Have you ever forgiven someone for something terrible?

[lightbulb27]

This was inspiring article of man shot up in Baltimore by two kids. He's lucky to be alive, by skill of surgeons, luck, and faith in God to heal his heart. He spends his time helping those in prison and helping kids to avoid falling into despair.

Takes a lot of strength to forgive when the acts can be so life altering. Forgiveness leads to vulnerability, which leads to connection.

:Story:
https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/baltimore-man-forgiven-anonymous-shooter-nearly-killed-fate-stepped?dicbo=v2-rDy8r2u

[Anonymous]

To me , true strength is when a person can't or won't forgive someone, but yet they still find a way to heal and move on without allowing the hurt to consume them. They don't hold onto resentment and bitterness despite not forgiving.

Most people only forgive because they struggle to let go of the hurt. Not because of compassion or empathy the person who did them wrong. So forgiveness is rooted in selfish reasons.

[lightbulb27]

interesting twist!
I think there's more to it, but that's a fresh viewpoint. Is it possible this man forgave because of love... that is, he cares about the other person?

[Opinion Owner]

I really don't believe people forgive because they love someone or because of compassion. There's always a personal gain behind their motive for forgiving.

It's often said that forgiveness is something you give to yourself if someone hurts you , so you are able to let go of the pain and move on.

I've often heard parents saying they forgive their own childs killer. But only so they can deal with their heartwrenching pain. Forgiveness often leads to healing for a lot of people. So I believe healing is the motivation behind forgiveness. That's my viewpoint anyway..

I don't view someone as a good person just because they forgive. And I don't view someone as a bad person because they can't or won't forgive. But it shows a persons strength of courage and character if they can let go of pain and move on despite not forgiving.

Years ago , my sister repeatedly hurt me, but I always forgave her , every single time. She destroyed me inside. Yes I love her, but the motive behind my forgiveness wasn't because of my love for her. It's was because I missed her found it hard without her in my life. So really my reason for forgiving her was selfish reasons

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think with religion and age I have become mature and thus forgiving. I haven’t forced my self to forgive, I just felt like forgiving when I got older. But I still don’t really want to talk the offenders. I believe that God will punish them as they haven’t confessed what they have done and are children of God.

[LiamJHayden]

The only terrible thing that I can remember that was caused by someone was when I got hit by a car in a crosswalk. That was careless but accidental. My attorney dealt with it. I forgave the driver for it, but not sure if that qualifies since I got a hefty settlement before I did.

[SirJohn42]

I forgave my ex wife but will never forget the hell she put me through. I forgave one of my bullies. Forgiving can be hard to do but everytime I do I feel free.
Also if you dont forgive them how can God forgive you.

[Agape93]

Not a chance. I don't forgive, much less for something terrible. If what you did was terrible to my arguably fucked up sensibilities, you really fucked up and you best avoid me.

[Thot_Stomper]

My ex bought me a iphone 13 pro with only 128 gigs. He knew I wanted the 256 but said they were sold out as if that's my problem

[lightbulb27]

the nerve! I hope he got a thrashing first.

[Thot_Stomper]

I never spoke to him again. I was absolutely devastated

[Anonymous]

For me, holding a grudge burns energy and i prefer not to. So as a general rule of thumb, forgive but don't forget. Such rules are seriously challenged when something very serious happens though and I've not been there.

[bedroomeyes]

I'm a forgiving person, but there are certain things that I don't have the grace to forgive.

[Anonymous]

Yup. Back in 2017, my mom threatened to kill me. Although she “apologized”, she still felt what she did was warranted (it was not). It took me a *long* time to forgive her and move passed that.

[Wild_princess]

Yes, i try to forgive but not forget... take a lesson from it and try to move on

[WanderingLoveWizard]

Only after I've sent them to hell

[lightbulb27]

forgiveness with consequences, yea I get that.

[WanderingLoveWizard]

Lol. Good way to put it

[melanieeeB]

Nope never, I don't forgive and I don't forget

[Greenbins]

No... unfortunately I can't..

I'm a strong believer in " an eye for an eye "

[Nikki1989]

No, I don't forgive easily.

[NathanDavis]

yes, myself...

[exitseven]

No, I do not forgive toi many people

[FilmGuy93]

Yes, I have.

[LavLavLuv]

Yeah