Articles
Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness
What if I have to interact with the person who hurt me but I don't want to?
How do I reach a state of forgiveness?
Content
What is forgiveness?
What are the benefits of forgiving someone?
Why is it so easy to hold a grudge?
What are the effects of holding a grudge?
How do I move toward a state of forgiveness?
What happens if I can't forgive someone?
Does forgiveness guarantee reconciliation?
What if the person I'm forgiving doesn't change?
What if I'm the one who needs forgiveness?
How do I reach a state of forgiveness?
Content
What is forgiveness?
What are the benefits of forgiving someone?
Why is it so easy to hold a grudge?
What are the effects of holding a grudge?
How do I move toward a state of forgiveness?
What happens if I can't forgive someone?
Does forgiveness guarantee reconciliation?
What if the person I'm forgiving doesn't change?
What if I'm the one who needs forgiveness?
How do I move toward a state of forgiveness?
Forgiveness is a commitment to change. It takes practice. To move toward forgiveness, you might:
- Recognize the value of forgiveness and how it can improve your life.
- Identify what needs healing and who you want to forgive.
- Join a support group or see a counselor.
- Acknowledge your emotions about the harm done to you, recognize how those emotions affect your behavior, and work to release them.
- Choose to forgive the person who's offended you.
- Release the control and power that the offending person and situation have had in your life.