Forgiveness vs Reconciliation
The concepts of forgiveness and reconciliation are very important in our lives. There are many instances in our lives when we find it hard to stand the sight of those who have sinned against us or hurt us badly. We may have forgiven them yet cannot accept them back in our lives as if nothing happened in the past. Forgiving others who may have done something wrong against us is easier than reconciling with them in our lives. We say we have forgiven but continue to hold grudge against our sinners, never really reconciling with them. Understanding the differences between forgiveness and reconciliation is important to forgive wrong doers in both thought and action.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is an important tool in our hands to drop resentment or anger from our minds that we feel because of the wrong doing of others. People in our lives often do to us something what we do not like or approve. If these people happen to be our friends or relatives, we are filled with bitterness towards them. Most of us continue to hold a grudge against our sinners. However, this is not the right approach to life as we will always be full of resentment and even contemplate revenge against those who have hurt our feelings. Instead, all religions of the world teach us to forgive our sinners to rid ourselves of all the negative feelings that we can have a clean slate and move ahead in life. If someone has cheated on you, it is natural for you to hate him and feel hurt because of his act, but you can choose to forgive him and feel the difference as all your bitterness is gone instantly and you start to feel better. Once you are ready to forgive, you improve the chances of joy, peace, hope, and light to enter your life.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is forgiveness in action and behavior. Often people say that they have forgiven their sinners but continue to hold grudge against those who have been involved in wrongdoing against them. This may sound natural considering the hurt felt by the victims, but these victims have to pay dearly for holding on to grudge and resentment. It is when they clear their hearts and minds of all the colored feelings and emotions towards the sinners that they start to feel better. Forgiving in thought but not in action is incomplete forgiveness. When a victim cannot stand the sight of a sinner in his life, how can he say that he has actually forgiven the person against who he holds grudge? Of course, reconciliation is harder than forgiveness as it requires practicing what you say in words. It is easier to forgive an unfaithful spouse than to reconcile with him and accept him back in life as if nothing happened in between.
What is the difference between Forgiveness and Reconciliation?
• Forgiveness is stopping feelings of resentment and anger against our sinners or wrongdoers while reconciliation is embracing the sinners in our lives.
• Reconciliation is forgiveness in action and behavior.
• Reconciliation is harder than forgiveness.
• Reconciliation should be the goal or aim of all of us to have peace with ourselves.