More On Forgiveness

Usually when we think of forgiveness we think of one situation where we have been hurt and dealing with that situation. But there are other kinds of forgiveness that require us to just let go of all the hurt from many situations. These types of forgiveness usually are needed in family situations.

Families are wonderful. Family relationships are deep rooted and can be a powerful support to every family member. But at the same time, because they are so close and intimate we often experience each other at our very worst. Therefore, family relationships can also create hurt—if we let it.

Many years ago I wrote an article about forgiving our parents for the way they raised us. It was published in the Ensign and was entitled “A Difficult Kind of Forgiveness.” I received a lot of response from that article and realized that almost all of us at some time or another received a few emotional “scars” inflicted by our parents because of things that happened when we were growing up. But we can let go of the past, forgive all that happened and move on. This not only frees us from unnecessary pain; it rejuvenates and enables strong family relationships in the future. Our past may not be what we wanted, but our future can be if we forgive and move on.