Forgiveness- The Path To Healing & Spiritual Growth

The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as to for-give an enemy;to cease to feel resentment for,as to forgive an offense].

I have heard people say this many times: "I will never forgive them for what they did!", as if by saying this they are causing harm to the person who hurt them. The reality is that they are doing the harm to themselves alone. As defined in the dictionary, when you forgive someone you "cease to feel resentment". Resentment, along with anger, hate, jealousy and other negative emotions, will eat you up inside and can cause actual physical ailments and disease.

Often times after we have been emotionally,physically or spiritually hurt, the pain quickly turns to anger and resentment. We go over the episodes of the past in our heads, re-living each painful moment again and again like a never-ending nightmare. Each time we do this the old feelings surface and we once again feel the gut-wrenching pain the person caused us. By doing this we are living in the past instead of the present, and it can be a dangerous thing for everyone involved but the majority of danger falls right into your lap.

Many people feel that forgiveness is a gift. I agree! It is a gift, but not to the one you are forgiving. The gift is to yourself and what a wonderous gift it can be. By forgiving the people who have hurt you in the past you set yourself free from the chains of resentment and other harmful emotions running rampant through your mind, body and spirit. By forgiving you are taking away the control the other person has over you....You are empowering yourself and growing by spiritual leaps and bounds. You will heal deep-rooted pain that perhaps you thought was gone a long time ago but has survived, living under all of the resentment that you have held onto for so long. By forgiving you are one step closer to your journey of self-growth and healing.

Some of you are on a journey of helping Creator to give healing to others who need it. The first step on your journey is to heal yourself. This can be very difficult as well as painful but the upside to the difficulties and pain is the end result, which is very rewarding indeed. It will be rewarding for both you as a healer and for those who you will help to heal.

I have heard of horrific and tragic stories relating to the suffering that people on this earth have gone through and like many of you, I have often asked how Creator could place anyone in such situations. The truth of the matter is... Many people who have lived such suffering and painful lives, or have survived horrific events... go on to become wonderful healers on this earth, doing Creator's work. They start foundations,organizations,become therapists,doctors,authors of self-help and spiritual books,host talk shows... the list goes on... So perhaps this was Creator's plan all along and we should be thankful for many of the sufferings that have taken place and that we have to endure. Without them many people would not be who they are today- stronger, healthier, more forgiving, more helpful to others,more loving...

I once held on to a great amount of anger towards someone who had caused me pain for many years. One day a spiritual healer asked me to surround this person in light and send him love. I looked at the spiritual healer as if she were crazy! How DARE she ask me to do such a thing! How did she even think I would be capable of forgiving someone who had hurt me so bad?! I tried to remain open to what she was telling me, but honestly did not believe I could go through with it. Then she said something to me that grabbed my attention- "By forgiving him and sending him loving thoughts, you will free yourself and he will no longer have such a great hold on you". As I drove home after speaking with her, I thought of this sentence many times and just the idea of the freedom from the pain sounded so joyous and peaceful, yet far away at the same time.

About a week later I quietly sat down and asked Creator to help me do what needed to be done. I asked Creator to surround this man in his light, and then sent loving thoughts to him along with my forgiveness. Most importantly, I forgave myself for the choices I had made during those years, and took responsibility for them as well. The pain that I had been holding for so long in my heart slowly poured out as I wept tears of sadness and joy at the same time. That day I freed myself from the chains of resentment and anger... from the pain I had endured for so many years... and from the control of a man who would no longer control anything about me, or within me... I had healed myself with help from Creator, and from the spiritual healer who with one sentence... changed me, and healed me... I am thankful to her and to my experience, for it has made me who I am today.

The next time you think of the act of forgiveness, try not to only see the other person(s) as the only recipient... for you are the most important recipient involved... and you are well worth it.

Lisa Hoskins is a jewelry designer who owns Animal Spirit Jewelry. She has studied animals her whole life and is now blessed from Spirit to be able to create jewelry based upon the spiritual principles revolving around animal totems and guides, and spiritual principles.

You can find her website at http://www.animalspiritjewelry.com

*You may re-print this article as long as it remains as shown here with full bio and links attached.*

---

The Key to a Clear Conscience

I have discovered as I grow older in Christ Jesus... Read More

Path to Healing

It is within us to... Read More

The Search for Gods Intention

I believe in the source we refer to as 'God'.... Read More

Reasons to Fast and Pray

Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the... Read More

I Am Not An Island or What Does God Have to Do With Animals?

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the... Read More

Drifting Like a Summer Breeze

He knew it was going to happen. He wasn't really... Read More

Lectio Divina -- Reading the Bible for Spiritual Growth

Lectio divina is a very useful and practical discipline for... Read More

Just Learning To Cope

I have been thinking about this all night. I am... Read More

The Simple Plan of Asking and Receiving

The Question Really picture this in your mind.... Someone tells... Read More

The Role of the Spiritual Warrior

What power do we hold individually in the midst of... Read More

Mankinds Ten Worst Enemies: #2 Arrogance

According to H. G. Bosch, the newspaper cartoonist H. T.... Read More

A People in Exile (Part 1)

Second Isaiah, so called because his book of prophecy was... Read More

New Century; Same Old Story

In His graciousness, God has blessed us to enter a... Read More

Gods To Do List - Get Specific!

I know eyebrows are probably raising about now, but let... Read More

The Power of God?s Word in Your Prayer Life

Prayer. It's the foundation of a Christian mom's life. Why?... Read More

Where Do You Cast?

"Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for... Read More

Accepting Non-Acceptance

It's not always easy to stand in the midst of... Read More

Wisdom Quotes Point - Arguments Just Explain

"What does it profit a man to have gained the... Read More

Memories Didnt Happen

Have you ever experienced a traumatic event? I'm sure the... Read More

What Does Unconditional Love Really Mean?

Unconditional love means unconditional freedom. Love and freedom are two... Read More

Forgiveness- The Path To Healing & Spiritual Growth

The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as... Read More

Ten Suggestions For The Overscheduled Child

Ever wonder what happened to the family dinner hour? Or... Read More

10 Commandments

I thought I would draw this article up as a... Read More

From Spiritual Cry Baby to Bold Seeker of Truth

Ever notice how people dread discussing... Read More

Universal Law Primer

Universal Law is an invisible influence in every individual's life,... Read More

Can Moms Have a Quiet Time, Too?

Spending 'Quiet Time' with the LordFrom the beginning of my... Read More

Watch Your Language!

I have a big mouth. If you have read my... Read More

Building The Body of Christ

As a walked across the gym floor with perspiration coming... Read More

Angel Messages for Humanity ?- Message 1

In the interest of mankind the Angels are delivering messages... Read More

By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

Military personnel at a U.S. prison in Guantanamo, Bay, Cuba... Read More

Unfinished Woman

I'm at that place in life many refer to as... Read More

Love, Honor, and Obey

Let's take a look at all these aspects. The bible... Read More

Anam Cara - Watching The River Flow

I love rivers. I have for many years lived away... Read More