help you? How is it going to hurt them? Chances are, the offending party isn't bothered; they may not even be aware that they did something wrong, or that you're angry. In other words, their life has not been affected by the issue - while yours has.
Another point to consider is that we all have our faults. None of us is perfect, although we may be trying very hard to be good people. When we are angry at another for some perceived slight, I think it helps to remember that we have committed our own slights, our own "sins" if you will. Of course, we would want others to forgive our shortcomings, so why is it so hard for us to do the forgiving?
Perhaps it's because of the hurt we suffered. Perhaps because it's often hard to step back and realize that the other person is also doing the best the know how to do in the circumstances.
When we recognize that we are all children of Spirit, and that we are all here to learn and grow, it often makes it harder to see the offender in a different, more gentle light.
Remember, too, that forgiving another isn't the same as saying it's OK to act poorly. You can forgive someone their fault even knowing that it shouldn't have occurred. Forgiving someone is simply saying that you recognize that the other person is doing their best, and that you aren't going to hold onto negative thoughts that you don't need and that hurt yor life.
Is it easy? Not always. But the effort will be repaid many times over. Forgiveness is an excellent step toward living a life with Spirit!
In peace,
Lane
Most of us have been taught that forgiveness is an important aspect of living a spiritual life. I wholeheartedly agree, but I want to offer a thought. Have you ever considered that forgiveness does at least as much for you as it does for the other person?
When we hold a grudge, we carry the weight of that negativity with us. We hold onto it, even knowing that it's making our life miserable. So why not let it go?
"But they..."
OK. Let's say they did. How does staying angry at that person going to help you? How is it going to hurt them? Chances are, the offending party isn't bothered; they may not even be aware that they did something wrong, or that you're angry. In other words, their life has not been affected by the issue - while yours has.
Another point to consider is that we all have our faults. None of us is perfect, although we may be trying very hard to be good people. When we are angry at another for some perceived slight, I think it helps to remember that we have committed our own slights, our own "sins" if you will. Of course, we would want others to forgive our shortcomings, so why is it so hard for us to do the forgiving?
Perhaps it's because of the hurt we suffered. Perhaps because it's often hard to step back and realize that the other person is also doing the best the know how to do in the circumstances.
When we recognize that we are all children of Spirit, and that we are all here to learn and grow, it often makes it harder to see the offender in a different, more gentle light.
Remember, too, that forgiving another isn't the same as saying it's OK to act poorly. You can forgive someone their fault even knowing that it shouldn't have occurred. Forgiving someone is simply saying that you recognize that the other person is doing their best, and that you aren't going to hold onto negative thoughts that you don't need and that hurt yor life.
Is it easy? Not always. But the effort will be repaid many times over. Forgiveness is an excellent step toward living a life with Spirit!
In peace,
Lane
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