What Do You Mean, FORGIVE?

Are you kidding me? Do you even realize what I’ve been through, what has happened to me, and you are asking me to FORGIVE?

Would that be your response? Have you been through the worst of the worst, with a broken heart, feeling unloved, uncared for, bitter and resentful towards an abuser, a murderer, a rapist?

My heart grieves for you and others who have experienced the abuse over and over again. Some have committed suicide because the pain has been more than they can bear. Some turn to alcohol and drugs to dull the pain and shame. Some turn into abusers themselves, releasing their anger the only way they know how. and some are HEALED.

Theo Fluery is an example of one who was brutally raped 150 times by his hockey coach. Nights of fear and sexual abuse had a devastating impact on his young life. He has chosen healing and is now speaking out about his experience and helping others to overcome as well.

I just saw part of his story on FB. https://www.facebook.com/goalcast/videos/1796505740426608/? hc_ref=ARQEea_f30sOsIr_dYxFOPB4c9CZ6URP6-3ZRp5ULQ7GCATcRYz 7ld1OHauGAaf56z

Eva Kor’s powerful story of her horrific experience at the hands of Dr. Mengele with his drug experiments on her and her twin sister in Auschwitz has truly convinced me of the power of forgiveness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdgPAetNY5U.

This is her statement at the end of the video:
“What is my forgiveness? It is an act of self-healing, self-liberation, self- empowerment. All victims all hurt, feel hopeless, feel helpless, feel powerless. I want everybody to remember that we cannot change what happened. That is the tragic part, but we can change how we relate to it.”

How can a mother forgive the murderer of her son? Not easily for sure, but watch these mothers’ stories:

In the second video, Mary states, “Unforgiveness is like cancer. It will eat you from the inside out. It’s not about that other person. Me forgiving him does not diminish what he’s done. He murdered my son. The forgiveness is for me.”

In my own life, the freedom I have today is worth every penny I have spent, is worth every minute I have been in prayer, is worth every memory of abuse and then overcoming the pain, the shame and the cancer with forgiveness. It isn’t easy but it is possible and it starts with understanding the power and benefits of forgiveness and then being willing to forgive.

That is why I have a passion to come alongside others and help them on their journey of recovery. To find out more about my course, “Freedom in Forgiveness, How to Be Better, not Bitter, email me at irene@irenebryant.com.

Irene Bryant, Author, Speaker, Coach. www.irenebryant.com.