"Forgiveness for Health"

There're parts about life and living that I know, but don't understand. Forgiveness is one of those lessons that everyone has learned about growing up, and they know about, but sometimes it's hard to understand what it means and why it's important.

I was reminded of why forgiveness is important earlier this week. My daughter and I were at a doctor's appointment when in a glance I saw someone from my past; someone who reminded me of past hurts and embarrassing situations. In that moment, I turned into someone else and started talking about this person and making fun of something that was different from when I knew them before. I can't bring myself to write down the cruel words that came from my mouth that day but after we were called back to an exam room I was astounded by what had come over me.

That morning I had spent my time in my Bible and reading lessons about the importance of relationships, spent time in prayer and communing with God, and I was so full of peace and comfortable with where my spirit was that it came as a shock when I turned into a witch and was being purposefully cruel and enjoying it.

While I was driving home, I was struggling to get the memories out of my head from the past, memories that were not happy and were threatening to take away my joy for the day.

That's when a voice whispered in my head, "This is why forgiveness is so important to you and your health."

What happens to our bodies when we hang onto anger, bitterness and unforgivingness? Our bodies can become sick. We can develop ulcers, indigestion and stomach problems, anger directly affects the heart muscle and weaken it.

The author of the book, Deadly Emotions, Dr. Don Colbert, M.D. states that anger can damage your health and that certain emotions such as anger, depression, self-condemnation can be toxic to your body.

What happens to our hearts when we are unforgiving and holding on to our past? Personally, I know that it makes it hard to connect with people because it makes it hard to trust anyone. Emotionally you can become lonely or react to people unkindly or even be downright mean. This makes a person unhappy or it would most people.

What happens spiritually when we hang onto bitterness and unforgivingness in our spiritual lives? I know that it makes it hard to connect with God, the Father. It can even make it hard to not be angry with God. Sometimes it can make us feel unworthy of what God has done for us.

Those are some reasons why forgiveness is so important in a person's life.

Choosing to forgive is healthy but can also be a process. In the long run it's better for your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health.

The other thing about what happened in the doctor's office that day? I realized that all the memories that I had about that person and about how much that person's actions affected my life was that they probably had no clue. They probably didn't remember what they did or how it affected me. Then why should I continue to let it affect me? Food for thought. Choices to make.

I chose to take it to my God and let it go. I'm happy that I did and I feel better for it and I will not let bitterness, anger or guilt control me anymore. This is my path to physical, emotional and spiritual health, and I am choosing to take it.