(This post is part of 30 Days of Truth: Something You Need To Forgive Someone For)

The anger goes away, after awhile. It’s replaced by a numbness, a little blank space that your mind naturally slips over any time it comes close to it. But like a phantom limb, you’re always aware that it’s there, at least subconsciously.That little place of anger or hurt or resentment takes up emotional energy, preventing you from feeling the full bounty of love and happiness and contentment that you could feel.

Now and then your mind isn’t as diligent as usual, and you let yourself think about the hurt. Your body reacts automatically, the animal nature coming through. Your heart starts to race, your breath comes faster: adrenaline is coursing through your veins against your will. If the hurt was especially bad, you might feel tears forming behind your eyes. Maybe they don’t manifest, but you feel that burning and swelling and you know what it means. You want to forgive, you want to forget. But how can you, when this emotional response is still there, after all these years?

Forgiveness is a complex beast. Continue reading »