OK… this can be a powerful week if you hang in there with us. We are learning from Dr. David Stoop’s “Forgiving our parents, forgiving ourselves.” Today we are going to simply list the six steps and then we will focus on one at a time through the week. Are you ready? Let’s take this journey!
Forgiveness leads to freedom from the effects of our past.
The Six Steps of Forgiveness
1. Recognize the injury.
2. Identify the emotions involved.
3. Express your hurt and anger.
4. Set boundaries to protect yourself.
5. Cancel the debt.
6. Consider the possibility of reconciliation.
What does it mean to recognize the injury?
First you must answer some questions: What happened? Who did it? What effect did it have on me?
Often we are aware of pain and hurt but we have buried the cause of those feelings. Sometimes we have a hard time remembering because part of us does not want to remember what happened. Remembering is important. Get out a sheet of paper and make a list of “wrongs done to me.” This is not to wallow in self pity but rather to lay a foundation for the steps to follow.
Now, Identify the emotions involved. More on that tomorrow.
First you must answer some questions: What happened? Who did it? What effect did it have on me?
Often we are aware of pain and hurt but we have buried the cause of those feelings. Sometimes we have a hard time remembering because part of us does not want to remember what happened. Remembering is important. Get out a sheet of paper and make a list of “wrongs done to me.” This is not to wallow in self pity but rather to lay a foundation for the steps to follow.
Now, Identify the emotions involved. More on that tomorrow.
