How do you know if you have forgiven someone?

tough question.

maybe when it no longer hurts inside when you think about it

maybe when it no longer crosses your mind

maybe you *have* forgiven, but in the imperfect world, it will take a bit of self-growth before you can be comfortable with it.

c'grats on taking the first step.

it's a good sign

Forgiveness comes when it is not your hurt you focus on, but it is your understanding of someone Else's hurt or circumstances that made them do what they did. It is ability to not only have compassion for yourself as a child but for the other person as well. having compassion does not mean you drag around hurt and want to make the person apologize or even talk about. The reality of it is, forgiveness comes when the person that you see before no longer reminds of what they did in your past. Forgiveness is being able to be thankful for even the worst experience recognizing without it you could not be who you are. Forgiving them releases you from being handcuffed to them adn allows you to live and be happy.

Well, in this case, it's not just SAYING it; there's a process you need to go through of coming to grips with it, before you're in a postition to forgive and move on.

When you really have, you'll know.

Seek professional help; it's not the sort of thing you can just "do" like deciding to order a pizza.

If you don't go through the process, the effects of your experiences will bit you on the backside.

some times we forgive them over and over

im still forgiving an ex for 20 years

my wife now can forgive people horrible things

but gets mad at me for little things

i think that its imporant to be realistic about forgiving

people who have hurt us , and not duck the issues

because it sets up bitterness that goes unresolved

never pretend that those who abused and hurt us is eternaly forgiven, your not god and neither am i,

its a one day at a time mentality

you have to choose every day to forgive them

untill its a habit that you have programed into your mind yourself

then you start to forget and your are over it for a while

but you haved trimmed the weed of bitternes untill it dies

then when you remember 20 years later it is a natural habit

to forgive anew

thats my best try

If there is anger, bitterness or resentment in your heart about someone or something, then you have unforgiveness. I'm sorry for your childhood situation, whatever it may have been, you didn't deserve it. Put it into God's hands and trust that He'll help you to forgive.

Blessings.

your gonna need a counsler to help you learn to re-direct your thinking. a good sign that you have forgiven is when you no

longer dwell on what happened to you.

it takes alot of time though...

it is said that "to forgive is not to forget but rather to remember without bitterness." it's hard to let go sometimes but you just gotta otherwise it will weigh you down! good luck to you.

If you harbor any wrath (desire for revenge) toward them in your heart, you have not forgiven them.

By laughing at the situation and being O.K. with them.

All I will say is -- The truth shall set you free...!