You might be thinking – “why is she bringing up forgiveness when I want to learn how to improve my health???”
Our ability to forgive ourselves and others greatly effects our health. If you want an energized, healthy body you need to eliminate unforgiveness. Look at the findings of a study Mayo Clinic did on how forgiveness effects our health. When we remove or reduce unforgiveness we have:
Healthier relationships
Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
Less anxiety, stress and hostility
Lower blood pressure
Fewer symptoms of depression
Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse
Not only does unforgiveness effect your physical health, it also stands in the way of your spiritual health. In Matthew 6:14-15 God clearly tells us, “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.”
That’s pretty clear, if you want God to forgive you, you need to forgive others. You might think, “I was really mad at my brother, but I told him I forgave him”, but here’s where the challenge comes in, Matthew 18:35 tells us we can’t just throw out the word “Sorry” we have to forgive “from your heart”.
Really? Saying sorry isn’t enough?
I remember when my kids were small and they did something mean to each other I would tell them to apologize. Often, they’d toss out “sorry” as they went about their business. I could tell there was no real remorse and they only said “sorry” because I told them to. God knows our heart. In Jeremiah 17:10 we are told, "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind,”
Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Dig deep and don’t answer “no” too quickly. If someone comes to mind, the first thing you need to do is forgive them in your heart. In some circumstances you might also have to go and reconcile with the person who harmed you, but it starts in your own heart.
Often, we refuse to forgive because we think they don’t deserve it, they should be punished
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies”
You are the one who is hurt by the unforgiveness. So often we think our chronic headaches, our stomach discomfort, our nagging neck pain…. is caused by something we are doing when it actually could stem from the unforgiveness you hold on to.
Please, if you still refuse to forgive someone, meditate on Matthew 6:14-15. Joyce Meyer puts it this way, "Many people ruin their health and their lives by taking the poison of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness." I know you don't want to harm yourself so ask God to help you to truly release yourself from the grips of unforgiveness.
You will never achieve optimal health if you hang onto unforgiveness.
