This post contains some of the best forgiving what you can’t forget quotes.
What Is True Forgiveness?
True forgiveness is a profound act of letting go of resentment, anger, and bitterness towards someone who has wronged us.
It is a way to release ourselves from the negative emotions that keep us trapped in the past and prevent us from experiencing peace and happiness in the present moment.
Forgiveness is not about forgetting or condoning what was done to us, but rather acknowledging the hurt and pain and choosing to move on without holding onto grudges.
True forgiveness requires courage, humility, and an open heart. It can be a difficult journey, but it is a necessary one for our own healing and growth.
Forgiving What You Can’t Forget Quotes
1. “My ability to heal cannot be conditional on them wanting my forgiveness but only on my willingness to give it.” ― Lysa TerKeurst
2. “Forgiveness releases these negative thoughts and emotions. Once free of them, you have greater control over your energy, thinking, and ability to make decisions that benefit yourself and others —decisions that arise out of positive emotions.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
3. “Forgiveness requires that we walk in the other’s shoes, as much as we can.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
Related: 7 Stages Of Betrayal Trauma (+7 Tips On How To Find Peace After Betrayal)
4. “Forgiveness researcher Dr. Ma James has found over decades of study that the people who are hurt the most are usually the people who are most determined to forgive.” – Faith G. Harper
5. “Forgiveness restores our faith, rebuilds our trust, and opens our hearts to the presence and power of love.” – Iyanla Vanzant
6. “Forgiveness supports our growth into a new way of thinking, being, and living.” – Iyanla Vanzant
7. “Forgiveness washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
8. “Forgiveness work has snowballing results. As long as you do your best at each stage, you will move through the process. Then all of a sudden, there will be a shift and you will let go of the upset.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
Related: How To Become A Stronger Empath? Top 20 Actionable Empathy Exercises to Become More Empathetic
9. “Forgiveness is the most powerful action you have to change relationships and heal your own life. The forgiving mindset engages tragedies and trauma at a higher level so that you can heal.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
10. “Forgiveness, then, is the hope for humankind, because forgiving readily brings the highest function of the mind and heart to the forefront, assisting us to let go of unreasonable expectations, fears, and attack. It enables us to undo the chronic primitive brain reactions, fear and fight, allowing the highest functioning of the brain to occur.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
11. “Giving people the benefit of the doubt that they are reacting situationally to the world around them, just as we are, takes the edge o the hurt they cause us.” – Faith G. Harper
12. “I think of forgiveness as a “spiritual laxative”—it eliminates long-held mental and emotional toxins.” – Iyanla Vanzant
13. “I view forgiveness as a very similar process of forward movement, backward movement, relapse, and struggle.” – Faith G. Harper
14. “I’ve seen forgiveness occur with just the release of the negative toward the person, without the positive entering, especially with victims of abuse and torture. But, you know for sure if the positive has entered that your forgiveness is complete.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
15. “If you are really paying attention and really ready to heal, the day will come when you recognize that forgiveness is the only way back to the center of your innocence.” – Iyanla Vanzant
Related: Best 21 Forgiveness Journal Prompts (+FREE Worksheets PDF)
16. “In a painful situation, forgiving is letting go of the physical or emotional debt that you expect to see paid. When you forgive, the person or group no longer owes you what you wanted them to give, understand, or experience.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
17. “In forgiveness work, don’t force yourself to let it all go if it does not seem natural. Take an emotional break before moving to the next stage or incident. Accepting where you are is central in the healing process.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
18. “In forgiveness work, there is often an emotion below anger. Changes occur by contacting that emotion, perhaps fear or grief. Likewise, where anger is not an acceptable emotion, which is more often the case for women, being aware of the anger beneath the surface might be what creates movement toward resolution of the upset.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
19. “In forgiving, people are not being asked to forget. On the contrary, it is important to remember, so that we should not let such atrocities happen again. Forgiveness does not mean condoning what has been done. It means taking what happened seriously not minimizing it; drawing out the sting in the memory that threatens our entire existence.” – Bishop Desmond Tutu
20. “In general, I have found that the most efficient tool for lowering the threshold of anger is forgiveness.” – Dr. Jim Dincalci
21. “It’s also important not to beat yourself up when you think you’re done and moving forward and you notice your anger is stirred up again.” – Faith G. Harper
Related: Forgiving Someone Who Isn’t Sorry: 9-Step Guide To Free Yourself From The Past
Why Is It Important To Forgive?
Forgiveness is a vital aspect of personal growth and emotional well-being.
It allows individuals to move forward from past hurts, freeing themselves from the burden of resentment and anger.
By forgiving, we release ourselves from the negative emotions that can consume our thoughts and contribute to stress and unhappiness.
Forgiveness is not about condoning or forgetting the actions of others but rather about granting ourselves the gift of peace and closure.
Holding onto grudges and grievances only prolongs our own suffering and hinders our ability to establish meaningful connections with others.
Furthermore, forgiving others can also have a positive impact on our physical health, as research suggests that harboring resentment can lead to increased stress levels and weakened immune system functioning.
Cultivating forgiveness requires empathy and understanding, acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes or acts out of pain and frustration at times.
How to Forgive Someone?
Forgiving someone can be a difficult and complex process. Here are some steps you can take to work towards forgiveness:
1. Acknowledge the hurt – It’s important to recognize and acknowledge the pain caused by the person who wronged you. This can help you understand why you’re struggling to forgive them.
2. Express your feelings – Share your thoughts and emotions with someone you trust, such as a therapist, friend, or family member. This can help you process your feelings and gain perspective.
3. Practice empathy – Try to see things from the other person’s point of view. This doesn’t mean you have to excuse their actions, but understanding their perspective can help you move towards forgiveness.
4. Let go of resentment – Holding onto anger and bitterness can be toxic for your mental and emotional well-being. Try to release negative thoughts and feelings towards the person who hurt you.
5. Make a conscious decision to forgive – Forgiveness is a choice that requires effort and intention. Decide to forgive the person for yourself, not for them.
6. Give it time – Forgiveness is a process, and it may take time to fully heal and let go of hurt. Be patient with yourself and continue to work towards forgiveness even if it feels difficult at times.
Remember, forgiveness is a personal choice and it’s important to prioritize your own well-being throughout the process.
If you find that forgiveness is too difficult or not possible, it’s okay to set boundaries or seek support to protect yourself from further harm.
