Like eating glass is the refusal to forgive

[Mark Dohle]

Like eating glass is the refusal to forgive​

I was talking to a guest a few months ago and she asked me what I thought caused the most suffering for people. Not sure the term ‘what causes the most suffering’ can be answered since we are all different in how we respond to life experiences.

I do know that what causes a great deal of inner pain is the refusal or the inability to forgive and let go. For me it is like eating glass, which causes spiritual hemorrhaging as well as affecting the body.

The saying “that time heals all wounds” can be true if a desire to forgive is present. In seed form at first, it is enough, though it takes time for that desire to bear fruit. Emotional wounds like any other kind of wound takes time to heal. To refuse to even desire to forgive only increases bitterness and suffering, while the one who did the harm may not even be aware of the situation at all.

When we pray, we are in the presence of Infinite Love, if we continue to pray and deepen our connection with God this will transform us over time. For the desire to forgive opens up the floodgates of grace.--Br.MD

 

[dianaiad]

All your references to God are good, and true....I'd like to address this from a more materialistic angle.

To refuse to forgive is to allow the transgressor to continue to hurt you. It occupies your thoughts, your memory, and your emotions. Forgiveness can bless you and the person who asks for it, if it is asked for, and restore trust and relationships. But...what if forgiveness is never asked for? Should you forgive anyway?

Yes. You should. You should because not doing so messes up YOUR life.

Of course, my grandmother used to tell me that forgiving some people is like forgiving a steamroller. It's never going to ask your pardon, or change its nature. If you stand in front of it again, it's going to flatten you. Again. So the thing to do is acknowledge that it's not going to change, and will never ask your pardon, so forgive it and get on with your life, having learned an important lesson: never stand in front of an oncoming steam roller.

Oh, and don't eat ground glass, either. It's bad for the digestion.

 

[Ellen Brown]

Jesus is point blank and blunt about this. It is something I struggle with every single day and worry that I'm not doing good enough.

 

[Father Heathen]

To paraphrase an old adage, "harboring hatred is like drinking poison and hoping it kills the other person."