Forgiveness for inner peace

That person that hurt you today can be your savior tomorrow

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Tears flow down my cheeks each time I remember I have to forgive. Forgiveness is so painful and difficult. It was 15 years of our friendship yet, I was still betrayed by my own best friend who I consider my brother from another mother.

It all started when we both gained admission into the university, we cared and looked out for each other. We shared secrets, ate together, and did lots of things together as brothers.

Things moved smoothly together for the both of us till when we had a misunderstanding and his character and attitude towards me changed entirely. I thought it was one of those things that came up among friends and I believed that he would come around soon.

But it wasn't so. He developed a strong sense of hatred toward me and despised everything I did. I was sad and asked him what the problem was, but he bluntly refused to open up to me and this went on for a couple of months.

To cut the long story short, I realized he was jealous of me because of my grades at school and he poisoned my food which landed me in the hospital for weeks. I missed my exams and I had to spend extra to retake them.

When I realized she was the one behind the scenes, I cried so much and couldn't believe he could do such a thing to me forgetting the fact that we are more than just friends.

Furthermore, after I was discharged from the hospital, I relocated to a new apartment, I avoided him and vowed never to forgive or come close to him.

As time went by, I realized I was no longer doing well in my academics, and each time I set my eyes on him, fear gripped me and I was never free with myself. I confided in my parents and told them all that happened and they advised me to forgive him so that I could have a clear conscience and peace of mind.

It wasn't easy for me at all, I felt so much pain each time I remembered what he did. I kept asking myself a series of questions like, how can I forgive him? Can I still forgive and forget? Can someone who went as far as poisoning me be forgiven?

Days passed, still pondering on those questions, and then I decided to forgive him, not because I wanted to, but because I had to have peace of mind. I forgave him even before he asked for my forgiveness.

Moreso this experience of my life made me understand that forgiveness is a gradual process that will sincerely start from the heart. I wasn't feeling comfortable harbouring heal feelings, and my heart was telling me to let go.

Forgiveness is genuine, sincere, and wholehearted. It wasn't easy for me to forgive because a friend whom I call my brother betrayed my trust and it hurts a lot. I also understood that we live in a world where we have to inevitably associate, socialize, and even with lots of offenses and betrayals mostly from your trusted friends or companions.

Forgiveness makes a man free and it is sweet and faster when both parties are ready to embrace peace. Sometimes, it is the offended that goes to the betrayer to let peace reign, but that does not make the offended a coward, but just someone with wisdom to understand what forgiveness is and how it feels.

However, forgiveness and peace are intertwined. Anyone who refuses to forgive will always lack peace of mind. Even the holy book says to forgive one another as God has forgiven us.

Unforgiveness breeds restlessness and fear. Fear of what his opponent is thinking and planning against him.

Unforgiveness mars friendship. Offenses and problems must surely come, but when we forgive, we build a stronger relationship with others.

In conclusion, forgiveness frees one's heart, it is a spiritual therapy that brings physical healing. Forgiveness donates more years to life.

The path of forgiveness entrenches the atmosphere of peace and joy. Unforgiveness brings fear, struggles, restlessness, and bondage. We should learn to forgive those who tend to hurt us, to promote peace and love with ourselves and others.