About forgiveness?

Question

does true forgiveness involve forgetting also, and restoration of trust ... or is that not a requirement ?

Answer 1

I really think you can forgive someone,
but that sure doesn't mean you will ever forget what they did...I have this same problem with someone...and it has gone on way to long...God tells us to forgive
but he never said anything about forgetting...
its still hard for me to trust people, somehow though I think that might be good..
I don't know how you can trust people again, I haven't figured that out yet...But for some unknown reason, I can trust people on here more than in my personal life.
and I can't explain that at all.
Ask God for help with this sweetie, he will
help you out...that I am very sure of.

Answer 2

I think true forgiveness does involve a restoration of trust built up slowly. However, I don't think you can ever just forget something that happened to you you will always have your memories of things that have happened in your life. We are able to put the past behind us and really forgive but, it doesn't change ever the fact that things have at one time happened to effect our life. Sometimes the best way to forgive others is to forgive yourself first. I hope that helps!

Answer 3

I don't think you should forget, that would be like trying to me more ignorant or something. The restoration of trust would have to be conditional and depend on the act that needed to be forgiven.

You can forgive a person who has hurt you through lying for example, but don't take what they say as completely true next time.

Forgiveness is about understanding that any wrong done is not about you, it is about the wrong done by someone else.

It is about showing that you are a better person because you don't stoop to the negative reactions of hatred, vengeance anger etc. when wrong is done to you.

Answer 4

My personal opinion: Forgiving is only the first step. Depending on the severity of the situation, you may never forget the situation or trust that person again. It is very hard to forget things when you are truly hurt, especially by someone who you are very close to.

Are you a bad person because you can't just forget it? NO!! You're only human and well "hurt hurts" The best thing to do is to truly forgive them for what he/she has done and try to move on. Speaking from experience, it takes a really long time to learn to trust someone again. But it is possible!!

Answer 5

I have learned to forgive even though I will never forget the deed done to me or my family. I have told a few that I will never trust them or forget what they did but I can in my heart forgive them. If you don't learn this and do it you will be letting them still hurt you. It will eat you alive. So for your sake forgive them and move on with counseling if needed. I did and they do not control me any longer. The feeling of a weight being lifted off your shoulders is a true miracle I have felt. Bless you

Answer 6

I believe it does involve forgetting but that restoration of trust is not a requirement. A person can willfully forgive someone and try to forget but still may not trust that person any longer. For example, if your babysitter did something bad to your child, you MAY be able to forgive her but I doubt you would let her watch your children again.

Answer 7

I would never forget an ill turn. That might be very unwise. When a person has afflicted you,you should never forget it. They have a demonstrated willingness to hurt you. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. It means you no longer view the offence as current,and you recognize atonement in some form. Restoration of trust is relative to the time from the offence. Given enough time passed without further problems I will resume trust.

Answer 8

No I don't think so... There are some things you can't forget, forgiveness is letting go of the bad feelings, but there are some people I would not trust ever... because Trust and Forgiveness are not the same... Forgiveness, Is saying I am letting God deal here it is not my place, I am releasing myself and the person from my hurt feelings...

If somebody has done something really bad like beaten you ... you won't forget and you won't trust them, but you can release them from the toxicness of bitterness and resentment you could otherwise feel....

Answer 9

No. Forgetting and restoration of trust are separate from forgiving. Some who have answered this question before me have expressed this very well.
Forgiveness does not also mean not seeking financial restitution from someone who has done you wrong. If someone has caused willful destruction to your property, for example, you can forgive that person but still take them to court to get compensated for what they destroyed. Forgiveness is not a free pass, and you cannot expect to wait for the one who has done wrong to come to you to offer to make up for your losses. That wouldn't be spiritually beneficial to them or to you.

Answer 10

Forgiving its an ideal step to take, for one's heart to heal, but forgetting is is like setting a trap for yourself hence there are other instances cannot be forgotten. you can trust a person again since people deserve so the saying goes, which is morally justifiable, but its not a 'must' a person again, anyway think of if you have wronged someone and you want that person to forgive you desperately and also need their trust back.

Answer 11

GREAT QUESTION... true forgiveness does not involve forgetting or immediate restoration of trust. forgiveness is releasing a person from any ill will or fantasies you have of retribution and leaving it to God....

forgetting is not possible... especially if a person murdered your loved one....
restoration of trust is also not a prerequisite because you will forgive the addict for stealing your money after you've invited them home but you will not let them stay at your home because you must protect yourself and family. they're forgiven but you neither forget nor fail to take appropriate measures to safeguard yourself, your loved ones and your valuables.

trust must then be built up through consistent, constant effort... they say they'll do something, then they must fulfill their promise, if not then they must be held accountable

hope this helps