STEP 4: Reach for Forgiveness

Blog & Podcast Series:

7 Easy Steps to Go From Broken to Blest

STEP 4: Reach for Forgiveness: The Key to Health & Happiness

*Based on the book, ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You,’ by Adele Gill

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“If you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly

Father will also forgive you.”

Matthew 6:14

Why Forgive?

Forgiveness is a necessary part of life—but it’s often easier said than done. Forgiveness is one thing that can heal your body and your mind. However, lack of forgiveness can act as a powerful toxin in your mind and body when we refuse to forgive ourselves, or others. We can actually experience depression, anxiety, or physically sick when we harbor resentments, or are under stress for too long.

Prolonged or intense stress or emotional trauma sometimes can cause damage to one’s neurological and immune systems, and/or the cardiac system. This sort of mind-body stress has the ability to cause, among other things, heart disease, seizures, multiple sclerosis, lupus, chronic fatigue, myasthenia gravis, or, even some forms of cancer.

Nothing can bog you down more quickly physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, than fear, and a lack of forgiveness. In fact, much hinges on one’s ability to forgive those who have hurt them, betrayed them, insulted them, disrespected them, walked away from them, neglected or abandoned them.

Sometimes we are hesitant to forgive others because we are afraid of feeling vulnerable. Or we don’t like confrontation, so we just go on our way, and try to forget whatever it was that happened in the past. Sometimes it is false pride; other times it is resentment that prevents us from forgiving others or asking for forgiveness. However, too often it is seething anger that keeps us from forgiving others.

 

The Effects of Unforgiveness

Lack of forgiveness, if left unattended, can destroy one’s peace. It can infiltrate every aspect of one’s being, including your physical wellness and mental health, and the fallout is incredibly costly for all involved. For some, there is what I call “spill over” that can even affect one’s ability to relate with other people– family, friends, boss, neighbors, and other relationships. Lack of forgiveness can also wreak havoc on one’s ability to grow in their relationship with Jesus. This is particularly an issue in people with what is commonly called, “church-hurt.” In that case, it is more important than ever to forgive, as one’s physical, spiritual and emotional wellness may depend on it!

 

The truth is that sometimes things happen that are just plain wrong. People can hurt and offend us. Usually, we can find a way to make things right, but sometimes it eludes us and we are left to live with the fallout. The Bible tells us we must find a way to forgive others, as God has forgiven us. After all, we are all sinners, hopefully doing the best we can, striving to live a good life. We are called by Jesus to “Love one another as He has loved us.” That is, we are forgiven by God as we forgive others. According to holy scripture, Jesus even gave us the forgiveness prayer, commonly known as The Our Father, to help us with forgiveness. Clearly He knows what a huge challenge forgiveness can be for many of us–al of humanity:

 

The Forgiveness Prayer: The Our Father

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we  forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen – Matthew 6:9

 

We need to always be ready to take the high road and extend an olive branch, even when be believe the other person is dead wrong, and unwilling to budge or even meet us halfway. Some say forgiveness helps the person who is hurt. I say  forgiveness is mutually beneficial, and vitally necessary for the well-being of all involved.

We Are All In This Together

Certainly, we all have times when we fall short. So, we need to try to remember that when others let us down in one way or another, we are all in this life together. We need to learn to step up, take the high road, and mend our broken bridges. That is how we can experience the very best this life has to offer. Surely, we all make mistakes at times. Yet, God forgives us over and again; and we need to do the same for others to be in graces with Him. Sometimes we can easily make amends; yet other times it sems impossible to forgive others (and/or ourselves). But we need find a way to forgive and enjoy the freedom that comes with it, which is an act of love that brings us closer to God.

Is there someone you need to forgive? You don’t need to forget what transpired. You just need to decide to give people a pass. THat means opening your heart to forgive them, no matter what the offense. Afterall, isn’t that what you would want them to do for you? It takes tremendous courage to forgive, even things that seem unforgiveable, but the benefits are enormous far-reaching, life-giving, and life-changing! Why wait?

 

Copyright © 2025   |   Adele M. Gill