I recently read that forgiving another person is “freeing yourself from the burden of negative emotions.” Is this what forgiveness is?
Actually, no, this is not what forgiveness is in its deepest sense. Because forgiveness is a moral virtue, it involves, as best you can at the present time, being good to those who are not good to you. Forgiving includes seeing the humanity in the other person and working toward more positive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors toward the one who offended you. As an example of positive behavior, this might be a kind word to the other person or even a kind word about that person to others if you are not reconciled with the one who acted unfairly. “Freeing yourself from the burden of negative emotions” is one of the consequences of forgiving. This consequence should not be confused with what forgiveness actually is.
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