Welcome to our student sermon page.
Enjoy the inspirational words from our student ministers.
The following is a Sermon by a student of Reverend Ann Otzelberger, NST.
"FORGIVENESS"
By Laura C. Chase
Everyone has at some time held a feeling of anger, a thought of revenge, a feeling of intolerance, or a thought of criticism for another person. Our feelings seem very justified, we were hurt. "They" should pay for our hurt. But we are Spiritualists! We don't strike out physically. We are aware of natural laws. Revenge brings pain. But we can thinink about how we might get even. Against our better judgement and spiritual will, we ruminate on our resentment. This is a misuse of the Law of Thought.
In Reverend Ann's book on natural law, she states this about the Law of Thought, "Positive creative thoughts create higher vibrations while the negative thoughts create lower vibrations." We know that trying to actualize only positive creative thoughts when we feel we have been wronged is hard.
The problem with these negative thoughts and feelings is this: the person who thinks or feels this way hurts themselves by holding onto the resentments. Holding onto resentments is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die.
Forgiveness is defined as the act of forgiving someone or something and as the attitude of someone who is willing to forgive. Forgiveness is the attitude of mercy, leniency, and absolution.
Forgiveness is not necessarily forgetting, but a refusal to continue to perseverate, reminate on what has offended us, hurt us, or made us angry. The ability to forgive requires an openness, a willingness to let go. Forgiveness requires use of the Law of Vibration. To quote Reverend Ann, "This Law teaches that all things in the universe are in a state of motion called vibration, a productive or non-productive situation, through the way we think." We come to learn that thoughts are things.
I had the opportunity to practice forgiveness last year due to some falshoods that were spread about me by my neighbors. I felt defensive, angry, and treated unjustly. They do not know me and had not taken the time to get to know me. They responded out of their own fear, anxiety, and false thinking. I could not cast aside my feelings. I needed first to see all of my feelings, I just needed NOT to act out my feelings. I imagined a meteor falling just so on top of one of their houses. Then I reallized that was expecting a lot from Spirit and it might just land on my house!
I knew that I was the one who needed to practice forgiveness in order to maintain my connection with Spirit. I knew that if I held onto my negativity, I would be the one who would suffer most. Angry resentment blocks Spirit's love and light.
I like Louise Hay's work on affirmations and have used them to good effect. I have also used Catherine Ponder's works on prayer. When I need to forgive someone I visualize them, neutral, open to being released from our drama and i say, repeatedly,
"I fully and freely forgive you. I loose you and let you go. You move on to your highest good as do I. I fully and freely forgive you. You are free and I am free. You move on to your highest good as do I."
In prayer, I visualize the person surrounded by light. I pray all good comes to them and that they receive everything they need in full measure. Notice I did not say everything they deserve. Because when I really mean to forgive someone I must give up ALL snarkiness or unconscious ill will, no matter what residual negative feelings I may have about what they said or did. The act of forgiving through affirmation and prayer breaks apart the residual negative feelingts. I force my thoughts onto a positive track. I do this for one week, or for a month if the relationship was a long one.
Forgiveness comes after a process which develops the attitude of willingness to be truly forgiving. I must forgive others because I want to be free. I want forgiveness for judging them, for criticinzing them, for renting space for them in my head. The act of forgiveness will happen, but to attempt to act prematurely just does not work. I need to know exactly for what I am forgiving them and myself. This takes time. Feelings may re-emerge. I take my own hand to my heart and speak soothing words of understanding. "Of course it hurts. Of course, they don't know what a good person you are. It's okay. I am safe." Then I set my mind on forgiving the other. It is hard work.
I must forgive others, for my sake. Is that selfish? No. I raise my vibration, and, change my thinking. When I do not feed into another person's negativity, I release us both. I have found forgiveness and excellent way to live a happier life. It is hard work, but it is worth it. Staying connected with Spirit is more important and as a Spiritualist I know that.
