Preview

Definition Essay On Forgiveness

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2296 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Definition Essay On Forgiveness
Priscilla Birchfield
COM 252
November14, 2014
Forgiveness

I have always heard that “forgiveness is the key to all things, and to be forgiven is a blessing.” The willingness to forgive is a very difficult decision to make and once a person decides to forgive, it closes one door and opens another, and how the relationship ends up is always different. To be the one who is forgiven is a heavy burden that has been lifted off of one 's back. Even though a person may be forgiven, this does not always imply things will be the same. What is forgiveness, what comes out of forgiveness, are things better or are things over, does it mean things are forgotten or does it mean ones behavior has been condoned/excused, there are many questions that arise?
…show more content…
In order to heal I had to just let go of the past and let God take care of the rest. When I did find the one guy, he was a lot older and crippled. I forgave him only for my own sense of peace, and I felt like I could finally be free, and that I could move on forward with my life, I was no longer bound to that anger and pain no more. As for the one other one, well I was never able to tell him that I forgave him personally, but I knew in my heart I had forgiven him as well. When I decided to forgive both of those men for the wrongs they had done to me, I just could feel an instant sense of relief, a freedom from the bondage of anger and sadness. I was finally able to let it all go. Then I began to finally feel like myself again. I felt like the old me, and it was a feeling that I had missed and had longed for so long. I know that some people are not able to forgive others for things like what those men had done, but for myself, I needed, wanted and had to forgive, in order to find peace. I knew that if I did not find forgiveness for them, not only would I never find peace in my life, but I knew that I would not make it into heaven, if I had not found a way to forgive them. I knew God had forgiven me for my wrongs and I had done plenty, and who was I not to forgive them if I am child of God? If I …show more content…
I think that forgiveness is the key to most answers. Forgiveness does not only help the person who is doing the forgiving to feel a sense of peace, but it also has its perks for the one who is being forgiven. Giving out forgiveness offers a person freedom from the adverse feelings they once held, and the person who is receiving the forgiveness, may also feel as if a burden had been lifted. Either person may feel a sense of relief/peace as well, because neither of them are no longer feeling either a heavy heart, from having negative feelings or having the burden of guilt. Generally the person who had been doing all the offending may even feel as if their wrong doings are not plaguing them anymore and the person forgiving may feel free at last and may be at peace because of the release of bottled up undesirable feelings. I feel like forgiveness can not only bring closure for some people and put endings to certain situations, but forgiveness can also be a way to open up doors and restore relationships. Forgiveness can be a way to make a fresh start or it can be a way to new

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    There are many different situations to decide of whether a person should forgive or not. From lying to blackmail to murder. In the article, It’s For You to Know That You Forgive, Says Holocaust Survivor, Eva Kor speaks of what happened to her family and her sister and goes up to trial against a former Nazi at the end of the trial the former Nazi hugs and kisses Kor and she manages to forgive him following after the events in an interview she says, “when a victim chooses to forgive, they take the power back from their tormentors”. Forgiving is not giving them power, it's not obliterating someones terrible actions; it's simply a coping mechanism and a way to set a person free in their…

    • 721 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Forgiveness is defined as a victim undergoing changes in attitude or feelings regarding an offense , and letting go of negative emotions such as vengefulness , with an increased ability to wish the offender well.…

    • 235 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Despite all the mistakes a person makes shouldn’t forgiveness always be achievable? Kit forgave many people in her life, she forgave her father even after everything he put her through. Kit forgave her mother for not trying hard enough and she forgave many people that entered her life and made mistakes as well. In the novel “Baygirl” by Heather Smith the theme is that there is always room for forgiveness.…

    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In the article Effects of forgiveness therapy on anger, mood, and vulnerability to substance use among inpatient substance-dependent clients (Lin, Mack, Enright, Krahn, & Basking, 2004), anger is the greatest deterrent for relapse in individuals who are trying to overcome substance-abuse addictions. A new approach to anger, forgiveness therapy, “posits that resentment and its accompanying anger are often justifiable responses to severe wrongs” (Lin et al., 2004, p. 1115). Forgiveness when given and received, allows for hope to be restored in human kindness. Jesus tells to forgive as…

    • 1634 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Sue Monk Kidd portrays this idea throughout the characters Lily and June with their struggles to find contentment in the world. However, this is an issue some people in the world flounder with. When a person has done someone wrong it is hard to overlook his or her actions and it inflicts pain upon the victim. It is not until the victim pardons the wrong doings of that person to find happiness with him or herself. In the end, the one forgiving benefits the greatest because the anger weighs heavily upon a person's soul. Once the anger dissipates a myriad of tensions is released and that person begins to move on with his or her life.Forgiving a lifelong grievance with someone releases the trigger within one’s self to begin the healing process of internal…

    • 1679 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of forgive is to stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for an offense, flaw, or mistake. However, there is a deeper meaning to this. Contrary to some of Harold S. Kushner’s statements, I believe that forgiveness is as beneficial for the victim of the crimes as it is for the offender. In fact, I am far more inclined to agree with Jose Hobday’s views. He states that…

    • 981 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The thing about forgiveness, the undeniable, excruciating truth, is the hardest person in the world to forgive… is yourself. Especially when you’re responsible for the deaths of two of the people you love most in the world.…

    • 225 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Susan Wallace: My Hero

    • 412 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Forgiveness, in my opinion, is one of the hardest things you will have to accomplish in your lifetime. Susan, completely…

    • 412 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jean Vanier has done a beautiful job with this book in describing how forgiveness works. In chapter five, he gives us principles, steps, and characteristics that will help us reach forgiveness. Vanier states “Forgiveness is the process of removing barriers; it is the process by which we start to accept and to love those who have hurt us.” (Pg. 136). In other words, you don’t seek revenge but to accept and love the person who has hurt you. Hurt, can involve a person physically hurting you or you speaking bad about a person who has spoken in a bad way about you. Vanier, also states that there are two types of guilt the psychological; which is caused by other people and the moral guilt; caused by ourselves. Vanier, also states “To forgive is to…

    • 481 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Albert Ellis

    • 173 Words
    • 1 Page

    Explanation: I think it would be interesting to hear the class talk about what “true forgiveness” means, from their own worldview…

    • 173 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Thomas W. Baskin & Robert D. Enright talked about numerous studies that were completed on the effectiveness of forgiveness. Baskin & Robert's intent of this article was to evaluate the outcomes of each study that was completed. According to both Baskin & Robert if forgiveness was a part of counseling it would be defined as a person letting go grudges against the enemy (Baskin & Enright, 2004). “Forgiveness is an act freely chosen by the forgiver” (Baskin & Enright, 2004).…

    • 877 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Hiding Place Analysis

    • 435 Words
    • 2 Pages

    To most people, forgiving is seen as simply accepting an apology given by the one who wronged them. However, forgiving is so much more than just that. Forgiving takes such vast quantities of effort, feeling, and, most importantly, love. There is no forgiveness without love. For if you do not really feel the love in your heart for the person who wronged you, how can you give anything more than a grudging acceptance…

    • 435 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Forgiveness is not for the weak. Begging able to forgive those who have wronged you is a mark is spiritual strength and confidence. When you forgive, you grow. Your heart begins to heal, you back straightens up, your eyes clear so that you can see the road ahead. Anger is spiritual sicknesses; but when you forgive, you live.” -Wale…

    • 603 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    At times it is helpful to hear or say the words “I FORGIVE YOU” to start the healing process. These three simple words are very powerful and often times a key catalyst to bring peace back into our lives and hearts. Forgiving can also bring a renewed sense of hope and happiness to our daily lives and the freedom it can give is liberating!…

    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    No matter what mistakes that a person makes, and no matter how many times one hears “I forgive you.” It is not about the amount of times you hear it, it is about you start forgiving yourself. That is once you find the true meaning of…

    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics