The Healing Power of Forgiveness
When we walk around harboring angry and bitter feelings toward someone who has done something hurtful or wrong to us, we hurt ourselves, not the person who committed the wrongdoing. Unresolved anger and resentment manifests itself in the way we live our lives and ultimately, they affect our health and quality of life.
Some issues that affect us deeply go way back. Back to childhood, even. Think of the effects that they have had on so many of our life experiences. Do you want to start anew? Are you interested in shaping how you respond to life from this point forward? Consider the notion of forgiveness. Forgiveness frees us of the burden of resentment and anger; the greater the hurt, the greater the benefits involved in forgiving the one who did the hurting.
Alexander Pope stated, “To err is human; to forgive, divine. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting. Forgiving doesn’t mean accepting unacceptable behavior. Forgiving isn’t excusing another’s inexcusable actions. Forgiving is for you. Forgiveness is all about achieving freedom from the one who wronged you. Forgiveness is a way to move on so the hurt no longer controls future life experiences and interactions with others.
The healing benefits of forgiveness include:
- Decreased stress levels
- Decreased anger and negative thoughts
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Decreased vulnerability to substance abuse/addictive illness
It may be difficult to work through forgiveness on your own. Talk it out with someone you trust. Mental health professionals can also be useful in assisting you with identifying and forgiving real and/or perceived wrongdoings.
Whatever the hurt…forgiveness is the answer for you.
Dr. Neal Asks...
