Scientific findings have recently confirmed what we Christians have known all along. An unforgiving, grudge-holding spirit is not in our best interest. According to a report heralded by Newsweek, more than 1,200 published studies have now been conducted on the subject and the results are both consistent and conclusive: ” … increased blood pressure and hormonal changes – linked to cardiovascular disease, immune suppression and, possibly, impaired neurological function and memory” are the “specific physiologic consequences” of unforgiveness. One researcher, Everett Worthington, uses language even I can understand: “It happens down the line, but every time you feel unforgiveness, you are more likely to develop a health prob·lem.” Dr. Dean Ornish goes even further. 11 ln a way,” he says, “the most selfish thing you can do for yourself is to forgive other people.” It seems the Bible has been right all along: “Blessed are the merciful. .. ” (Matthew 5:7). “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). “Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Colossians 3:13). “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14,15). I once heard of an epitaph engraved upon the headstone of an unkempt, long-forgotten grave which read, “Died of Grudgitls.” No doubt many death certificates could accurately 11st “grudgitis” as contributing cause of death. I-lave you ever heard someone snarl, through clenched teeth, “I’ll get even with them If It’s the last thing I ever do”? Too often It Is.
Dalton Key Broken Arrow, OK