Is being forgiving a sign of weakness (read on, please) ?

Question

All my life, I have people saying this to me, because I always do my best to try to understand other people, and always end up forgiving who hurt me. This doesn't mean that all is well, and that I want who hurt me (or others) around me again, only that I really always try to understand.

How do you feel about this?

Thank you for the ideas!

Answer 1

if you know that the person is sincerely sorry for whatever it is then it not a weakness to forgive.

if the person is only saying they're sorry to ease their own guilt, and you know that they don't mean it then i would not be so quick to forgive.

i always try to see the other persons side of a situation. it can be difficult to understand why someone would want to cause someone else pain. i tend to over think things before i say anything. especially if i'm angry.

it is not weak to forgive...sometimes it takes all the strength that we have. it also takes a lot of strength to not allow someone to keep hurting you.

bright blessings to you

Answer 2

I don't know that it is necessary to understand the other person from where the hurt came.

"I do know that it is commanded that we forgive them.

Here's a rendering of Matthew 18: 21-22 as written in The Message and truth be told, I for sure can say I have not personally come up to Jesus' expectations when it comes to forgiveness.

Matt. 18:21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?"

22 Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven."

Also, It is not necessary that the person who hurt you need to ask for forgiveness for the requirement to still be on you to forgive.

Matthew 5: 23-24
"This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God."

And here is what Paul had to say about his weaknesses. He said in 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 that the Lord spoke to him these words:

"He told me,

'My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.'

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become." [The Message]

Answer 3

Quite the opposite. I believe forgiveness is a sign of strength. Forgiveness is for you not the other person. It is too consuming to hold on to all those negative feelings. Forgiveness does not mean you give the person a free pass. Never forget the true signs of a person's character. Too often we ignore the very things that end up hurting us in the long run.

One of my favorite quotes, "Forgiveness is giving up all hope for a better past."

Answer 4

Forgiving easily is a gift. It does not mean letting people use and abuse you. If someone continually takes advantage of your gift of forgiveness, they may fall into the category of what I have come to consider the human version of a "black hole in space." No matter how much you give, they are not able to be filled, or satisfied. Your kindness is wasted. Keep an attitude of openess to accept the person back into your life, but being a whipping girl for someone hurts you, and does them no favor. {{{N}}}

Answer 5

No, it's not a sign of weakness but of strenght. It's a mature thing to forgive and a very brave one too. If you forgive someone, you are releasing yourself from that person's influence over your life. Yes, it still hurts but somewhere, there's a peace that tells you, you have done the right thing.

Answer 6

forgiveness is a sign of strength, only when you are totally capable of getting even or revenge, revenge is like they say a dish that best served cold, so it feels good getting even, that's why it takes a lot of strength and character as sistablu said to forgive..

Answer 7

The Bible says, "God blessed are those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for theirs is the kingdom of God."
We may not be rich or poor in money, but we are poor when we realize that without God, we are nothing. By forgiving others you honor God by believing His Word, and you are forgiven as well, "If you forgive those who sin against you, you Heavenly Father will forgive you (Matthew 6:14). People may see you as weak, but God blesses you for believing and obeying Him.

Answer 8

I say just the opposite:
Being forgiving is a sign of strength. It takes more strength to forgive than it does not to forgive sometimes.

Answer 9

Strength. Forgiving someone who has hurt you is the most selfless act a person can do. It goes against every 'natural' urge that man has to protect himself and its the hardest thing we can ever do. Loving them.....despite themselves.

Your endeavoring to understand is a quality that actually draws you closer to God. He understands us best...and forgives us still.

Answer 10

Being forgiving is a wondeful trait. It will bring you peace. If you do not forgive then you are keeping it inside and it will only make you feel worse than you did originally.