Forgiving vs Forgetting
Although forgiving and forgetting may seem similar, there is a significant difference between the two. In reconciliation, we use the terms forgetting and forgiving. Forgiving involves learning to stop feeling angry and holding resentment towards someone who has wronged us. Conversely, forgetting is when we decide to suppress what happened and move on. This highlights that forgiving is the superior option compared to forgetting, as it allows the person to heal completely. This article will help us understand the process of forgiving and forgetting, and explore the contrasts between the two terms.
What does Forgiving mean?
Forgiving is defined as ceasing to feel anger and resentment towards another person. This is not an easy thing to do. Unlike in the case of forgetting, where you simply repress and move on, forgiving requires addressing the situation. The person must learn to accept the event and find peace within themselves. This doesn’t usually happen overnight, as it takes time and patience. However, it allows the person to continue the relationship without ending it. For example, imagine two friends: the one who was wronged by the other will eventually learn to forgive their friend. This can be achieved by discussing the issue with the other person, allowing them to vent their emotions. Different individuals use different strategies to cope with such situations. Forgiving can be considered a healing process, as it enables the individual to understand their emotions and deal with them. This is a healthy way of maintaining relationships.
What does Forgetting mean?
On the other hand, forgetting refers to the inability to remember. But when comparing it with the word ‘forgiving,’ this is a deliberate attempt made by the individual. Imagine a student who forgets a part of a lesson; this is not a deliberate attempt to forget. However, in this context, the individual willingly makes an effort to forget something so that they can move on. In this sense, it is merely a repression of an event. For example, imagine a couple who goes through a challenging time where trust between them is shattered. The person who was wronged feels betrayed and hurt but decides to forget and start afresh for the sake of the relationship. The person does not forgive the other but merely forgets the incident. The downside of this process is that if a similar event occurs, all the repressed feelings of anger, betrayal, and hurt resurface, causing the individual to experience emotional turmoil.
What is the difference between Forgiving and Forgetting?
• Forgiving is learning to stop feeling angry and harboring resentment towards someone who wronged us, whereas forgetting is when we decide to suppress what happened and move on.
• Forgiving is a healthy way of dealing with issues, unlike forgetting.
• Forgiving is the process of healing, whereas forgetting is a process of repressing one’s emotions.
Key Takeaways
- Forgiving involves ceasing to feel anger and resentment, while forgetting is a deliberate attempt to suppress an event and move on.
- Forgiving is a healthy way of maintaining relationships and allows for healing, whereas forgetting involves the repression of emotions, which can lead to emotional turmoil.
- The process of forgiving requires addressing and accepting the situation, while forgetting avoids confronting the issue.
