Ask Dr. Forgiveness
I am a Christian believer, and I am wondering if you can offer just one Bible passage to help me with my shame and self-condemnation. Thank you in advance for this.
I would recommend that you reflect on the ideas in Genesis 1 that all people are made in the image and likeness of God. This idea is repeated in this same chapter. If all people are made in God’s image, then you, too, are so made. Given this reality, who are you as a person? Are you more than your failings and sins in this life? You also can confess your sins, which can alleviate guilt.
As just one more follow-up question, if I start to forgive on my own, I like your self-help book, Forgiveness Is a Choice. Would you recommend that I start there?
Yes, that book has been empirically supported, as its principles have been applied successfully in research on forgiveness interventions. If you decide to seek the help of a mental health professional, you could bring a copy of that book to this person, and both of you could discuss the contents of the book as you work on forgiveness.
Thank you for suggesting that I start forgiving soon. Would you recommend that I start with a therapist, or can I do this on my own?
You can start on your own, and if you feel stuck and need support, then finding a good therapist is recommended. Please ensure that this mental health professional is well-versed in Forgiveness Therapy. Otherwise, the person might suggest other paths that may not be as effective as a forgiveness intervention.
I tend to have moderate to high levels of anger. I actually am scared that my holding onto this anger could kill me. When would you recommend that I start to forgive those who were unfair to me, leading to this anger?
You definitely are not denying the anger. You are seeing that it can harm you. You seem ready to forgive. You can start today or as soon as possible to forgive.
If I try to minimize in my own mind the extent of another person’s injustice against me, this tends to lower my anger. Is this approach all right in your view?
No, actually, it is not, because it denies what happened. This denial will not necessarily lead to a more lasting reduction in the anger. For example, weeks later, you might have a thought that is more accurate regarding the extent of the injustice against you. You then will have to deal with that. If, on the other hand, you once again reframe the injustice with the distortion that it was not so bad, the more realistic appraisal likely will resurface later once again. It is better to see reality as it is so that you can see the extent of the injustice, the extent of the anger within you, and then deal constructively with this.
