I am always amazed at how much lighter and freer I feel, spiritually and emotionally, when I first let go of, then actually forgive, those who have hurt me in one way or another. I find there is a real danger when I let the negative energy of "my hurt" take hold of me and control my actions. Henri Nouwen puts it very well in his book, "Bread for the Journey:
"To forgive another person from the heart is an act of liberation....As long as we do not forgive those who have wounded us, we carry them with us, or worse, pull them as a heavy load. The great temptation is to cling in anger to our enemies and then define ourselves as being offended and wounded by them. Forgiveness, therefore, liberates not only the other but also ourselves. It is the way to the freedom of the children of God."
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| Chimney Lake, Eagle Cap Wilderness |
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| Hells Canyon sunrise |
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