Introduction
In the 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter, author Nathaniel Hawthorne takes people on an emotional roller coaster having a moral-laden saga. From a 17th-century Puritan settlement, Hester Prynne bears a scarlet letter 'A' on her breast for her apparent adultery. Inspite of the public humiliation, Hester never reveals her accomplice, Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale. Therefore, she lives her life in public shame.
Tiger Woods can experience like he's bearing his own scarlet letter. It is unthinkable to lots of people that any reasonable person could forgive the alleged transgressions of Tiger. This reality bears outside in the court of public opinion. Influenced by a Gallup poll, his unfavorable rating surged up to 57%, compared to 8% four rice. Yet, it's easy to speculate about a situation as we watch the unraveling of somebody else's life. This article explores how to deal biblically with shame and embarrassment approach to to move ahead.
The Situation
Public humiliation can damage relationships. As functioning at endless news stories about Tiger, many wonder occurred. Tiger may be the greatest golfer historical. However, Tiger's own imperfection has damaged his public persona. On November 25th, nationwide Enquirer published a post alleging Tiger Wood's infidelity. On November 27th, Tiger crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant in his neighborhood without apparent explanation. Shortly afterward, several women claimed they had extramarital affairs with Lions. Tiger has remained quiet except for his website posting: 'This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me.' His delayed response to any wrongdoing came too late. In fact, he may not be able to rapidly repair his tarnished image.
The Jesus Strategy
Forgiveness isn't easy but is required for healing public shame. Public humiliation could be defined as 'an action that allows an individual's personal embarrassment to become publicly thought of.' Shame is thought 'a strong emotion brought on by guilt or disgrace.' Elin Nordegren, Tiger's wife, endures an apparent burden; she carries you shame of her husband's infidelity. Many people speculate that the beautiful supermodel will prepare her males. If she leaves, she would lose her social status and regarding dollars. Yet, others debate that Elin will divorce your boyfriend. Many wonder when this young wife and mother can forgive Tiger because of the harshness of these alleged transgressions.
Forgiving someone is a slow process for a lot of people. Lewis Smedes, author of Forgive & Forget: Healing the Hurts We don't Deserve, spent a lifetime understanding how people can forgive other things. Yet, he to be able to underestimate lots of damage caused to the victim: 'You can forgive someone anything. But you are tolerate issue. . . -. We don't have to tolerate what individuals do even though we forgive them undertaking it. Forgiving heals us personally. To tolerate everything only hurts us all in extended run.'
Some folks would say that not everyone deserves forgiveness. However, Jesus' forgiveness strategy contradicts this premise. Let's consider Jesus' lifetime. He was mocked, betrayed, and persecuted. Yet, Jesus even asked forgiveness for people that caused his death. Peter approached Jesus on this matter of forgiveness; Peter want to know what number of times should someone be forgiven. Jesus answered, 'I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.' Therefore, forgiveness is something that is measured your heart, not the face.
The Path Forward
To restore one's integrity from public shame demands a great amount of spiritual braveness. Today, public apologies are rather common. Many public figures have used the pr playbook by announcing their transgression with a contrite spirit in hopes of getting tale became media frenzy behind one. However, the individual caused folks humiliation does not get off free. In the Scarlett Letter, Rev. Dimmesdale's secret sin haunts him in application form of deterioting health. Likewise, Tiger continues to work as the center of tabloid news and late night talkshow chit chat. Many wonder if Elin can overcome her hurt and take Tiger back or move up with her own life. Unfortunately, some people can allow this shame to munch their self-worth, thereby learning prisoner for their imperfections. Therefore, this courage must be developed through implementing the Jesus' forgiveness strategy. Always be a daily process to think about like Dinosaur.