Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

What Would I Do Without God

Home
General Christian
Relationships and Religion
Can a Mere Human Ever Fully Forgive?

Can a Mere Human Ever Fully Forgive?

Last updated on: July 11, 2023 at 2:16 pm by Theresa Siller

0 Comments

Can a Mere Human Ever Fully Forgive? 2023-07-11T14:16:24-04:00 Theresa Siller

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Tulips are a symbol of forgiveness=serenity. JHenning

Help Lord! Teach Me How to Forgive!

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NIV)

My Trauma

Sadly, years ago, I experienced a raw and real sojourn through explosive shock, blinding anger, debilitating hurt and finally, the peace of true forgiveness, that only God can provide. Forgiveness –an impossible, tall order, or an invitation to serenity? I have come to believe it is both.

This is the story of how an event orchestrated from Hell connected with our family. A person, who will remain nameless, decided to falsely accuse my husband and me. This miserable soul used email as a weapon, and even hacked into my Facebook account to post on my wall yet more untruths!

I found this human’s transgression of lies and uncaring words too astoundingly hurtful to warrant any forgiveness, EVER. “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:8 (NIV)

I was Apoplectic

Abject anger set in, so consuming I could not sleep. I woke up numerous nights at 2:00 A.M. ruminating about the cruel words spoken. I remained furious and hurt for, literally, years. Nothing this harsh had ever happened to me in my entire life. My husband and I wanted to shout from the rooftops, “It’s not true! Do not listen to this B.S.! We are innocent!”

The Road to Recovery

Something had to change. Obviously I could not handle this being’s reprehensible behavior, on my own. I began to make an early morning time when I could have peace in God’s presence. I’m disappointed in myself to say that this disciplined prayer time never happened consistently in my life, until I had walked through this fire!

Who knew that a tragic lie could bring me CLOSER to God? What a silver lining! Praise Him for being there for us always, no matter what. Praise Him for making things better, some way, somehow. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Beautiful Fall reminds us that as God creates beauty, He will help us with anything. JHenning

Forgiveness –An Education and a Skill

I bought and read books about forgiveness. Two of my favorites are on precept.org, and The Epic Family Wedge by Julianne McFitz on Amazon.

I came across a life-changing verse in Isaiah. “No weapon forged against you will prevail. And you will refute every tongue that accuses you.” Isaiah 54:17 (NIV) God brought that verse right into my heart when I needed it most!

I also went to Confession and asked the Priest for help with this scourge on my life. He said, “How much longer do you think you’re going to live? 30, 40 Years? Do you want to carry around this awfulness like a backpack of boulders for the rest of your life?” Indeed.

Forgiveness Tools From Other Faiths

I read an article about a man who forced himself to pray for his enemies every day. He said it became easier and easier to naturally forgive them as this process went on. I could not fathom this. Could I ever get to that point? NO WAY. But what could I lose? So I tried it.

I also researched other world religions and their take on forgiveness, as I embarked on this quest. I worked for a Jewish woman who led me to a profound verse in the Torah. “Do not hate your brother in your heart.” Leviticus 19:17 I taught two students from a Muslim family, who became good friends and always invited us to their post-Ramadan Eid Celebration. Their mother led me to a forgiveness verse in the Quran. “We have not created the Heavens and the Earth and everything in between except for a purpose. And the Hour is certain to come. So forgive graciously.” (Quran 15:85)

All who consistently practice any faith around the world, realize that forgiveness is paramount to following God. God forgives us every day. We have to somehow find it in ourselves to forgive others… So much easier said than done!

I began making myself pray for this accuser as I did planks at the gym. I hate planks. I’m terrible at them. Planks are so excruciating that I offered up that agony to the Lord, while adding prayers for the hater.

A gradual transformation most definitely took place. Very subtle but very apparent. My anger faded. I took myself out of the equation and focused on this mean person as a child of God. Loved by Him. Cherished by Him.

If we are open to it, God will show us compelling things.

God’s creation teaches us that He is sovereign and wants to help us forgive. JHenning

This miserable person ended up falsely accusing three other people. No one listened to the rants anymore.

Our Higher Power will make a way where there is no way. Divine Order will always trump human circumstances. I fully forgive, but only because I had the power of God behind me. He will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

Forgiveness is freedom. Jill Wellington

Muslim

Jewish

Forgiveness

Forgiveness in other faiths

God's help to forgive

Importance of Morning Prayer

Forgiveness

Importance of Morning Prayer

Struggling to Forgive

Previous Post

July 7, 2023

First Things First: Knees

Next Post

July 13, 2023 Is the Anxiety of Confession Worth It?

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category !2-Step Programs 4th Step Inventory 11th Step Prayer-Big book of AA 4th Step Inventory AA adulting Alcoholism Alzheimers Angels help us avoid temptation anxiety Anxiety for the Unknown armor of God autoimmune disorders Avastin eye shots Benefits of attending Eucharistic Adoration Bethany Hamilton Bible verses on peace Big Book of AA Billy Joel song Blessed Mother Blind faith bomb sniffing dogs Bust Stigma canine intelligence Carpal Tunnel Surgery Catechism of the Catholic Church Celebrity Memoir Christian Author Christian exclusivity Christian judgment Christian meanness Claddagh Ring Confidence Contentment danger of texting while driving Dementia Demonic possession Demons Depression Devil Discerning God's Purpose Disease of Addiction dogs' amazing sense of smell Dr. Tony Evans drug sniffing dogs Earth's pleasures are fleeting exorcism Failure Failure faith discussions Father Amorth Fear Feast Day of the Guardian Angels Forgiveness Forgiveness in other faiths Friend Tribe Friendship Ghosting Glennon Doyle God Epiphany God's gift of dogs God's help to forgive God's Peace good deeds Good friends Grace Gratitude Gratitude List greater purpose grounding Guardian Angels Gulf War Harlan Coben Higher Power Sovereignty Holiness Hospital ship Comfort How can the Bible help suicidal ideation? How Important Is It? Identity in God Idols Above God ignore other human's opinions Importance of Community Importance of Morning Prayer Intercessor with Jesus Katy Nichole "Hold On" song Kidney transplant Learn all points of view Let Go and Let God Life Lessons Limbo Life Listening Listening with eye contact Love is a decision lyme disease M. Scott Peck Marriage Advice Matthew Perry RIP Matthew Perry's Addiction Maya Angelou Medical Discharge from the Navy Mental Health millennials not attending church Mother Angelica Movie Soul Surfer Movie Unstoppable National Parents As Teachers Day Natural Family Planning-NFP Natural vs. Artificial contraception Navigating Intimate Relationships Never wear out your welcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Only God Can Fill You Otherworldly strength Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Lourdes Our Lady of Medjugorje Padre Pio peace Prayer of Jabez progressive muscle relaxation proselytizing QTIP Randy Pausch-The Last Lecture recession of 2008 Retinologist Sacrament of Confession Satan Satan's Lies search and rescue dogs Self-Esteem service dogs Shame short-term memory loss spiritual warfare St. John Bosco St. Thomas Aquinas suicide suicide prevention suicide risks The importance of thank-you notes Tony Dungy toxic people Trust Uncategorized unexpected blessings Unfulfilled Soul what would Jesus Do?

Select a Month November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz