Forgiveness Essay Example: Short Essay About Forgiveness

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Forgiveness

We are told that forgiveness is personal. If forgiveness is personal, why is it shared with the public? People ask for forgiveness. They demand forgiveness. If forgiveness is personal and should be done for my own reasoning, then you don't need it and you don't get to ask for it. The fact that you are seeking it explains or tells me that it's a tool that benefits you, and not me. We are told that forgiveness and anger aren't mutual and that a person has the ability to be angry and still be able to forgive someone. I don't know what definition of "forgiveness" people are using for that one, but I believe forgiveness is anger toward something that demands change, even though forgiveness is defined as accepting things as they are.

All around the world, there are religions that include the teachings on the nature of forgiveness, and a lot of these teachings can provide an underlying base for a variety of modern-day traditions and practices of forgiveness. Some religious philosophies emphasize the need for humans to find some kind of divine forgiveness for their own shortcomings, others places can greatly emphasize the need for humans to forgive one another, yet others can make little or no distinction when it comes between humans and divine forgiveness.

We’ve all suffered in life, it’s true. People keep saying forgive and forget, and yet we remember! The thought of forgetting about the wrongs and mistakes everyone faced seems offensive. How could "forgetting” help? And how is it even possible? Past wounds can't be removed from our memory, and even if we forget about past wounds, how are we to avoid the same situations again? A common phrase that comes to mind in such situations is, "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me”.

Forgiveness is a decision of the will. Because God commands us to forgive, we must make a choice to obey God and forgive. The offender may not wish forgiveness and that may never change, but that doesn't change God's desire that we possess a forgiving spirit (Matthew 5:44). Ideally, the person who offended you will seek reconciliation, but, if not, the wronged one can still make a decision to forgive.

In conclusion, it takes effort to understand and empathize with someone who has hurt you but always try to think positive. Try to think of a small gift you could offer this person. The gift might be a smile, a good handshake, returning a phone call, or simply higher tolerance the next time you are with this person. Always keep in mind, that forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same.