I've lurked here but just registered yesterday. This thread is so awesome to read! You guys seem truly interested in looking hard at the truth, which I'm finding out not everyone wants to do.
As for the forgiveness issue, I can't agree strongly enough - it's tough! I've always found that forgiving myself can be one of the hardest things to do. but it's so important to forgive yourself for your mistakes - even if other people aren't ready to forgive you yet.
but it's also so important to forgive others. If you carry all the anger around or waste your time waiting for an apology or explanation that might not come, it's not them that you're hurting but yourself. It doesn't mean saying whatever they did was OK, but we do have to try to let it go for ourselves.
I hope this makes sense. I'm pretty new to this.
God, please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
