Gentle Reminder

Forgiveness can be a challenge and can feel full of conflict. Sometimes it feels easier to hold on to the pain as a way to honor our hurt or to protect ourselves from being hurt again. And these are logical responses. Research, however, points to the benefits of choosing to forgive. It points to the ways it actually frees us up. Forgiveness is taking someone off the hook and setting them down, lifting them off your back so you aren’t burdened anymore. It’s recognizing that not forgiving is actually hurting us more than forgiving. Studies show that once we’ve granted true forgiveness, levels of depression and anxiety go down. Body pains, blood pressure, substance abuse, and feelings of stress and hostility decrease as well. It unlocks us from the prison we’ve placed ourselves in, and allows us to get out of the past and move forward. It is the gift of an empowered and peaceful heart once again.