By Dr. Allen Novian
Stage 2: Acknowledge the Loss and Consequences
In order to fully forgive, you need to look at the consequences of the event. By consequences, I do not mean just emotional pain. Look at the past and the present, and honestly note any changes. Were you physically injured? Were you emotionally hurt? Did you suffer financial loss? What other types of losses occurred? Was there harm to other relationships? To achieve lasting forgiveness it is important to acknowledge all the losses, otherwise forgiveness will have to be revisited. When listing the losses and consequences, try to look objectively at the incident without investing in the emotions around the losses at the time.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles, published on 09 October 2013 at FreeDigitalImages.net Stock Image - image ID: 100207187