One of the things about forgiveness you have to remember is that it is not only spiritual. It is part of real politics. In forgiving, people are not being asked to forget. On the contrary, it is important to remember, so that we should not let such atrocities happen again. Forgiveness does not mean condoning what has been done. It means taking what happened seriously...drawing out the sting in the memory that threatens our entire existence.
Beautiful. These clarifications about forgiveness really help. It is one of THE most tricky topics. You can choose not to repeat actions that lead or led to a situation too. Sometimes it isn't something you can even see coming. In the situations I am currently working on with extended family, it really applies. Finally, you can relieve yourself of that horrible feeling and then begin anew and watch what you say and do. And be kind to yourself and realize you had a right to be upset, every right and that was normal and ok.
I struggle with this. I was taught that God forgives our sins and forgets them also; hence a fresh new start. If God forgives and forgets our sins, shouldn't we do the same? But if we forgive someone who harms, then we can be open to being harmed again.
Claire-
I believe that 'Spiritual Discernment' is the key of which you speak. While Forgiveness is a matter of the Heart and in the realm of the Will, this 'Gift of The Holy Spirit' is indispensable in the [WAY] in which we should 'dispense Forgiveness'. We have been given Memory not only that it may serve us in a practical way, but that, by being made in God's Image and Likeness, we may more closely come 'to Know God by knowing ourselves in God'--so as to gain 'True Wisdom of Heart'.
Exemplified by a simple but wise old proverb:
"fooled me once, shame on you,
fooled me twice, shame on me".
God Bless,
margaret rose
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