Forgiveness – Illustration using Candy
Forgiveness. It’s a hard thing to do, but if we are to be free from the offense, we need to forgive.
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
It’s detrimental to our health and well being. Ask anyone who has held onto unforgiveness for any length of time, and usually, you will detect anger, bitterness, deep pain, and distance toward the person they are struggling to forgive.
Using candy as an illustration
What do yogurt covered raisins, skittles, and peanut m&m’s have in common besides sugar? Plenty.
Over the years, I have learned what it’s like to hold onto unforgiveness. I have seen the long-lasting effects, watched how it destroys families and infected even the most delightful people with good intentions.
Unforgiveness starts like a small oak tree planted in fertile soil, takes root, and over time it’s roots grow and take hold. As the root grows, so does the tree. Over the years, the tree grows taller and broader; the roots grow deeper and stronger.
We find that when we are unwilling to extend forgiveness, feelings of bitterness, resentment, anger, and deep pain, grow deeper and stronger around our hearts.
I am of the thought that this deep seeded root of unforgiveness has a hard time cohabiting with joy. There doesn’t seem to be room for both. I liken it to two magnets opposing each other, or oil and water. The two don’t blend well.
Boundaries
Please hear me when I say that I do understand there are moments in our lives where it is challenging to forgive the offender. And I am not saying that once we do, we go back to life as usual and allow them to commit the same offense again, particularly if it involved something physical. I believe you know what I mean. Boundaries will be essential and should be determined for each situation.
Check out this video to find out. This illustration of forgiveness will help you to understand what can happen when we choose not to forgive.
Thanks for watching!
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