It was just a normal day, or was it ?
Our world at the moment feels like some days there is too much negativity on our news programmes, to a degree that possibly has never been seen before.
Serious World issues flowing along the bottom of the television screen on a continuous basis. War, famine, earthquakes, fires and goodness knows what else. Unbelievable and too many to mention and all are going on a daily basis.
It no wonder the rise in mental health issues, with the catastrophic news seemingly never ending. So it can be difficult to navigate your daily life without some anger
To hold resentment against somebody, usually does you much more harm than could ever do to the person at the receiving end of your anger.
Being angry puts your system into the ‘ Fight or flight mode’ which does nothing but negatively affect your mind and your body. Your heart rate and blood pressure can increase. Your immune system can be affected and all those feelings can increase your chances of depression and other mental and physical conditions, wow, all that from our thoughts in our head.
On the other hand forgiveness opens the door to a calm and relaxed mind and body. Your mood changes and lifts. You start to feel happier, more content and at peace with the world. Your body will find an equilibrium that will help you to feel healthier with more energy etc. and all of this by changing your outlook.
And of course there will be healing in abundance for our relationships with our spouse, our family and friends and with the greater world out there. Praise be to our precios Lord Jesus for all of that.
These are only some of the health benefits of forgiveness, but what about the spiritual benefits? Our Lord Jesus said that we have to forgive our debtors so that we can be forgiven. There are many Sacred Scripture that show his wishes for us for our physical and mental health
Isaiah 30:18 – “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”
Proverbs 28:13 – “No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Come, let us talk this over,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 18
“…through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins. Such is the richness of the grace.”
Ephesians, chapter 1, verse 7
“In your most faithful love, please forgive this people’s guilt, as you have done from Egypt until now.” The Lord said, “I forgive them as you ask.”
Numbers, chapter 14, verses 19-20
And what a wonderful treasure of spiritual benefits we stand to gain with that act of forgiveness. There are many in the Sacred Scriptures and we'll be blessed beyond measure.
Our Lord tells us that we only need to start telling ourselves we want to forgive, as it's an ongoing process but getting it started is one of the most important acts we can do. So what's keeping us?
let's go for it and we will be so glad we made that effort.
Wishing you all a Healthy and Holy New Year in the blissful peace of Jesus
from Bonnie Scotland
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