Revisiting Forgiveness

During a recent incident with my spouse, I needed to admit to myself that I still carry the pain and hurt from those who harmed me. I reacted in a way that was out of character for the person I have worked so hard to become. It even surprised me, but when I dug deeper, I admitted to myself that I have not let go of the hurt and pain from those who harmed me.

Forgiveness means to let go of the hurt and pain by those who harmed us, but we need not forget their deeds or trust them again. We also need not allow these individuals back into our lives to cause more harm. In order to forgive, we must let go of justifiable anger and rage against those who harmed us. I must admit that justifiable anger feels pretty good, and even powerful on some emotional level. However, justifiable anger keeps us in victimhood.

Because we are victims, we are repeatedly harmed or injured, and there lies the problem. When we are injured or harmed, we need to ask ourselves, what is my contribution to this problem? How can I change in order to avoid people who harm and injure me? What is within me that attracts these individuals who harm me? Once we change our perspective on our circumstance, we begin to gain power over our lives.

I am in this emotional and spiritual place. As Jesus Christ once said on the cross when being put to his death, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” This is meant to forgive those who put him to death, but also forgiveness for all humanity. We don’t need to seek vengeance against those who harm us as the Universal Law of Karma or the Great Law of Cause and Effect will take its actions in its time. Trust in the Universal Energy.

This letting go process frees us to move our energy on a more positive spiritual path and allows more love, compassion, and kindness into the universe. I think this is what is meant by “Let go, and let God.” May you find forgiveness of those who harmed you. (Copyright 2021 Discovery in Awakening with all rights reserved)