Forgiveness: The Path to Healing and Spiritual Freedom
by Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
We live in a world where it’s far too easy to reach for anger, hold onto bitterness, and let hate take root. Life seems filled with people who push our buttons, with situations that seem deliberately designed to test our patience. And when we’re caught in those moments, reacting with rage feels justified it feels like we have the right to be angry. But let me ask you to pause for just a moment and consider another path, a different way forward, one that I’ve come to understand through my journey. Yes, we face people whose words or actions cut deep, who wrong us in ways that seem unforgivable. And yes, there are circumstances that weigh heavily on our hearts, tempting us to retaliate, to let their toxicity poison our souls. But if we pay attention and listen closely to our hearts, not our egos, those moments of hurt can actually be blessings in disguise. They offer us an opportunity to rise above, to forgive, and ultimately, to grow.
I didn’t always see it this way. There was a time when I believed holding onto anger was the only way to protect myself. I felt that if I let go of my rage, I was somehow allowing those who had wronged me to win. But over time, and with the guidance of the Creator, I’ve come to realize that this mindset wasn’t protecting me. It was slowly destroying me. The anger I clung to wasn’t a shield, it was a heavy chain, weighing down my spirit.
Through this journey, I’ve learned that every painful encounter carries within it a sacred gift. It’s an invitation to forgive, to let go of the bitterness that ties us to our past, and to move forward with an open heart. True forgiveness is a spiritual practice, not something that comes easily when the offense is profound. But the Creator, in His wisdom, sees our efforts to forgive, and in return, grants us freedom from the pain we’ve been carrying. And when we ask for forgiveness from the Creator, from the universe, and from those around us how can we receive it if our own hearts are locked in resentment?
I recall a time when this lesson came to me in a very personal way. My mother had a companion who caused her a great deal of suffering. He was manipulative, deceitful, and he disrespected her in ways that broke my heart. I wanted nothing more than for him to experience the same pain he had inflicted on her. After my mother passed, this same man filed a lawsuit against me, claiming items he said belonged to him. We ended up in court, and in that moment, I wanted to expose him, to fight for the truth, and make sure he didn’t get away with his lies. But something inside me shifted, and I told the court that whatever he claimed was his, he could have. I walked out of that courtroom feeling like I had taken the high road, but the anger and resentment still simmered inside me for years afterward.
Then, one day, I was managing a building, and we had a plumbing issue that needed attention. The plumber who showed up to fix it was none other than him the very man I had harbored so much hatred for. My initial reaction was fury. I wanted to confront him, to demand answers, to finally let loose the anger I had carried for so long. But instead, I took a breath and said nothing. I simply directed him to where the plumbing issue was and walked back to my office.
In that quiet space, I began to talk to my Creator. I poured out all the anger, the hurt, the frustration I had kept buried inside. And in that moment of prayer, something profound happened: I forgave him. I didn’t do it for his sake. I did it for mine. I realized that the bitterness I was carrying was only hurting me. It wasn’t affecting him at all. So I let go, and as I did, I felt an enormous weight lift off my heart. I asked the Creator to forgive me in the same way I had forgiven this man, and in doing so, I experienced a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years.
That moment taught me a vital truth: forgiveness is not about excusing someone else’s wrongs. It’s about freeing ourselves from the poison of anger. It’s about trusting that the Creator’s justice is far more perfect and complete than anything we could ever arrange ourselves. When we forgive, we release ourselves from the burden of being judge, jury, and executioner. We trust that the universe, in its infinite wisdom, will handle those who wrong us in ways far beyond our comprehension.
Forgiveness isn’t easy. It’s not a quick fix or a one-time act. It’s a process, a spiritual practice that we must engage in daily. And the truth is, it doesn’t always feel natural at first. But with time, and with a sincere heart, it becomes a source of deep healing. The Creator knows our pain, and He asks us to trust Him enough to let go of that which binds us. He asks us to open ourselves to the flow of grace, mercy, and love that He has waiting for us. And how can we receive that grace if we’re clinging to bitterness?
As I reflect on that experience, I realize that every hurt, every betrayal, every moment of anger was an opportunity for me to grow. Those moments taught me that holding onto anger only keeps me stuck in a cycle of pain. They showed me that tit for tat is not the way forward, and that the real path to freedom lies in surrendering to the Creator’s will. He doesn’t ask us to fight every battle. He asks us to trust in His perfect plan, to forgive, and to allow His justice to prevail.
So, if you find yourself in a situation where anger seems like the only option, I encourage you to take a step back. Breathe. Reflect. And ask yourself if holding onto that anger is really serving you. Chances are, it’s not. Chances are, it’s only keeping you from the peace and love that the Creator wants to pour into your life.
Forgiveness is not weakness. It’s strength. It’s an act of love, for yourself and for those who have hurt you. And in forgiving, you’ll find a freedom unlike anything else. You’ll find that you’re no longer weighed down by the actions of others, and instead, you’re walking in alignment with the divine flow of creation. So, choose forgiveness. Choose love. And trust that the Creator is always working on your behalf, even when it feels like the world is against you.
Don't let your ego lower you into a fire 🔥.
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