Dear Ms. Thompson,
This is a very touchy subject and your coverage was good. The title is very becoming because forgiveness is indeed a burden for the person who is wronged. It's a catch 22 - in reality nature's ordinance is for revenge.
When someone hurts you the reflex is to want to hurt them back. At the same time, keeping that anger inside or acting on the ill feelings still tends to make matters worse for the victim. So yes, forgiveness is a burden; a burden the wounded has to carry and battle with, until he/she can expunge it. Yet, it's the only thing that will bring some level of healing for most persons who've been wronged.
Once again, this brings us to the point that 'the world is not fair' because the person inflicting the wound usually couldn't care less about the person they've hurt, thus they go on 'happily' while the wounded has to sort things out to prevent themselves from slipping further into the abyss of pain.
However, there's the flip side where there are people who find happiness in getting even and think that forgiveness is reserved for the weak; these people suffer no internal illness or depression because they would opt to confront their offender and become vigilantes. It's totally a matter of belief and perspective. Not all unforgiving individuals walk around with a knot in their stomachs.
- Ruejy
Dear Ms. Thompson,
You are correct that if anyone applies the principles taught in the Bible, the positive results promised therein will definitely be manifested. I would still add that even greater benefit can be had by getting a little help from the person who outlined all those strategies - God himself. After all, since it is freely available, why stop at the advice? Accept the abundant supply of help, in large helpings if you please.
- Donna Ann Wilson
Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published in our letters section and in our articles.
