Something to Think About

April 21, 2012 by Meshawn Senior

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that…

…the prisoner was you.

~ Louis Shmedes

~~~~~

All of us have been hurt by someone at some time in our lives. It may have been a friend or family member, a significant other, or a complete stranger. It’s understandable that we would hold feelings of unforgiveness towards those who have betrayed our trust. But while the person who hurt us goes on with their lives, we are giving them permission to continue hurting us by replaying their trespass against us over and over in our minds and continuing to harbor feelings of bitterness and resentment towards them.

Studies have shown that prolonged negative emotions such as unforgiveness actually create chemical reactions in the body which, over time, can cause sickness and disease. These intense emotions cause increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, increased perspiration, as well as a host of other physiological changes. (Read about it here.)

Not only does unforgiveness wreak havoc on us physiologically, it also hinders our spiritual relationship with God. How many of us have said “The Lord’s Prayer” as modeled by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13? It’s a very powerful prayer to recite. However, if we notice in Verse 12, it says, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.“ So basically when we say this, we’re asking God to forgive us “as” or “the same way” that we forgive others. This should make us think twice the next time we pray this prayer. We may want to examine ourselves and make sure we have no bitter feelings towards anyone.

Also of note, a few verses later in Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus adds, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” So if we don’t forgive others, then God the Father will not forgive us. What a sobering thought!

So what exactly is involved in the act of forgiving someone? Does this mean we condone what they’ve done to us? Absolutely not! What it does mean, though, is that we let go of the bitterness and resentment that we have against them. Even if the offense was great, God can help us to let go of it and forgive. He commands this of us, so He will make a way for us to accomplish it.

Also, forgiving doesn’t mean that we should blindly trust the person again who has wronged us. We should proceed with caution – especially if they have not changed their behavior and may still have the propensity to continue in whatever act that caused us to lose trust in them. Remember, God also commands us to be “wise as serpents but harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) And because every situation is different, we need to pray about each one. God will have to reveal to us the right way to handle each person who has offended us – even after we’ve forgiven them.

So we see that unforgiveness is a state of mind that keeps us in bondage – not only physically and emotionally, but also spiritually. We must choose to forgive others – if not for their sakes, then for our own overall well-being.

Just something to think about…

Posted in Health, Something to Think About, Spiritual | Tagged Bible, Christianity, Faith, Forgiveness, God, Health, Inspiration, Psychology, religion, science, spirituality | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on June 20, 2012 at 8:33 AM | Reply Tom Jasso

What a nice way to start off my day! I loved the article “Bloom Where You’re Planted.” Good job Meshawn!
- on June 20, 2012 at 8:35 AM | Reply Meshawn Senior
  
  Thanks, Tom! Glad you enjoyed it! Have a blessed day.
on May 29, 2012 at 8:31 AM | Reply And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us… « My Takes

[...] Something to Think About (meshawnsenior.wordpress.com) [...]
- on May 29, 2012 at 11:38 AM | Reply Meshawn Senior
  
  Thank you for linking my article. I enjoyed yours, as well. Blessings!
on May 9, 2012 at 3:41 AM | Reply blogging disciple

Very well said Meshawn.

Unforgiveness is something we should always examine our hearts for, before it can grow roots. Sometimes I find upon introspection,that an issue was only a PERCEIVED offense or injury, and simply dissolves. Then there’s the other end of the spectrum, where we find ourselves needing to forgive an unrepentent person. That can sometimes be extremely difficult, but it is also a powerful witness.

Forgiven to forgive.
To God be the Glory!
- on May 9, 2012 at 4:09 AM | Reply Meshawn Senior
  
  Thanks for your comments. I agree with them wholeheartedly. And forgiving unrepentant people is definitely a challenge. But as your closing alluded to, God has forgiven us (for so much more). We need to think about that and forgive others. It really puts things in perspective. To God be the glory indeed!
on April 22, 2012 at 4:50 PM | Reply chasingtheperfectmoment

Excellent message. Thank you for your words of inspiration.
- on April 22, 2012 at 5:58 PM | Reply Meshawn Senior
  
  You’re very welcome! Thanks for your encouragement, as well. Blessings!
on April 22, 2012 at 3:46 PM | Reply Elisia

Thank you, Meshawn, for another powerful message! Also, thank you for the blessing of your solo today at church and everyone who contributed to it!
- on April 22, 2012 at 5:55 PM | Reply Meshawn Senior
  
  Awww, thanks Elisia! It’s my pleasure! The solo was a very special moment for me as this was the first time my whole family accompanied me on that particular song (El Shaddai), which has to be one of my favorites to sing. Thanks again for the encouragement. Blessings!
on April 22, 2012 at 12:36 PM | Reply Mary Frustaci

Good message, Meshawn. Many people I know, feel so offended even by their own family members and feel justified in doing so, Lord’s prayer or no Lord’s prayer. They see it as self-preservation and don’t realize what they’re doing. I know of 2 cases of cousins not speaking to their own mothers. The mothers are refusing to call their own children, (adult children, of course).
These women are Catholics. How can there ever be world peace when family members can become enemies? It’s an elusive dream.
Only when Christ returns and evil is cast out completely can that become a reality.
Mary
- on April 22, 2012 at 1:44 PM | Reply Meshawn Senior
  
  Yes, it is really sad when family members let unforgiveness ruin their relationships. I found out recently how important family is with the unexpected death of my cousin, Stacey. This could happen to anyone in our families; we never know. We should always forgive – no matter what. And as I alluded to in the article, that doesn’t mean you have to be chummy with the person who hurt you. But we MUST forgive.
  
  You are so right that world peace will never become a reality until Christ returns. What a glorious day that will be! Amen.
  
  Thank you, Mary. God bless you.