Being hurt or heartbroken is never fun or easy. When you’ve been betrayed or done wrong it can be hard to get over. You start to wonder why you’ve been hurt and can even start to believe that you deserved it. Forgiveness is an underrated step in recovery and healing from significant trauma.
There are very few people who deal with their trauma head-on with no avoidance or unhealthy coping mechanisms. Even if you avoid the people who have hurt or betrayed you, those feelings must be addressed. Here are some reasons why forgiving people who hurt you is so crucial to your own healing.
Sets You Free
Have you ever been holding several heavy grocery bags or suitcases? Do you instantly feel better by transferring that weight from you? Have you ever gotten something pressing off your chest and exhaled deeply? This is the same feeling you get from genuinely forgiving someone. There’s a saying that holding onto bitterness blocks the flow of future blessings. If you notice, people who hold grudges and hold onto hurt are usually angry. They haven’t yet been set free from past trauma.
Begin the Healing Process
Regardless of what happens to you in this life, it is your responsibility to heal. No matter how much pain has been served up to you on a plate you have to find ways to cope. Some people tend to avoid their issues or use unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage. While this may push away those feelings in the short term, more damage is caused in the long term. Healing doesn’t have to be traditional therapy or some sort of spiritual awakening. It can be a simple conversation with a person you’ve been at odds with. It can be putting differences aside and agreeing to move on in a productive way. Your healing is up to you. Stop letting those emotions hold you back and live your best life!
They No Longer Have Power Over You
People often believe that by cutting others off or ignoring them that they have won. In fact, it’s the opposite. If a person can control your reactions, emotions, and future, they have power over you. If you get so upset at someone that you risk your freedom to seek revenge on them – you’ve lost. Or, if you find yourself feeling sick, frustrated, or angry at the mere mention of someone’s name – they still reign control. Forgiving others allows them to release that hold over you. Stop letting people have domain over your happiness. You deserve all the good things coming your way. People inevitably will let you down and betray you along the way. And in return, the universe will handle both parties accordingly.