John’s Hopkins Medicine published an article titled Forgiveness: Your Health Depends on It. When you get a few moments I highly recommend you look it up. I’ll give you a link, but here’s the essence:
“Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap significant rewards for your health, lowering the risk of heart attack; improving cholesterol levels and sleep; and reducing pain, blood pressure, and levels of anxiety, depression and stress.
‘There is an enormous physical burden to being hurt and disappointed,’ says Karen Swartz, M.D., director of the Mood Disorders Adult Consultation Clinic at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. ‘Chronic anger puts you into a fight-or-flight mode, which results in numerous changes in heart rate, blood pressure and immune response. Those changes, then, increase the risk of depression, heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions. Forgiveness, however, calms stress levels, leading to improved health.” https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/forgiveness-your-health-depends-on-it
Forgiving someone who has purposely hurt you is not excusing his or her behavior. Instead, it is choosing to set yourself free from the prison of bitterness while still acknowledging the wrong-doing.
It is not denying the hurt. It is an intentional decision to release the anger and resentment caused by the hurt.
It is not pretending the offense didn’t happen. It is choosing to not allow the offense to control you.
It is not excusing what the person did. It is opening the door to healing even if reconciliation never happens.
Forgiveness is seldom the easy thing to do. But it’s always the healthy thing to do.
Rod Robison is a mentalist, magician, author and speaker who helps companies and organizations throughout Arizona and beyond create unforgettable events for their employees and clients. Visit www.TucsonMentalist.com
Books available at www.TucsonMagician.com/books
