The Healing Power of Forgiveness

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Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times, (Matthew 18:21-22).  Jesus said that we should forgive as often as is needed. The reason the Bible speaks out on so many things that we should be careful to observe is that God in his love for us wanted to give us instructions that were in our best interest. The healing power of forgiveness certainly is one of those things in our best interest, as we shall see as we go forward.

Holding on to resentment and the desire for revenge is counter-productive—better to embrace forgiveness and move on with your life.

Most every one of us has been insulted and hurt by the hateful remarks of others, and often it is by someone close. We may mistakenly believe that by returning hatred and being unforgiving is a way to get back at them but, in fact, it imprisons us; forgiveness heals and frees us to continue in peace, joy and happiness in our life.

What is forgiveness?

Forgiveness is letting go of bitterness and thoughts of hatred and revenge. If we insist on holding a grudge, we have become a victim of letting another person be in control of our emotions whereas forgiveness puts us in control and can even cause us to feel empathy for the one who offended us and include compassion for them, with the understanding that they are struggling also.

Our forgiveness of another in no way relieves that person of their responsibility for their actions. They must answer to God whose responsibility it is to bring justice and revenge for the sinful actions of others. In addition, of course it is a matter of law if laws have been broken. Never is the hateful acts of others excused because of forgiveness; they indeed must pay the toll.

Does forgiving others have benefits?

While holding on to bitterness can have devastating effects, letting go of bitterness and having an attitude of forgiveness has healing effects:

• A release of anxiety
• Lower stress levels
• Remove hostility
• Lower the blood pressure
• Enhance contentment and peace
• Create better relationships

How does un-forgiveness affect us?

From the “,The Scarlet Letter” comes the classic example of the terror oflife of bitterness and revenge:  “After Mr. Dimmesdale’s death, a remarkable change took place in the appearance and personality of the old man known as Roger Chillingworth. All his strength and energy, all his physical and intellectual force, seemed to leave him at once. He withered up, shriveled away, and almost vanished from human sight, like an uprooted weed that wilts in the sun. This sad man had made the pursuit of revenge the one mission in his life. When that evil aim had achieved its ultimate end—when there was no more Devil’s work left for him on earth—there was nothing for that inhuman man to do but return to his master [The Devil].”

Forgiveness is of God and hatred and revenge is of the Devil. It can affect your very soul, diminishing every semblance of love, and drain every good thing from your life until nothing remains but a miserable, shriveled up human being. Your health is at stake as hatred eats away at the fiber of your body, soul, and spirit. It can sour your attitude and drain every bit of joy from your life. You can become depressed and forfeit any gain in your personal growth. You can lose the friendship of those closest to you and drown in your own sorrow and despair.

However, thanks to God for the healing power of forgiveness; itis the healing medicine of the soul. The soul is the mind, will, and emotions; hatred and un-forgiveness affect each of those three in a negative way. Hatred and un-forgiveness bring destruction to a body, soul, and spirit, while forgiveness brings healing and produces peace of mind; a strong and determined will to do the right thing; and calms the emotions and brings happiness.

How can I learn to forgive?

Forgiveness requires a change in attitude from wanting to get even to wanting to resolve issues.

• Consider how important forgiveness is in your life in making your life better.
• Learn to weigh things and eliminate things according to their significance. Trivial things are the things that often cause the greatest hang-ups.
• Make it a matter of determination to forgive others.
• Make the forgiveness a subject of prayer, asking God to give you the grace to be forgiving and the ability to leave it in his hands to bring about any needed justice.
• Never take on the victim attitude. This is allowing someone else to have control over you. Take charge of your own emotions and refuse to let hatred and revenge rule your life.

Forgiveness is the positive attitude that defines a life that is under control and not a prisoner of hate, while un-forgiveness is the opposite, living as a victim of others hatefulness, a prisoner of revenge and suffering the loss of freedom and peace. “Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you.” –Corrie Ten Boom

The Bible instructs us to forgive:

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

“Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-16

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25

Conclusion

Out of obedience to the Lord, we forgive. It is our choice; we must decide. When we do forgive, we discover that God had our welfare in mind. He wants us to be free from the consequences that un-forgiveness brings to our lives. He wants the healing for us that forgiveness brings.

About the author: Jimmie Burroughs is a motivational speaker and author who has been involved in teaching Christian Personal Development for more than 30 years. There are hundreds of articles to help you on this website (Website Contents) in your personal growth.

 

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