Set Your Soul Free With The Power Of Forgiveness

I remember watching The Greatest Story Ever Told with my mum and dad when I was a little girl, way back in 1965. The film is a classic biblical epic that dramatizes the life of Jesus of Nazareth from the Nativity through to the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

For me, the most harrowing scenes were those of Jesus on the cross, praying and asking God to forgive his executioners because “they know not what they do.” As he was mocked and tortured, enduring unimaginable pain, he made this simple, yet extraordinary request.

I remember wondering: how can someone even begin to find forgiveness at such a moment? And why would Jesus want to forgive those cruel torturers at all?

For Jesus, dying was not only about salvation; it was also about demonstrating unconditional love for humanity…even for those who condemned him.

He was embodying the very teaching he had shared so many times: to love one’s enemies. His plea for mercy on behalf of his executioners remains one of the most profound examples of that teaching in action.

In this way, Jesus stands as the ultimate role model for forgiveness, tolerance and unconditional love, even in the darkest hour.

But how can we possibly follow such an example in our everyday lives? And what are the true benefits of doing so?

From a spiritual perspective, learning to forgive strengthens our relationship with God, Source, Spirit, the Divine. It aligns us more deeply with divine grace and mercy. Forgiveness helps to break cycles of resentment and fosters healthier relationships and communities.

Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness ~ Corrie Ten Boom

On a personal level, forgiveness nurtures emotional well-being by freeing us from the heavy burden of bitterness.

Thich Nhat Hanh once said that when Jesus told us to love our enemy by saying “Father, Forgive them, for they know not what they do,” he was helping us know how to look at the person we consider to be the cause of our suffering.

“If we practice looking deeply into his situation and the causes of how he came to be the way he is now, and if we visualize ourselves as being born in his condition, we may see that we could have become exactly like him. When we do that, compassion arises in us naturally, and we see that the other person is to be helped and not punished. In that moment, our angertransforms itself into the energy of compassion. Suddenly, the one we have been calling our enemy becomes our brother or sister. This is the true teaching of Jesus.”

Now, it could be argued that, since we are not almighty, forgiveness is far more difficult for us mere mortals. But history offers remarkable examples of individuals who, despite enduring unimaginable suffering, found the strength to forgive.

For example, there is Eric Lomax, a British Army officer captured by the Japanese in 1942 and brutally tortured for building a radio. Lomax suffered from PTSD for years afterwards and harboured deep hatred toward his persecutors.

Eventually, however, Lomax realised that this hatred was consuming him. It was damaging his mental health and affecting his family. Something had to change.

Many decades later, he met the guard who had been especially brutal to him. That encounter became a turning point. Lomax was able to put the past behind him, release his desire for revenge, and find inner peace.

Lomax came to understand that they had both endured profound “war damage.” Through compassion, understanding and a willingness to forgive, they discovered common ground… and even formed a friendship! It is a powerful illustration of the transformative power of forgiveness.

“By far the strongest poison to the human spirit is the inability to forgive oneself or another person. Forgiveness is no longer an option but a necessity for healing ~ Caroline Myss

Another wartime story that reveals the profound impact of forgiveness is that of Father O’Flaherty. He was an Irish priest who helped save thousands of Jews and prisoners of war during World War Two by orchestrating an underground network that enabled them to escape to freedom.

Father O’Flaherty had a very determined adversary: Colonel Kappler, who suspected the priest’s activities but could never prove them.

As Allied troops entered Rome in 1944 and the Nazi regime began to crumble, Kappler turned to Father O’Flaherty for help. During one of their conversations about ensuring his family’s safety, Kappler is said to have asked whether the priest truly believed in forgiveness. Father O’Flaherty not only affirmed that he did, he also actively helped Kappler’s wife and children flee to safety in Switzerland.

After the war, Kappler was sentenced to life imprisonment in Italy for war crimes. Remarkably, Father O’Flaherty became his only regular visitor, despite the fact that Kappler had once placed a bounty on his head and attempted to have him kidnapped and killed.

During these visits, the two men reportedly discussed literature, faith and forgiveness. Through the priest’s unwavering compassion, Kappler witnessed forgiveness in action. He later adopted the Catholic faith and was baptised by Father O’Flaherty in 1959.

So, what is the moral of these stories?

It is not that harmful actions are acceptable. Nor does forgiveness mean excusing wrong-doing or ignoring injustice. Rather, it is about recognising that while anger and the desire for revenge may feel justified, we must consider their consequences. Left unchecked, anger can harden into resentment and inner bitterness, quietly eroding our lives and relationships.

Forgiveness, on the other hand, has the power to liberate. It fosters empowerment, resilience, stronger connections and greater peace of mind. In short, the spiritual and emotional rewards of forgiving one’s enemies far outweigh the corrosive effects of hate, anger and resentment. Forgiveness does not change the past, but it can profoundly transform the future.

Thousands of women were burned at the stake on suspicion of being witches. Wouldn’t it be lovely to see a religious leader visit one of these sites and go down on his knees to ask forgiveness from the women of the world for what was done to their sisters in the name of his religion ~ John O’Donohue 

There are many soul-centered reasons to forgive those who have wronged us:

Self-Liberation: Holding onto anger binds your energy to the past. Forgiveness is not about them. It is about releasing yourself from emotional captivity.

Inner Peace: Resentment creates inner turbulence. When you forgive, your nervous system softens, your thoughts quieten, and peace has space to return.

Spiritual Connection: Unforgiveness can cloud the heart chakra and block intuitive flow. Choosing forgiveness aligns you more deeply with divine love, grace and higher wisdom.

Karmic Healing: From a spiritual perspective, resentment can perpetuate energetic cords between souls. Forgiveness severs unhealthy attachments and ends repeating soul contracts rooted in pain.

Emotional & Physical Health: Studies consistently show that chronic anger and bitterness impact stress levels, immunity and heart health. Forgiveness lightens the emotional load the body has been carrying.

Personal Power: When you remain angry, the person who hurt you still influences your emotional state. Forgiveness takes your power back and places it firmly in your own hands.

Compassion & Wisdom: Pain often expands awareness. When you forgive, you begin to understand human frailty — including your own — with greater empathy and spiritual maturity.

Healthier Relationships: Unresolved hurt can spill into future relationships. Forgiveness clears emotional residue, allowing you to connect with others without projecting past wounds.

Unconditional Love: At its highest level, forgiveness is an act of unconditional love. It does not excuse behaviour, nor deny accountability, but it chooses love over hatred. And love is the most transformative force in the universe.

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. It does not mean allowing someone to hurt you again. Boundaries and forgiveness can coexist beautifully. It simply means that you refuse to let someone else’s actions live rent-free in your soul.