How do betrayed individuals differentiate between forgiving authentically and suppressing pain?
Forgiveness is an act that involves letting go of resentment and bitterness towards someone who has hurt you. It doesn't necessarily mean condoning their actions or forgetting what they did to you.
It can be difficult for many people to know whether they are truly forgiving or just suppressing their emotions and denying themselves healing. In this article, we will explore how betrayed individuals can differentiate between authentic forgiveness and suppressing pain.
Authentic forgiveness requires acknowledging your feelings and allowing yourself to process them fully. This means being honest about your emotions without feeling ashamed or guilty. You need to give yourself time and space to work through the pain, anger, and sadness caused by the betrayal. Once you have allowed yourself to feel these emotions, you can start working on letting go of them. Forgiveness also means understanding why the person betrayed you and recognizing that everyone makes mistakes.
Suppression involves pushing down your negative feelings in order to appear "strong" or avoid dealing with them altogether. This often leads to repressed emotions that manifest as physical symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or insomnia. Suppressing pain can also lead to a lack of trust in others and difficulty forming healthy relationships.
It prevents you from moving forward and finding closure.
To determine if you are truly forgiving, ask yourself these questions: Do I still feel angry or upset when thinking about the betrayal? Have I been able to accept the reality of what happened? Am I willing to let go of my resentment? If you answered no to any of these questions, you may not be fully forgiving but instead using suppression as a way to cope.
It's important to remember that forgiveness is a journey, and it takes time and effort. Don't rush the process or expect instant results. Seek support from loved ones, therapists, or support groups who can help you navigate this difficult period.
Authentic forgiveness requires honesty, vulnerability, and self-compassion - qualities that will benefit both you and your relationship with the betrayer.
How do betrayed individuals differentiate between forgiving authentically and suppressing pain?
Authentic forgiveness involves being able to recognize the harm that has been done by someone else, accept it, acknowledge the feelings of hurt and anger, and then make an intentional decision not to hold onto resentment or desire for revenge (Kurtz & Kralik, 2017). Suppressing one's own pain, on the other hand, is often used as a strategy to avoid dealing with difficult emotions.