I've learned a valuable lesson recently. A few years ago I was deeply hurt by a close friend of mine. I moved on, tried to forget about the incident and made many new friends. Over the last few weeks it has been on my mind again. I haven't seen or spoken to her in since it happened but I knew that I REALLY needed to forgive her. I thought I had because I had moved on but I never completely forgave her because I didn't tell her that I did. So a few days ago, I finally told her. I emailed her and explained how I felt and how sorry I was that it happened and that I forgave her.
The Lord has blessed me with a great peace since then. Part of the forgiveness process it to tell the offending person(s) that you forgive them. I thought I could just forgive her and that was that. Boy was I wrong! I don't know if she got my email or not or how she feels about it but I do know that I've done what I know I needed to. I know it was the right thing to do even if it's been a few years since it happened.
Here is an excerpt from a talk given by James E. Faust in April 2007.The Healing Power of Forgiveness
James E. Faust
"The Healing Power of Forgiveness," , (April 1, 2007)
If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being.
"If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being. Some recent studies show that people who are taught to forgive become “less angry, more hopeful, less depressed, less anxious and less stressed,” which leads to greater physical well-being. Another of these studies concludes “that forgiveness … is a liberating gift [that] people can give to themselves.”
...In our day the Lord has admonished us, “Ye ought to forgive one another,” and then makes it requisite when He says, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”
Let us remember that we need to forgive to be forgiven. In the words of one of my favorite hymns, “Oh, forgive as thou wouldst be e’en forgiven now by me.” With all my heart and soul, I believe in the healing power that can come to us as we follow the counsel of the Savior “to forgive all men.”
