If you’re wondering whether forgiving someone means that you must have them in your life, be assured that forgiveness does not require reconnection. So, do you want to know why? Here are the reasons that you can forgive someone without allowing them into your life.
Just because you forgive someone doesn’t mean you must continue to keep in contact with them.
Therefore, in this post, you will learn that it’s okay to forgive and continue to keep the transgressor at arms length.
Once you learn that forgiveness does not require reconnection, there will no longer be any confusion on the requirements of forgiveness. Therefore, you will no longer feel guilty about not associating with the transgressor.
The purpose of this post is to re-assure you that forgiveness does not require reconnection so that you can feel better about keeping your distance from someone you don’t trust.
Forgiveness does not require reconnection
However, forgiveness is still necessary for you to live a happy life after bullying.
The Importance of Forgiveness
Forgiving your bullies and anyone who’s ever wronged you isn’t easy, but it’s the most important thing you can do for yourself.
I know, I know! I can practically hear the groans of dread and scoffs coming from a few already. To be honest, I once had the same attitude myself anytime someone advised me to forgive. I wasn’t ready to because I hadn’t healed yet.
Therefore, you need time to process the abuse you suffered and heal before you can forgive. And only you can know when you’re ready.
Understand that forgiveness doesn’t mean that the transgression they committed against you is okay. Moreover, it does it mean that you have to buddy up with the person who wronged you.
However, when you’re ready to forgive, it will only benefit you, not your attacker.
Forgiveness does not require reconnection but It’s a must for empowerment.
Forgiveness is a must! It is a prerequisite for re-empowerment and happiness.
To forgive is not about letting anyone off the hook; it’s about setting yourself free from the toxic feelings of anger and hate, which can only hold you back.
Therefore, this message is for targets of bullying today and for survivors of bullying. Forgive them when you’re ready.
I can tell you that for me, the ability to forgive was like a huge weight that was lifted off of my shoulders. There’s truly no better feeling!
Anytime you hold on to grudges and hate for a person, that individual controls you whether you realize it or not. Although, they may have exerted control over the years they bullied you, you don’t have to let them control the rest of your life.
In other words, holding onto and carrying around anger and hate doesn’t hurt the person it’s aimed at. It hurts you.
Why? Because the people you hate and hold grudges against either don’t know about it, or they don’t care.
Therefore, while you’re sitting around stewing over someone who did you wrong, that person could care less. They’re going on with their lives and not giving you so much as a thought.
So, why should you allow them to take up space in your mind?
Forgiveness is the only solution to this problem. It’s the only way that you will be able to take back control of your life.
Put another way, if you want to be happy, successful, and live in peace, forgive the people who wronged you. It’s the only way!
Forgiveness does not require reconnection:
You must heal before you can forgive
I understand because I’ve been there. People do things to you that is so bad that it sometimes takes years to forgive them. It’s why many people don’t go to their class reunions, company outings and even family reunions.
When someone severely wrongs you, you don’t desire to see their face. You’re just damn glad they’re out of your life and you just want to forget them.
When bullies have targeted you, it’s only natural to feel anger, resentment, and disgust toward them. Therefore, to heal, you must allow yourself to feel the pain and raw emotions.
In other words, never bury the pain. Never keep it stuffed down inside because you’re afraid to make anyone angry or uncomfortable.
Why? Because it will only fester if you do. You will only internalize everything you’ve been through.
Moreover, all that toxicity will come out sooner or later in either destructive rage or physical illness, such as a heart attack or stroke.
So, take your time and feel your emotions as long as you need to. Just don’t stay in that dark place for long. Don’t set up your tent and live there!
Forgiveness does not require reconnection nor does it mean you can’t speak out about the abuse.
Be open about your anger and talk to a friend, family member, or therapist. Tell them you’re pissed. Speak out about the abuse.
Whatever you do, get it out! And realize there will be people who won’t like it.
Understand that, in this world, there are people who won’t mind wiping their feet all over you but will be greatly offended when you become angry about it and talk about it, or worse, tell them a thing or two!
There will be people who expect you to be okay with something they know good and well they wouldn’t be okay with if it were done to them.
The path to forgiving is letting it all out.
Therefore, tell those people to get lost because they don’t matter. What matters is that you care for yourself and put yourself first.
Why should you give a crap about their feelings? They never cared about yours. So, never let others make you feel guilty for speaking out and responding in kind!
Tell them how you feel and let it out. But do it constructively. Put some bass in your voice. Be firm, but don’t yell. A certain amount of cursing is expected when you’re pushed too far.
But don’t drop any F-bombs. Raise your voice if you need to, but don’t scream and yell. Screaming and yelling will only incite toxic people to push your buttons to see you react, then tell anyone who’ll listen that you’re “mentally unstable.”
Go somewhere private and cry if you need to. Crying doesn’t mean that you’re weak. It means that you’re a human being with feelings.
Do whatever you must do to get it off your chest. Why? Because the sooner you can process those bad feelings, the sooner you can forgive and move on to a better life.
Once you get it all out, you will heal. Then, once you heal, you will be able to forgive. As a result, you’ll find a peace you’ve never known.
Moreover, you can find outlets for it through things like writing books and blogs, music, art, and other creative works. During constructive things like these will give you closure
Forgiveness does not require reconnection.
In other words, it doesn’t mean you must let them back into your life. Why? Because some people will never be worthy of your trust.
Again, healthy, forgiveness doesn’t mean you think what they did to you was okay. Far from it. What it means is that you refuse to let those who transgressed against you set up camp in your mind.
It means that you refuse to hold onto grudges that may block you from your rightful blessings. In this, you make room for growth and success.
However, too may people think that forgiveness means that you must become buddy-buddy with the person. They then wonder why they keep getting hurt.
Realize that bullies only see forgiveness as a weakness and stupidity. They view forgiveness as a green light to continue their abuse.
Understand that some people think that forgiveness means that you’re okay with it and always will be.
Therefore, you must realize that forgiveness doesn’t obligate you to interact with the person who did you wrong. Moreover, it doesn’t mean you continue to be someone’s fool.
You can forgive someone and still realize that they’re no good. Toxic people are dead weight and, though you may forgive them, you realize that it’s still best to keep them at arm’s length.
You’re strong enough to forgive but wise enough to avoid toxic people.
You avoid them because you realize that these people will only take your forgiveness for foolishness. Therefore, because they have a history of pushing your boundaries, you’re forgiving, yet assertive.
Forgiveness is great because it gives you peace of mind. Moreover, you’re doing what God commands you to do. Besides, how can God forgive us of our trespasses against Him if we don’t first forgive others of their wrongs against us?
Forgive, but forgive wisely. If you continue to allow these people to have a place in your life, they will only continue to take advantage of you.
You don’t have to be mean to or mistreat them but there’s no law that says you have to trust them again. It’s better that you don’t trust them.
Some people you must forgive from afar.
This post is here to assure you that forgiveness does not require reconnection in some situations and with some people.
Related posts you’ll enjoy:
1. Be Happy Be Yourself: 3 Benefits You Reap When You Stop Caring What Others Think
2. Putting Yourself First: 7 Powerful Self-Care Practices
3. Defending Yourself from Bullies: 11 Best Defenses
4. How to Defend Yourself from Bullies: 5 Powerful Strategies
5. Bullying and Self Confidence: 7 Steps to Keeping Your Confidence Up When People Bully You
6. Knowing Yourself: Why it’s the First Step in Building Confidence
