Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Forgiveness means different things to different people. Generally, however, it involves a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you might always be with you, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help free you from the control of the person who harmed you.

Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

However, forgiveness can also be incredibly freeing and can lead to improved mental and emotional health. It is important to note that forgiveness does not mean forgetting what happened or excusing the behavior of the person who wronged you; rather, it is a personal choice to release negative emotions and move forward in a positive direction.

Biblical meaning of Forgiveness

If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9)

Unforgiveness makes us feel angry, cold, hard, bitter, and resentful. The impact of unforgiveness can be physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Yes, you may feel justified in your anger, yet you must choose what you desire – your anger or freedom from anger. In the very first book of the New Testament in the Bible, the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 18, Jesus tells a parable about a man who refuses to forgive someone even after he has been forgiven. And Jesus describes the consequences of that unforgiveness as being like torture. When we don’t forgive, we are deciding to hold onto the offense. We focus on our pain and choose to relive the moment that offended us whenever the offender comes nearby.

When people withhold forgiveness or harbor resentment towards someone else, it often ends up making things worse for the person who has been wounded. One proverb compares resentment to swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die. When we hold onto the overwhelming emotions of anger, distress and despair, we repeatedly injure ourselves and further the damage that has been inflicted on our souls.

God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. (Romans 5:8-9)

What is forgiveness?

Forgiveness is an action or a choice to release an offender from  punishment and entrust it all to God. 

Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God, in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 

Facts about forgiveness

Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. 

As Christians, we are forgiven for our offenses through Christ taking the punishment for our sin by dying on the cross. It’s Jesus’s work on the cross that cancels our debt.

Forgiveness is also unconditional. We can forgive regardless of whether the offender apologizes or takes responsibility. In other words, our ability to forgive is not dependent on the actions of others.

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other some my calling as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Colossians 3:13

Forgiveness is the act of letting go of feelings of anger, resentment, or revenge towards someone who has wronged you. It involves a deliberate decision to release negative emotions and move forward with a sense of peace and acceptance. Forgiveness can be a difficult process, especially if the hurt caused was significant or if the person who wronged you has not shown remorse. However, forgiveness can also be incredibly freeing and can lead to improved mental and emotional health. It is important to note that forgiveness does not mean forgetting what happened or excusing the behavior of the person who wronged you; rather, it is a personal choice to release negative emotions and move forward in a positive direction.

 

                    General Benefits of Forgiveness

1. It reduces stress and stress-related disorders.
2. It can lower depression.
3. It protects your heart.
4. It can strengthen relationships.
5. It can help you reach your potential.
6. Forgiveness is the basis of self love

    7.  Forgiveness helps you let go of the past and manifest your true desires

8. Forgiving makes you a more conscious person
9. Forgiveness helps you attract inner peace and calm
10. Forgiving helps you learn from the past, my book on forgiveness), the benefits will only go deeper into your body, heart and mind, because of the spiritual connection you’ll receive through the practice

 

 Health Benefits of Forgiveness

1.Lower heart rate

Forgiveness relaxes our hearts because we’ve let our pain ease out of our system as an offering to God. Our hearts can calm down, and our heart rate decreases as a result.

2. Lower blood pressure

When we no longer feel anxiety or anger because of past grievances, our heart rate evens out and our blood pressure drops. This normalizes many processes in the body and brings us into coherence with our heart and circulatory system.

3. Lower risk of alcohol or substance abuse

This is a big one. I feel this is one of the biggest and best reasons to jump into a forgiveness practice without delay. Substance abuse is a mask for underlying pain. Forgiveness helps us release that pain and find the gifts in our situation instead.

4. Improved psychological well-being

By releasing our grievances, we become more harmonious on all levels. Nightmares recede and exciting new life visions become commonplace. We feel calmer, happier and ready to give compassion and love to our world.

A good life, full of quality relationships, service to others and fun, is something that most of us hope for without ever knowing how to create it.

Looking at the list above, it’s easy to see that if you had lower stress, hostility, blood pressure and chronic pain, you’d be happier in your life. Also, if you had healthier relationships, improved psychological well-being and greater spiritual connection, you’d really be living a life of joy and purpose.

5. Fewer anxiety symptoms

Almost everyone needs to forgive him or herself as well as others. Anxiety often arises when we fear that we’ve done something wrong. Our guilty conscience causes anxiety at a deep level. Forgiveness helps us to love ourselves deeply, relieving us of inner pain.

6.  Less hostility

By its very nature, forgiveness asks us to let go of hostility toward ourselves and others.  Spontaneous hostile behavior, like road rage and picking a fight for no reason, goes down as our commitment to forgiveness goes up.

7. Fewer depression symptoms

Similar to lowering substance abuse, this is a crucial issue for many people. Depression is debilitating and can lead to suicide. On the other hand, forgiveness gives us healing and grace, and can replace depression with a sense of purpose and compassion.

8. Healthier relationships

When we make forgiveness a regular part of our spiritual practice, we start to notice that all of our relationships (with lovers, co-workers, bosses, neighbors, etc.) begin to blossom. There’s far less drama to deal with, and that’s a huge bonus in life.