The Healing Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness.  We hear about it, we know it's what we need to do, but do we apply it to our lives?  It can be a difficult thing to do, especially when we have been hurt, or even worse, when someone we love has been hurt.  You may have heard it said that when we forgive someone, the person we set free is ourselves.  The one we are angry with may not even know how upset we are and it certainly doesn't imprison them nearly as much as it imprisons us.  Hanging onto our anger and pain will eventually effect our health.  It also effects those around us as it continues to turn into a root of bitterness.  "Unforgiveness is classified in medical books as a disease. According to Dr. Steven Standiford, chief of surgery at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, refusing to forgive makes people sick and keeps them that way."  He goes on to explain that 61% of their cancer patients have forgiveness issues. 

Where do we start if we know that this is an issue that needs to be dealt with?  Of course, that is the first step -  recognizing that it is a problem that needs to be met head on.  According to Jesus, we are to forgive because WE have been forgiven.  This statement comes from the One who said, "Father, forgive them.  They know not what they do" as He hung on the cross in pain that we can't begin to imagine.  In Luke 6:37-38, Jesus says “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”   In a parallel passage in Matthew 6:14-15, in response to the disciples asking him how they should pray, Jesus emphasizes, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  There are many more Scriptures that could be cited here, and they all point to the same thing.  Forgiving is a command that is for our own well-being, that we may be a blessing.  

Unforgiveness is detrimental to our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health, which I approach from a Biblical perspective since that is the world view I am living.  However, if that's not where you are in life,  this is still an applicable truth that has been proven in the medical community.

If this topic has created a stir in your heart, I pray you will consider taking that first step towards the freedom of forgiveness.  At a complete loss as to where to begin?  You may find this teaching by Joyce Meyer to be helpful, who forgave her father for abusing her throughout her childhood.  
http://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=the_poison_of_unforgiveness

May you be blessed and set free!

​
​
Sources: (http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2015/June/Healthcares-Antidote-Cash-In-on-a-Cash-Only-Plan)
                 Holy Bible, ESV

---