Irene was healthy, had healthy children, enjoyed a comfortable life and believed to have a happy marriage. Until she found out that her husband was cheating on her.

The reality made her wake up sharply. Her world imploded, there was an exchange of accusations. She said tough things and heard complaints hard to digest.

The divorce, although exhausting, was civilized. On behalf of the children’s well-being, the  former couple decided to maintain a cordial relationship to prevent children from suffering too much.

However, deep inside, Irene could not overcome it.

The ex-husband tried to be present in the lives of their children, while she was looking for reasons to keep him away and create problems. Deep down, she wanted him to feel hurt the same way she felt.

When she heard that he wanted to remarry, she had an anger reaction. How he dared to go over her feelings, like that?

Encouraged by a friend, sought support in a group, where she was welcomed, oriented and advised to administer the sorrow and exercise forgiveness.

As time went by, she stopped speaking with anger about him and make unreasonable demands. She seemed to have overcome the sorrow and forgiven.

However, when she heard the news that the father of her children was with a very serious health problem, which could shorten his life, Irene smiled and murmured a hidden well done.

In the first opportunity, with euphoria, she commented the fact with friends.

Someone asked if she had not forgiven her ex-husband. After all, a long time had passed, since the treachery that led to divorce.

Forgiven him, yes. But, who does bad things, pays for it! And God did justice for me.

*   *   *

How many times have we heard someone say they forgave someone, but is only waiting for something bad to happen to the offender?

How many people relive sorrows, remind offensive words and, despite not taking any attitude against those who hurt them, cheer that a disgrace reaches the person and they feel avenged for the injustice of which they were victims?

And how many delegate the task of avenging them to God?

Truth forgiveness implies to not cultivate desire for revenge.

When we brood sorrow, anger, dissatisfaction, we feed negative feelings that intoxicate the soul and harm our health and our evolution.

Want an offender o be punished by God shows total ignorance of the Divine Laws, especially the Law of Love.

God does not punish anyone. He wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves, which implies in forgiving those who offend us.

Our forgiveness must be unconditional, which means not desiring bad things to those who hurt us, mistreated. It means rejoice instead of getting upset with the good things that reach them; extend them the helpful hand in case of need and abstain, by acts and words, of anything that might harm them.

We must, finally, pay evil with good, without the intent to humiliate.

By doing so, we will be following truly what Jesus taught us. And we will be releasing of whoever has hurt us, offended. That is because only love releases.

Spiritist Moment Team, based on item 3, from chapter 12,
 of  O Evangelho segundo o Espiritismo, by Allan Kardec,
 publishing house FEB.
October 21.2015.