Is There Sacrifice in Forgivness?

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By BDazzler


The short answer to this question is "Yes". When you choose to forgive, you sacrafice your right to "justice".

Let me be clear on what forgiveness is NOT:

  1. It is not pretending that what happened was right.
  2. It is not pretending that what happened didn't hurt.
  3. It is not "explaining it way" as the result of bad environment or bad circumstances.
  4. It is not necessarily the avoidence of consequences of actions. (For example you can choose to forgive a criminal who hurts you and still testify against them in court, and they may still go to jail.)

When you forgive, you sacrafice your right to "moral superiority". You sacrafice your right to tell everybody how badly you were hurt. You sacrafice your right to have that person treated as a social outcast.

You grant that forgiven person the right to look you in the eye without fear of accusation and without shame for the offense. So, you sacrafice the right to have the offender shamed before you.

And what do you gain from this sacrafice? You gain freedom from internal torment. You get release from the nagging thoughts of what they did to you. You gain the ability to sleep. You gain freedom from anger. You gain the opportunity for a restored relationship.

Yes, there is sacrafice in forgiveness. But the gain is greater.


Peace Through Forgiveness
Peace Through Forgiveness

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Comments

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jeromeo  says:
13 months ago

How true your words and how revealing they are of your heart.

BizzyMuse profile image

BizzyMuse  says:
13 months ago

Beautiful hub - and so very true. Thank you for sharing!

BDazzler profile image

BDazzler  says:
13 months ago

Thank both of you!

mikeq107 profile image

mikeq107  says:
13 months ago

Hey BD ;0)

Again very well put and great to have you on Here!!

Mike:0) Ps I Did a hub called "unforgiveness" think you will like it..Later

Eddie Perkins  says:
13 months ago

This is very very good. You hit the nail on the head. You need to write much more.

Like Psa 18

Keep up the good work. ~ eddie

BDazzler profile image

BDazzler  says:
13 months ago

Thanks Eddie! I've got one cooking!

AEvans profile image

AEvans  says:
13 months ago

I love the greater gain and freedom from torment , if everyone could follow those guidelines how wonderful would our world be!! Great Article!!:)

BDazzler profile image

BDazzler  says:
13 months ago

Thanks!

EmbracingTheTruth  says:
13 months ago

Forgiving people is one of my greatest struggles, but I agree the peace you have within once you do is priceless!

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