Lines for Ladies By Pat McAlister Blessings of Forgiveness

Psalm 17:4-14
“Who hasn’t felt the sting of betrayal, unfair treatment or something more abusive? Many of us cling to the resulting
rage and pain, but others choose not to. The latest research shows that learning to forgive those who hurt us can have
profound benefits. It’s become a hot new way to manage anger, cut stress and, maybe most important, improve health.

“At an Atlanta conference last fall, some 40 researchers met to review what they are finding in probing the healing power of
making peace. One study showed that giving up grudges can reduce chronic back pain. Another found forgiveness limited
relapses among women battling substance- abuse problems. So on top of having profound emotional benefits, purging
anger may also help heal some of what ails us physically. However you defuse your anger, forgiveness can be powerful. And
while you can’t alter the past, confronting unresolved issues and the people behind them can lead you to a happier, healthier
future.”

“The power of Healing” by Lisa Collier Cool
Reader’s Digest, May 2004

From the Word of God we are instructed to forgive others if we expect to be forgiven ourselves. Perhaps God told us to do this, not only because it is the Christian thing to do, but also because of how it will affect us. We know from experience
that holding grudges and bitterness hurts us more than it hurts the other person.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25 -26)

Wouldn’t you say that this is pretty clear? Unless we forgive, we will not be forgiven. Also, unless we forgive, a grudge can eat at us like a sore. It consumes us. Forgiveness can be twofold, not to mention what it could give the other person. It will give us forgiveness from our Father in heaven and we find there can be health benefits too.

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