...professionally. According to McMinn (2011) there are three essential categories that must be considered within counseling; psychology, theology, and spirituality. To incorporate the three categories, the book down into further sections including prayer, scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption including “what if” sections with descriptions of circumstances and the corresponding results, what works and what doesn’t within the sessions. By beginning with an active and healthy prayer life personally, the counselor is able to pray for the client both inside of and outside of the counseling sessions. McMinn (2011) discusses the importance of ethical issues of using prayer which is the source of growth in spiritual lives, promoting a relationship with God rather than promoting health. According to McMinn (2011) prayer must only be used after consent given and the potential effects considered as some forms of prayer may be detrimental to the client. Scripture use within counseling can be considered a self-help book enabling personality and behavioral changes. McMinn (2011) discusses the use of Scripture to support many forms of cognitive therapy including rational-emotive therapy (RET). These theories are based on what one thinks which is then supported by Bible Scripture and stories. Respect for the interpretation of others must be remembered with the use of Scripture within counseling. McMinn (2011) describes the “chicken or the egg” within Scripture as...
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...Does rumination hinder forgiveness in the context of an interpersonal transgression? Forgiveness theory has been widely researched in the social psychology arena in recent years. The role of rumination in forgiveness has received much attention, with several important studies by prominent researchers attempting to measure its effect. A dominant theoretical perspective on the relationship between rumination and forgiveness in the literature suggests that rumination is detrimental to forgiveness, and that changes in rumination are the antecedent to changes in forgiveness. This paper outlines the prevailing theoretical perspectives on this relationship and presents a critical analysis of a selection of influential studies and their conclusions. An alternative theoretical perspective is introduced and some limitations of the current studies, as well as suggestions for further research, are made. In order to understand the relationship between rumination and forgiveness, these terms need to be defined. Whilst no single agreed upon definition exists, there are a set of common elements that underlie these constructs. Rumination can be broadly described as a cognitive process involving conscious repetitive thoughts which revolve around a common theme, and are present even in the absence of immediate environmental demands requiring those thoughts (Martin & Tesser, 1996). Nolen-Hoeksema, Wisco and Lyubomirsky (2008) conceptualise rumination as a way of responding to distress involving...
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...Abstract This paper provides an overview of ‘discipleship counseling,’ a philosophy of counseling articulated by Neil T. Anderson in his 2003 book of the same name. In the field of Christian Counseling there is a need for mixing secular psychiatric science and theological teaching. The first point addresses in Dr Neil T. Anderson book is that Christians are hurting for their lack of understanding of who they are in Christ. In the second point in this paper addresses the organizational structure of discipleship counseling that must be met. Finally barriers the counselee must overcome to experience true freedom, which is only found in Christ. Introduction Religion and psychology have often been viewed as incompatible. However, Christian counseling attempts to integrate the two in a meaningful fashion, so that clients are healed from their personal traumas while they become spiritually reborn in their connection to Christ. According to Dr. Neil T. Anderson's (2003) Discipleship counseling, God is the unspoken presence within every counseling relationship. The counselor does not have to consciously and constantly invoke God, and may choose not to do so because of the immediate needs or personality of the patient. But the sense that there is a higher power that is bigger than the self is always present. The therapist must realize that he or she is not God and do the work of the creator; he is merely a facilitator...
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...ENABLING FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION IN FAMILY THERAPY Interpersonal conflicts are almost inevitable within families. The closeness and intensity of family relationships along with differences among family members in knowledge, desires, values, abilities, etc., account for much of this turmoil. Family members are often deeply hurt in the course of their conflicts and sometimes there is a significant breach of trust, Occasionally a family member will consider a certain offence unforgivable and will not seek reconciliation. Usually, however, family members try to recover a sense of personal and relationship wellbeing by endeavoring to forgive and reconcile. This can be a long and arduous process. Therapists are often consulted to facilitate such healing. My purpose in writing this paper is to share my understanding of some of the complexities involved. The perspective that I adopt is a social constructionist or ‘bringforthist’ stance. I assume that through caring conversation, it. is possible to bring forth preferred ways of thinking and interacting that can lead to forgiveness and reconciliation. MUTUAL HURTS The duration and effects of any particular conflict between family members depends on how differences are managed in the nuances of ongoing family interaction: Conflicts vary from brief disagreements that are hardly noticeable, to extremely destructive emotional and physical battles that last for years. During any major episode of conflict, all parties involved tend...
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...In a perfect Utopia world, humans are born without flaws and live in a perfect world. How awesome would it be to live in a place where no hurt is present and forgiveness is unnecessary? Sounds like Heaven right? However, the act to forgive is one of the most challenging aspects of human life. It is difficult to display the act of forgiveness, especially when pain and pride is at the center of one’s heart. Often times, this act can be taken as weakness rather than strength. The Merriam- Webster definition for forgive is “to stop feeling angry or resentful toward an individual for an offense, flaw, or mistake”. This Journal Article Review will discuss intervention studies on forgiveness and obtain the following sections: summary, reflection, and application. It will also highlight forgiveness case studies and define forgiveness according to findings within the research analysis. The quote “Forgive, but never forget” is an oxymoron...
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...invocation coming from Colossians 3:12-17. The service proceeded with Aretha Wilson. Soon after a group called "M.A.S.K" graced the stage with their praise dances. My spirits were uplifted. The freshman members of Concert Chorale came onstage to sing "Speak to my Heart". The leader of the chorale discussed how his grandmother had recently passed and the song related to him. The speaker was Hakeem Lewis. He is the Vice President for Advancement. His job is to get money for the school. The speaker asked us "What would we do if God offered us a divine apology?" He also mentioned that we need to forgive because it is the center of everything we do. I was inspired by the quote Mr.. Lewis mentioned. "Generational curse doesn't exist if generation forgiveness does." It is imperative that we forgive....
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...“THE PRODIGAL SON Luke 15:11-32 In the New Testament, there is a parable entitled “the lost son”. In this passage we begin to learn and understand the compassion and care that the Father feels for us, his sheep. We also get insight on the awakening that happens with the son. The parable of “the lost son” was written in the book of Luke. Although we don’t officially know who wrote this book it is believed to have been written by Luke which was a friend and close follower of Paul. The book of Luke gives us different details on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Included are numerous places he traveled and parables he used in which to get a lesson learned. It is also believed that Luke was written in the latter part of the first century, somewhere around Ephesus or Smyrna. This is important because it allows us to know the culture and geographical location in which Luke may have been influenced by in his writings and or interpretations of the teachings. There are a couple of words that are significant in this particular passage. These are lost and found. The denotation of the word lost is no longer in possession of; or the one I like to use is beyond reach, communication, or influence. This is important because it makes us aware of the state in which his son had been in for the last few years. The other is found, and its meaning is to bring into being, set up...
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...before Joseph, who was governor of the land. He knew who his brothers were immediately, although did not reveal his identity. He acted as a stranger to show his brothers that he was truly a better person. They were allowed to buy grain, and he provided provisions for their journey and refurbished their money. This shows that he sought to show his brothers forgiveness them for mistreating him so. He accused his brothers of being spies, by bringing Benjamin to Egypt, it showed he that his brothers in fact did not recognize him and were not there to spy or harm him again. This is important because Benjamin was a favored child, such as Joseph. The moral of the story is all about forgiveness. God put Joseph through many struggles; his brothers leaving him in the pit, being sold into slavery, accused of lying with Potiphar’s wife, imprisonment and being forgotten by the butler. Each of these happenings could have caused Joseph to become pessimistic, unforgiving and possibly evil; although Joseph had God with him through all his strife, the narrartor tell us.. God had a plan for Joseph to triumph all negative things and show forgiveness and spread it through his story. He believes that God’s plan eventually led him to saving his brothers lives. If not for all the bad things that happened to Joseph, his brothers may not have been granted grain during the famine. There would have been another person in charge instead of Joseph being there that denied the brothers and surely they would have...
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...the solid earth, everything grows very quiet. All look at the lumberjack, who killed this tree, and find him weeping in sorrow. This situation is not uncommon when dealing with Nature. Nature, as simple as it seems to some, generates great power. This power is sent to us, as nature forgives only after a physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" helps implement all these teachings together. In current times, this power continues to teach us of forgiveness. With physical suffering, the power of nature shows us forgiveness many ways. In the story, the mariner betrays nature: "I shot the Albatross!" This action against nature is rather extreme, for he takes lightly to this thought of death. The Albatross, as a representative of nature, means nothing to the Mariner. These thoughts are quickly changed, though, as Nature begins to start the penance leading towards forgiveness - "Water, water, everywhere nor any drop to drink." When "the mariner begins to find his salvation when he begins to look on the 'slimy things' as creatures of strange beauty" (Fraser 203), he understands the Albatross was a symbol of nature and he realized what he had done wrong. The mariner is forgiven after sufficient penance - "We could not speak" - is performed by Nature. Nature shows us more strength as we realize that people of today often can not forgive someone who has shot...
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...Forgiveness Forgiving someone who you believe has done wrong to you is a very difficult thing to do. Some people live their entire lives unwilling and unable to forgive someone else and carrying this burden on their shoulder all through their lives. For some, a grudge rakes place when you focus on the bad things that you think has happened to you. For others, a grudge is silent and you think you’re over it, but then you discover you still haven’t forgiven the other person. The only person being hurt by you not being able to forgive is YOU. Often, the other person doesn’t even realize you have these bad feelings because, they think everything is okay between the two of you. With that being said forgiving someone is hard but, if you do things between you and that person would become much better. Forgiveness is the key to life. It is very important to forgive someone no matter what they have done to you in the past. If you haven’t forgiven someone they tend to be on your mind a lot or either the situation that may have took place. Many people go on with their lives knowing that they haven’t forgiven someone and the guilt tends to eat them alive. You would also feel even terrible if the person whom you haven’t forgave passes away. The most important thing is too forgive once you forgive you will be able to finally move forward in your own life. You’ll feel as though a huge weight and burden has been lifted off of your shoulders. While forgiveness may not always be easy, it is...
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...thought to be grouped together because they show two contrasting sides of servitude. Other examples lie behind Miranda and Ferdinand's "love at first sight", as well as the forgiveness that Alonso, Antonio, and Prospero receive. Each grouping of characters is placed strategically throughout the play by Shakespeare to exemplify different themes. Ariel and Caliban are both under Prospero's servitude, and are actually foils for one another. However, while Ariel abides by Prospero's rules willingly, Caliban only serves Prospero out of fear. They are both obligated to serve Prospero and do his bidding, but while Caliban is only trusted to do the simplest of tasks, Ariel is the equivalent to Prospero's second in command. He is constantly a major aide in Prospero's grand plan, and he is privy to Prospero's secrets. "All hail great master! Grave sir, hail! I come to answer thy best pleasure,"(Shakespeare 14). Ariel says this to his master, living with the hope of soon being free. He could behave as Caliban, but Ariel is trusted enough to help Prospero complete his master plan. Ariel even influences Prospero's decision on whether to forgive the ones who have wronged him. At the end of the play, Prospero's other servant Caliban, turns out to be one of the ones who have wronged Prospero, and he himself begs for forgiveness. Caliban is described as "a born devil on whose nature, nurture can never stick,"(Shakespeare 71). His solitude had been interrupted years ago, when Prospero and Miranda...
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...Forgiveness is a necessary part of human existence, although it is hard to forgive others, and sometimes harder to give to ourselves. The Kite Runner is full of examples of forgiveness between people, with themselves. Baba forgives Hassan, Hassan forgives easily, and Amir is unable to forgive himself but throughout the book the readers saw the travel of Amir how he forgive himself. The opening sentence sets this theme with "I became what I am today at the age of twelve," as Amir relates how he believes one action at that young age defined his entire life. However, as the novel progresses, the reader comes to the conclusion that it was not one action, but a series of choices and events that created Amir's persona as an adult. By holding onto his guilt and fear of discovery, Amir could only bury his past for short periods of time before his own conscience uncovered it and the emotional baggage attached. Throughout the course of Amir's life, he made choices based on jealousy, fear, and guilt, and thus allowed his life to be immersed in regret and shame until he finally allowed himself redemption. Baba first demonstrates forgiveness when he pardons Hassan for stealing Amir's money and watch (even though Hassan didn't actually steal it). Baba is unaware that Amir was only framing Hassan for stealing his money and watch. Baba asks, "Did you steal that money? Did you steal Amir's watch, Hassan?" Hassan responded, "Yes." By Hassan taking the blame of stealing Amir's belongings, he...
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...“Where there is no repentance there can be no remission.” In church, the pastor always tells the people to repent or turn away from sin and God will forgive you. Then I‘ve always heard people say “If you’re truly sorry for your sins, God will forgive you.” So from putting these two things together, I’ve always understood the word repent to mean “say I’m sorry.” As I was listening to a Lauryn Hill song, I heard the sentence “Where there is no repentance there can be no remission.” For some reason, even though I’ve listened to the song many times, that sentence really stuck out today. So I wrote it down, and while looking at it I decided to break it down further. I looked up the words repentance and remission in the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. What surprised me was that the definition of the word repent has nothing to do with saying or even being “sorry.” So I realized no matter how many times I tell God I’m sorry, it will never make a difference if I don’t know what it means to truly repent. Repent does, however, mean; to turn away from sin and resolve to reform one’s life. To further break it down, I looked up the words resolve and reform. Resolve means “to determine; decide.” Reform, however, has many definitions applicable to the word repent; 1). To make better or improve by removal of faults. 2).To correct or improve one’s own character or habits. 3). Improvement or correction of what is corrupt or defective. So from this analysis of the word repent, I have...
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...up for trash. While at the hospital, he meets a dying Nazi soldier, by the name of Karl. He listens to his story about what he has done to Jews, the people he’s killed, and his mother. They later have a unique connection with each other. Although, when he’s done telling his story, he asks Wiesenthal for forgiveness and ends up passing away. Wiesenthal remains silent, but later questions himself about his experience whether or not he should have accepted his apology. If I were in his situation, I would have not remained silent and forgave the Nazi soldier because he was not promoting any action of hate, rather than forgiveness, my moral values, and my own experiences. A writer that does not reflect my point of view is Herbert Marcuse. Marcuse states that Wiesenthal should not have forgiven the soldier because it perpetuates the crime. I do not agree with his view completely because in this case, the entire government was promoting evil and majority of people were brainwashed. Also Karl was a growing up child and comprehended the propaganda from a very early age. He was not trying to promote any type of war, but rather forgiveness. For example, when he had asked for forgiveness, Wiesenthal had second thoughts after he had remained silent. “Had a doctor entered the room with a miracle drug that would have restored this young man to full vigor, would he have remained weighed down with guilt? And had the German Army then offered him whatever was the Nazi equivalent to a Purple Heart...
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...Abstract The nature of forgiveness is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. After experiencing organizational damage, trauma, or injustice, one challenge facing leaders is to help the organization heal, restore positive energy, and enhance resiliency. Fostering forgiveness is one effective mechanism for achieving those outcomes. This paper illustrates how justice and forgiveness was analyzed within my workforce and implications established to eliminate the issue from reoccurring. Primary focus will be on interpreting the problem from the perspective of self-responsibility. Keywords: workplace, justice, forgiveness, self-responsibility, accountability, ownership. Justice and Forgiveness in the Workplace Socialization and positive chemistry amongst individuals of any given company is desired yet not always attained. Having a work environment in where most individuals get along not only makes it a suitable environment to work in but also an enjoyable one to be a part of. However, in order to portray such healthy environment one must first analyze the individuals that make up such environment and ask are they here for the betterment of the company or are they just here for a paycheck? This paper discusses the importance of self-responsibility and exemplifies the power of justice and forgiveness. Issue at Hand Within the past, couple months my company had been going through many unforeseen changes. Due to the unsolicited changes, employees’ morale and spirits had...
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