Forgiveness is good for your health
There was a free public forum at Clove & Clive last Saturday night on the topic Forgiveness - Path to Liberation. It was very interesting and the questions and discussion that followed were lively and exciting.
Forgiveness is about letting go of the hold that an old injury had over us. Holding on to old memories and pain harms us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Forgiveness is always for the injured, not the injurer. Forgiveness allows the injured to heal.
Studies have showed that people who forgive reduces their anxiety, pain, depression and even some physical symptoms such as backache and arthritis. They experienced an increased in energy, vitality, optimism about life and increased physical and emotional well being. In contrast, an unforgiving heart prolonged the pain from an injury that was long gone. It perpetuates the state of stress in the body, with increased anxiety, worry, depression and pessimism. It also increases the risk of a heart attack, gastric ulcer, skin eruptions, arthritis, neck and backache. Generally, it decreases the quality of life for the unforgiving heart.
Knowing this, doesn’t it make sense to forgive?
Tags: forgiveness, forgiving, healing