Saturday, August 15, 2009

The Power of Forgiveness


Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

I read something the other day and it said, “If God didn’t forgive, heaven would be empty.”

It made me think about the power of forgiveness. I believe if we cannot completely forgive we cannot have a full life. We cannot move on until we have forgiven. Forgiveness heals and allows us to grow. It removes our mental and physical pain.

Forgiveness is freedom. Unforgiveness is destruction.

All of us have had the misfortune of being hurt, but if we remain resentful and don’t forgive, it will become a burden on our hearts and bodies. With each passing day it gets heavier until it is carried into our physical bodies. For some, the result is health problems.

I carried with me a hurt for a very long time. It eventually became a burden. Call it stubbornness, call it the ego but in my mind if I offered up forgiveness then somehow I was saying that it was O.K. that you hurt me. We don’t forgive others for their benefit, we forgive others for our own well being. Each time we forgive, a burden is lifted and the heart is opened.

One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody everything every night before you go to bed. - Bernard Baruch

Love Sue

14 comments:

  1. Dear Susan ~~ A lovely post about forgiveness.
    It does us more harm to hold on to a grudge
    than it does to the one we don't forgive. So we
    must try to do the right thing and feel better for it.
    Thanks for your comments and I am glad both you and your husband enjoyed the jokes. Hopefully
    my Laptop will get fixed tomorrow when the
    technician comes. Take care, Love, Merle.

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  2. What a powerful post! I actually have something going on right now in that exact area! YIKES! Gosh I love blogland!

    Your blog title makes me laugh every single time I see it....have I told you that before? It's simply the best!

    Big hugs,
    Spencer

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  3. Hi Sue, this is so good and so very, very true. Thank you for such a lovely thought on this beautiful Sunday.

    Hugs, Barb

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  4. Sue,

    This is NOT too heavy a subject matter, Sue. It is very important. I learned that lesson 15 years ago when I was widowed suddenly. I learned that even if we DON'T understand why or what,,,,
    A,,,things happen for a reason even if we don't understand God's plan.
    B....there is a lesson to be learned from our losses,adversities and trials, if only we open our eyes, heart and our mind to these things
    C...Don't sweat the small stuff and it IS all small stuff!
    D...never fail to continually let those that touch your life in ANY way,,,know what they mean to you.
    E..Every person, animal, experience you undergo makes you stronger and gives you a greater understanding of what is important.
    F....Pass along your knowledge and growth through aknowledgement, understanding, acceptance and Faith in knowing this too shall make you stronger and pass,,,,,,,
    G.....and last if not lest, remember that God Does have a sense of humor! Look at some of the animals HE's created! Look at some of the relationships HE has formed....

    Shell

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  5. I've just discovered your blog and immediately decided to become a follower. What a wonderful presence you are! I once read that "Unforgiveness is the poison we drink hoping someone else will die." So very true.

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  6. The greatest thing about forgiving is it lifts pain & sadness from oneself. The sad part are those that are unable to forgive or accept circumstances that occur & move along with life. I love your writing today ... it is beautiful & to the point. TTFN ~ Marydon

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  7. We said those 'maters would be good target practice for a kid, too when we were coming up the road. Too funny! TTFN ~Marydon

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  8. Hi Susan,
    It's so nice to meet you! I really appreciate your kind visit to my blog. You're always welcome!

    What a beautifully written post here and blog that you have. I'll be back to visit often.

    ~Blessings, ~Melissa ;)

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  9. That was a great post!!
    Thanks for your imput with the chandelier...
    Deb :)

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  10. This is truly a fabulous post. My family and I have learned a huge lesson this year about forgiveness and the power we ALL hold within our hands.

    Timely and wonderful. Thought provoking.

    Than you, Sue!

    xoRebecca

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  11. Personally, I believe forgiveness, is a gift we give ourselves. You can't go forward if you can let go of the past. My mum taught me this so well as a child and I am grateful today for the ability to do so.

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  12. Tammy, you are so right. I had been dwelling on some issues and I knew better. As a person that is also interested in yoga and its teachings forgiveness is a big part of the connection. We must also forgive ourselves too.

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  13. Sue,
    You don't know how much your post has meant to me. I am going through something with an old friend and I have felt the heaviness you speak of daily. I know I just need to let it go and forgive, so that I can heal. Thank you so much for your special post!

    If you get a chance stop by and say hi! I just put up a NEW POST!
    Have a great night,
    Aimee

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  14. Sue:

    Thank you for this lovely post. I too am working on forgiving a group of women that hurt me so deeply. I know I have to let go and thank the Lord I finally want to.

    The Raggedy Girl

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