I personally find forgiveness has greater power to heal and has better results.
2006-10-31 17:21:34 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Definitely forgiveness....which is why Christ commanded us to forgive. Consider the following testimony...
Deborah Niyakabirika's story is chronicled in a World Vision Australia video. Her son was murdered, in an isolated act of ethnic vengeance, three years after the genocide in Rwanda.
Months after the killing, a young man visited Deborah. "I killed your son," he said. "Take me to the authorities and let them deal with me as they will. I have not slept since I shot him. Every time I lie down I see you praying, and I know you are praying for me."
Deborah answered, "You are no longer an animal but a man taking responsibility for your actions. I do not want to add death to death."
Then Deborah did the extraordinary. "But I want you to restore justice by replacing the son you killed," she continued. "I am asking you to become my son. When you visit me, I will care for you."
Today, that young man is an adopted member of her household.
Now THAT is the love of Christ!
2006-10-31 17:31:32 · answer #1 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know that sometimes it feels so good to tell someone off, or to get revenge, because it makes us feel like we taught them a lesson or equalled the scales.
But the problem with that philosophy is that the other side then feels they have to equal the "anty" and retaliate.
This strategy never ends.
But if we show forgiveness, don't we have a better chance or stopping the cycle.
For this reason, I'm convinced that healing always will come with forgiveness, but very seldom from revenge.
2006-11-01 01:38:45 · answer #2 · answered by Searcher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no doubt that if you can truly forgive, it has far greater healing power than revenge. Sometimes, it is close to impossible, if not impossible, to have that kind of forgiveness. But yes, forgiveness is the way to heal and move on, it may be the only way to let the pain go.
2006-11-01 01:29:30 · answer #3 · answered by MBH 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness... but it has to be true and real, or it is just a band-aid manouver (basically covering up a lot of harm while looking neat and tidy).
I believe that revenge simply lowers us to the level of the rodent that hurt us to begin with. In order to make revenge effective, a person must plot and plan for what will hurt another person the most. That is really ugly. Even if that person is a rodent. And not worthy of our trust. (and no, I have nothing against actual rodents).
Sometimes what is valuable is not in the forgiveness or the revenge... in other words, in the final result of the action. Sometimes the value is in recognizing the bad places we allow ourselves to be drawn into.
2006-11-01 01:33:32 · answer #4 · answered by Mikisew 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness
2006-11-01 01:28:23 · answer #5 · answered by buttercup 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would tend to agree with you there! When people do not forgive they tend to hang on to the anger toward the person they did not forgive so holding on to the negative feelings which erode instead of heal but those that forgive seem to fare better than the unforgiving it becomes a vicious circle never settled but that's just how I see it, it is better to forgive for all concerned.
2006-11-01 01:31:34 · answer #6 · answered by I speak Truth 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the best revenge is to do good. If you have been harmed and others have tried to destroy you, live well and do good.
I have been almost killed. It was the intent of other people that I should die. I have not. I have a beautiful husband, a comfortable home, and loving friends. I have enough that I can freely give of it and push back at the dark. My vengeance is every smile I see, double if I put it there. My vengeance is loving and being loved. I win. They lose.
Shining a light brightens the world but destruction only deepens the darkness.
2006-11-01 01:41:02 · answer #7 · answered by catalamity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think either of them has anything to do with healing.
Assume that a big guy kicks the s**t out of you. If you forgive him, it doesn't heal you and if you get revenge, it doesn't help you anyway, the medical assistance does that
2006-11-01 01:26:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness only helps if even after forgiving the scent of revenge still does not lingers in your soul..
2006-11-01 02:40:21 · answer #9 · answered by Mantra 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely..Forgiveness!
2006-11-01 01:26:06 · answer #10 · answered by maranatha132 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems like an opinion thing to me, since I'd much rather get revenge than forgive someone.
2006-11-01 01:25:34 · answer #11 · answered by ....... 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋