Forgiveness Is Not Weakness | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Forgiving Someone Does Not Make You Weak

Allow yourself to be set free.

550
Woman standing with her arms behind her and her head up next to the ocean.
https://pixabay.com/en/people-man-woman-hug-2567657/

Think about the last time you were hurt by someone. Maybe you were betrayed by someone you thought was your friend. Maybe your partner cheated on you. Maybe someone called you a derogatory name.

Regardless of what happened, you were hurt. You cried. You were angry at them. You wondered why you deserved something so terrible.

I've been hurt a lot in my life, that's for sure. As I'm sure we all have.

The last time someone hurt me terribly, I was angry. However, I could not hold an ounce of hate in my heart towards them. People told me I should hate them, but I just couldn't.

I was mad at myself for not hating them. Why could not I hate them? That was what I was supposed to do, right?

I felt weak at first for not hating the person. I couldn't believe that I had started to forgive them. I felt like my emotions were wrong.

Over time, though, I realized that I was the wrong one to even believe something was wrong with me.

You are allowed to hurt. You are allowed to cry. That doesn't mean you have to hate someone.

There's no "right" way to feel after being hurt. For me, holding grudges or hating people who hurt me only causes me more pain.

"Forgive and forget" usually does not hold true for me either. Even though I don't forget, I do try my best to forgive.

Despite how hard it can be sometimes, I have learned that forgiveness can set you free. There's nothing productive in holding a grudge towards someone. Although you may never forget what they did to you, you will forever remember the pain you have felt for the rest of your life.

My best advice is to forgive them, and forgive yourself if you need to.

If you cannot forgive them right now, that's okay. It takes time for the pain to heal. But if you want to forgive, let yourself do it. Never feel like you are weak for letting go.

Allow yourself to be set free.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
singing
Cambio

Singing is something I do all day, every day. It doesn't matter where I am or who's around. If I feel like singing, I'm going to. It's probably annoying sometimes, but I don't care -- I love to sing! If I'm not singing, I'm probably humming, sometimes without even realizing it. So as someone who loves to sing, these are some of the feelings and thoughts I have probably almost every day.

Keep Reading...Show less
success
Degrassi.Wikia

Being a college student is one of the most difficult task known to man. Being able to balance your school life, work life and even a social life is a task of greatness. Here's an ode to some of the small victories that mean a lot to us college students.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

6 Signs You're A Workaholic

Becuase of all things to be addicted to, you're addicted to making money.

412
workaholic
kaboompics

After turning 16, our parents start to push us to get a job and take on some responsibility. We start to make our own money in order to fund the fun we intend on having throughout the year. But what happens when you've officially become so obsessed with making money that you can't even remember the last day you had off? You, my friend, have become a workaholic. Being a workaholic can be both good and bad. It shows dedication to your job and the desire to save money. It also shows that you don't have a great work-life balance. Here are the signs of becoming a workaholic.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 Life Lessons For The Camp Counselor
madison miller

Spending five, 10 or even more weeks in the outdoors leading elementary to high school aged kids for a week at a time is unique, to say the least. You see things in yourself you didn't think were there and experience emotions you can not explain. What you learn is valuable for more than just camp, but extends to life after the summer.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Things You Can Get Away With Now That You're At College

83% of my trends in college would have been shamed in high school.

1949
college life
Google Images

Transitioning from high school to college can be a stressful experience, especially if you're like me and hate change. Over the past two years I've realized there's many things I couldn't get away with in High School that are typically applauded in college.

1. Eat

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments