Forgiveness

Forgiveness - Is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness with an increased ability to wish the offender well.

Unforgiveness grieves the Holy Spirit...

"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God; whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness and anger and indignation and clamour and blasphemy be put away from you with all malice.  And be ye kind one to another; merciful, forgiving one another, even as God hath forgiven you in Christ."

Ephesians 4:30-32

As I scanned the internet on the subject of forgiveness it was interesting to run across a scientific study that found that holding a grudge literally weighs you down.  

Researchers at Erasmus University in the Netherlands asked people to write about a time when they either gave or withheld forgiveness.  They were then asked to jump as high as they could five times, without bending their knees.  The forgivers jumped highest, about 11.8 inches on average, while the grudge holders jumped 8.5 inches, a huge difference and a startling illustration of how forgiveness can actually unburden you.  

Studies have also found that forgiveness makes for a healthier heart and you sleep better.  Religious people are more forgiving and of course, children are.

Personally, I have a bad memory and I think that is a blessing when it comes to offenses.  That's where a bad memory comes in handy!

Here's an excerpt from an article entitled "When You Refuse to Forgive" by John Nieder...

"As long as you fail to identify and forgive offenders and offenses, you will be shackled to your past.  Unforgiveness will keep the pain alive, pick at the open sore and keep it from healing.  You will go through life feeling just as bad as you do now, or perhaps worse with no relief in sight.  There is an alternative. You can forgive the person who hurt you and get on with your life.  Forgiveness opens the prison door and sets you free from your past."

I thought John summed it up pretty well.

But above all, we need to forgive because we are forgiven.  

"Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy."

Matthew 6:7

It's not always easy to forgive, but to not forgive has devastating affects on us. Unforgiveness, not only of others, but also of ourselves, imprisons us.  

Forgive and be forgiven.

Be set free.

"Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

Matthew 18:21-22