Anger and Forgiveness

As I read this week’s material, something that I really noticed was the tendencies of the natural man. So often we are fighting against ourselves. I loved James E. Faust’s thoughts on forgiveness. He said “We need to recognize and acknowledge angry feelings. It will take humility to do this, but if we will get on our knees and ask Heavenly Father for a feeling of forgiveness, He will help us. The Lord requires us “to forgive all men” for our own good because “hatred retards spiritual growth.” Only as we rid ourselves of hatred and bitterness can the Lord put comfort into our hearts.”

Until we rid ourselves of the angry thoughts in our hearts, we cannot move on and have the peace that we all desire so desperately.

James E. Faust also discussed Dr. Sidney Simon thoughts on forgiveness:

“Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves.”

Think of the time, effort and energy we waste caught up in anger? It’s such a waste! If we are keeping it real here on the blog, I wasted an entire day at the cottage being angry at my spouse. I could’ve moved on and forgiven him and apologized myself, but I stewed about it the whole day and ruined our last day of real summer vacation. He had booked a really nice hotel for our anniversary without telling me and I was mad because of the cost and wanting to have a quiet evening at home. It was definitely a learning experience for me.

James E. Faust, “The Healing Power of Forgiveness” General Conference April 2007

With Suzanne Simon, Forgiveness: How to Make Peace with Your Past and Get On with Your Life (1990)