Forgiveness Is the Best Medicine

When I saw an old acquaintance of mine from high school days, I waved but inwardly stewed. I just could not forgive that man…for changing my life, destroying my car and my insurance rating…many, many years ago. I customarily put my car keys above my car visor as we lived in a very small town. But one night my friend, who had greatly indulged in the spirits, took my car without my permission and subsequently rammed my 69’ Chevy Camaro into a gas pump. For other’s it has been from their being humiliated, taken advantage of, being abused, and other serious events that are impossible to forget.

Harboring a grudge lowers the body’s resistance and allows more damage from viruses, infections, toxins and also increases the likelihood of accidents. It negatively impacts the immune system. Like a poison, resentment and burning for revenge increase the risk of cancer. Bodily functions operate less efficiently, oxygen is deprived, for other’s grinding their teeth at night, having temperamental experiences with family, friends and in public.

The early Eastern medicines understood the cause and effect of not forgiving and poor health. Forgiveness works like a healing balm which slowly penetrates and chip’s away at old, worn feelings of anger and resentment. The damage that years of resentment can do is well documented health professionals. Additional risk factors include anxiety, depression, grief, drug abuse, stress, eating disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Generally, they are miserable and have an extremely short fuse. This can lead to isolation and severe loneliness due to the withdrawal of family and friends.

Forgiveness promotes good mental and physical health. And this is exactly what the world desperately needs right now. More patience, forgiveness and tolerance among one another. The world becomes more a global neighborhood with each passing day and peace and understanding is becoming a precious, rare commodity and it seems where there is short supply, there is great demand. These people’s predisposition tends to increase companionship, and the number of friends one has.

Forgiveness is necessary in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Blaming others for your present state of affairs, like your parents for example, is choosing not to forgive them. And not only extending forgiveness, but asking for forgiveness. There are two sides to every issue and I have often been the one to blame, so it was up to me to apologize. I have done so many times and have yet, I am sure, to do so again in the future. The universe seems to revolve around me more and excludes others. But when both parties can collaborate and settle the issue, they both equally benefit. The universe is back to it’s proper place, and I am not in it.

Relationships are a two-way street, but one can not control what other’s choose to do or not to do. If you choose to forgive others and they choose to not forgive you, you have met your obligation. However, you can control your decision to forgive. Only a look in the mirror reminds me I have rubbed people the wrong way, like rubbing a cat’s fur the wrong direction. No doubt, I have deserved maltreatment. Evidence indicates that the older a person gets, the more benefits received by forgiving. Physically, physiologically, emotionally, and mentally. There is no scientific explanation for this. Perhaps it is attributable to longer, more established relationships and friendships, which in themselves have proven beneficial in regards to living a longer life. And living in the past (i.e. harboring a long held grudge) has detrimental effects since all attention is focused inward. Like the world revolving around someone.

There are steps and procedures from the Mayo Clinic on forgiveness. When my children were young, I told them that life is not always fair. You have to learn to accept people for the way they are. No one is perfect. Forgiving, although not easy, is a choice. Extending forgiveness is doable. I have finally done this with my former classmate…and many, many others. I realized that I do more harm to myself than the other person. Although it seems impossible to forget, it is a proven fact that peace and health are related to a forgiving spirit. Indeed, it is in that person’s and my own best interests.

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  1. AprilLorier said:

    I am a pastor’s daughter who was badly abused by my mother. It was a long journey until I arrived at the place where I could forgive God. I loved Him dearly, even as a child, but I could not reconcile a loving God with All-Powerful God who could have stopped the abuse. Fortunately, God brought me to that place of forgiveness before Mom died. I took what I had learned and changed the law in CA, making reporting abuse/neglect mandatory. Ronald Reagan signed it into law. And finally, after all those years, I wrote about it “God’s Battered Child” for others who have gone through abuse. What the enemy meant for evil, God has used for His good. Praise God! http://www.aprillorier.com

    August 15, 2010
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  2. said:

    April. Thank you so much for your comment. Your comment reminds me of Malachi 3:3 which says: ‘He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.’ This verse clearly reveals the very character and nature of God. Just look at whats involved in the process of refining Silver. The silversmith held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He is refining silver, and one needs to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. Think about God holding us in such a hot spot; then the verse “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.’ The fact is that the silversmith had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. He not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. So how does the silversmith know when the silver is fully refined? When he or she can see their image in it.’ If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. And, whatever you’re going through or have gone through, you’ll be a better person in the end.

    August 15, 2010
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  3. AprilLorier said:

    Or the Potter who’s spinning me on His wheel, faster and faster, as I scream, “What are you doing to me?” 😀

    August 17, 2010
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  4. said:

    Yes, another good analogy April and one that the Bible uses. It seems that the faster the clay vessel is spun around the turnstile, the more smooth and refined it turns out, but at the present time, it is not fun. Thanks friend.

    August 17, 2010
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