Health and Wellness – Forgiveness is the Key
Jeremiah 30:15, 17 (NIV)
“Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure?…” “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds” – Jeremiah 30:15, 17 (NIV)
Festering wounds from past relationships are dangerous wounds. These wounds, fed by rage, frustration, and other negative things that emanate from us can wreck our relationships and create sicknesses and diseases in our bodies. The phrase, “Hurting people, hurt people”, is applicable since many of us have been hurt to one degree or another. As that damage causes us to become defensive and self-protective, we may lash out at others. Thus, hurting becomes a vicious cycle. In Luke 6:27-28, however, we are admonished to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. What a motivation.
Beloved, there is a direct correlation between emotional pains and stress; and sicknesses and diseases. Dr. Cris Enriquez, M.D wrote in, “We Don’t Die, We Kill Ourselves”, “Stress is brought about by a multitude of factors, from a reckless driver to an obnoxious boss at work.” In stressful situations, we either run or fight but whatever we do, increases our heart rate and constricts our blood flow. These developments, however, are not healthy for an elongated period of time. They become destructive to our bodily cells causing severe damage or even death.
Beloved, God understands what we are going through, and He is willing to repair the broken places in our lives; all He requires of us is to expose where those places are. Only Jesus can walk us through the barriers of time from our wounded past. Certainly one of the most important steps to healing is to forgive from the heart – to acknowledge the wounds and the anger, and then let it go. Yes, it is a tough act to accomplish but there is no freedom or healing without forgiveness.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Your Scripture in Ephesians 4:32 admonishes us to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgive you”. We pray that You cleanse and heal us from every bitterness, resentment, and hatred in our hearts, and replace it with Your love that can heal a multitude of sins. We forgive our offender(s) for every sin they have committed against us. Give us wisdom, to evangelise them for Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
Read: Proverbs 3:3; Proverbs 4:23; Luke 6:27-28
Bible Reading Guide: Psalms 116:1-11; Philippians 3; Philippians 4:1; Jeremiah 4:10-31; Jeremiah 5
