How far are you willing to forgive?

Question

My friend Richard was very badly abused by his stepfather both sexually and physically, but he forgave him!

I could (if I had time before I died) forgive the one who would have killed me could you show this amount of forgiveness, can you forgive instantly? I can and so can Richard!

Answer 1

The more we have done to us in life, the more we find our capacity to forgive. Jesus said to forgive seventy times seven. He did not mean to count out 140 times; he meant to always forgive.

The easiest way to practice forgiveness is to remember that by hating somebody, we are hurting ourselves more than we are hurting them. It is true.

I♥♫→mia☼☺†

Answer 2

Anything is one of a million paths. Therefore you must always keep in mind that a path is only a path; if you feel you should not follow it, you must not stay with it under any conditions. To have such clarity you must lead a disciplined life. Only then will you know that any path is only a path and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you to do. But your decision to keep on the path or to leave it must be free of fear or ambition. I warn you. Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary.

This question is one that only a very old man asks. Does this path have a heart? All paths are the same: they lead nowhere. They are paths going through the bush, or into the bush. In my own life I could say I have traversed long long paths, but I am not anywhere. Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart, the other doesn't. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong; the other weakens you.
Before you embark on any path ask the question: Does this path have a heart? If the answer is no, you will know it, and then you must choose another path. The trouble is nobody asks the question; and when a man finally realizes that he has taken a path without a heart, the path is ready to kill him. At that point very few men can stop to deliberate, and leave the path. A path without a heart is never enjoyable. You have to work hard even to take it. On the other hand, a path with heart is easy; it does not make you work at liking it.

I have told you that to choose a path you must be free from fear and ambition. The desire to learn is not ambition. It is our lot as men to want to know.
The path without a heart will turn against men and destroy them. It does not take much to die, and to seek death is to seek nothing.

For me there is only the traveling on the paths that have a heart, on any path that may have a heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge for me is to traverse its full length. And there I travel-looking, looking, breathlessly.

Answer 3

I am sorry for all the troubles of everybody and every animal on the planet. Forgiveness is good but remember it is only human that when hurt we become angry and want to retaliate. It takes some of us quite a while to cool down at times. Yes I think I can forgive most things (evntually), but beat my dog to death and I advise you to avoid me for at least a month!

Answer 4

I figure this, God loved the world so much he gave his son to die on a cross for our sins. That is forgiveness. A man asked Jesus how many times must he forgive his brother, and Jesus said not 7x7 but 70x70x70. Meaning forever.

Answer 5

one can forgive but not forget. is that true forgiveness? i had a person do me soooooo wrong and i have forgiven that person, but i cannot get the deeds out of my mind when in his presence. being able to move on and be friends after something horrible is something i am capable of, but i may never get over it. i guess my answer depends on how you define forgiveness. is it merely getting to a neutral ground or is it being completely at peace with the situation?

Answer 6

i believe in forgiveness but there has to be justice too. anyone inflicting those crimes would have to be brought to justice or else they will carry on doing it to other people. no one has the right to inflict pain on anyone, don't be so submissive be strong. seek out help. my guess is that the both of you need help. i'm not religious but if i was i would say a prayer for the both of you, perhaps someone else will.

Answer 7

The stepfather would have to ask. Even Jesus said you have to repent before He would forgive you.

Answer 8

Yes. You forgive instantly and completely because you are so grateful to still be alive and able to live your life freely once again. God Bless you, too! - Chris.

Answer 9

No, sorry but I cannot be that altruistic. I have made peace within myself about things that I can't change but I will never forgive the people that caused me hurt.

Answer 10

It is up to each individual. Most of the time it is so pointless to bear a grudge, however, if any one physically abused or caused injury to my loved ones they would have my wrath for eternity.