Forgiveness is the Healthiest Choice

By Derek Ellis, Tuesday@10:10 blog

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” – Lewis B. Smedes

There is no doubt that all of us have experienced hurt, disappointments, betrayal and rejection at the hands of a loved one. It is fact of this life: nobody gets through it unscathed. However, despite the offense, all of us have a choice of how to respond: to forgiveness or to resent.

Especially when we’ve been hurt, resentment gives us a sense of power in an otherwise devitalizing circumstance. If we can damage, disparage, undermine or undervalue the offender, we have somehow gained the upper hand.

Unfortunately, resentment doesn’t work that way. Typically, the offending party has already moved on and you are left the prisoner of your own bitterness, replaying conversations and executing mental revenge. And as unhealthy as it is emotionally to live in a state of bitterness, there are some nasty physical effects as well.

According to Huffington Post[i], unforgiveness has been linked to:

·         Elevated stress levels
·         Higher blood pressure
·         Shorter life spans
·         Fatigue, and;
·         Weakened immune systems

If you are holding onto resentment for your partner or someone else today, consider forgiveness. Your body will thank you.

[i] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/25/forgiveness-health-benefits_n_6029736.html