I fought a battle with forgiveness when an evil person abused my child. God showed me that forgiving was for ME, not the abuser. Holding on to hate (unforgiveness) was like holding on to a hot coal. It did nothing to the abuser, but it was burning me. So, I let it go. But because the person was a family member, I had contact sometimes. No smiles. No interaction. I found peace by comparing this way: If a dog is a biter, I avoid that dog. I don’t hit it or beat it. I stay away from it. It’s not unforgiveness, it’s common sense. Nuff said.
P.S. I did turn the abuser in to the police.
That’s a really good example of what I was feebly trying to explain. Is it forgiveness, or is it acceptance? Both create internal peace, but forgiveness fills us with happiness and optimism for a better relationship in the future. Acceptance is the acknowledgement that the situation can’t be changed but our own good life can and will continue in spite of the damage done.
:: If a dog is a biter, I avoid that dog. I don’t hit it or beat it. I stay away from it. It’s not unforgiveness, it’s common sense. ::
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Good analogy.