When the emotional hurt seems too overwhelming, how can I start the process of forgiving?
Acknowledging the emotional pain and letting yourself feel it often is a first step. Be careful not to pass negative judgement on yourself when feeling the pain. For example, refrain from such false judgements as “I must be weak to be feeling this kind of anger and sadness.” Those feelings are quite normal after betrayal. Think about the advantages of eventually doing the hard work of forgiving. As you advance in the process of forgiveness, the anger and sadness likely will lessen, and it is possible that the forgiving could lead to reconciliation with the other person if the behavior changes for the better. Try to see forgiveness as a process that may need your patience, self-compassion, and in certain situations, professional counseling.
