Yesterday, my sister in Christ blessed me. She really did. We were in Sunday school, and somehow we happened upon the topic of forgiveness. Of course, as Christians, we all know we should forgive others. Duh, right? That being so, as we dug a bit into the concept, something beautiful happened. Her following words confirmed that forgiveness makes life easier.
Worship “TNT” followed!
My sister (I love you, Angie!) shared a testimony of how forgiveness ushered her into a place of spiritual liberty and freedom. It was beautifully obvious because she was telling the truth, because she began worshiping and praising God without abandon! She praised Him for His mighty hand in her life and the move of the Holy Spirit in her situation.
She had that uncontainable sort of praise that resides deep, deep down in one’s spirit. She went on to say with a tear-stained face: “I asked God to renew a right spirit in me,” she exclaimed, “He’ll do it!”
You ain’t free walking in unforgiveness.
It really is true – forgiveness makes life easier!
That encounter blessed me because it reminded me of a very important fact. In order to be truly free of the oppression of bitterness, we have to walk in God’s type of forgiveness. I will make our lives so much easier.
Now, forgiveness may look different for different folks, but in the end, it’s all about keeping your heart pure (free of offense, indignation, and hate) before the eyes of God. His eyes are the ones that matter most. Pleasing God gives us such freedom.
We have the freedom to praise God openly and without restraint.
Freedoms make you less inhibited.
Freedom to hear His voice in fellowship (prayer) and freedom to love others without the fear of rejection.
You won’t have that with unforgiveness darkening your heart. You won’t!
Sometimes, you may be unable to tell people you forgive them because they have passed away or moved far away.
They may never know you “blotted out their offense”. But God will know. He’ll know you released them in your heart, and He’ll bless you with fresh blessings because you did.
“Obedience brings a blessing. Disobedience brings a curse.
Back together? Maybe not.
His Holy Spirit will help you figure out how to move forward in a relationship with them, if necessary. Sometimes fellowship must cease, BUT your Christian love for them cannot ever cease.
Why not let it go so you can be free like my Christian sister and so many others who discovered the emancipation of forgiveness?
My anger will not erase the act. It will not even make me feel better. Read my post about anger.
All it does is leave me burdened day after day, weighing down my spirit and mind like a heavy stone…in bondage to the act that wounded me.
Each moment I spend holding onto that anger only deepens my wounds and prolongs my suffering. I may think it gives me strength or a sense of control, but the reality is that it robs me of peace and joy in the present.
Forgiveness is better; it is a powerful choice that frees me from the chains of resentment.
By letting go, I reclaim my emotional well-being and open up space for healing and growth. I embrace forgiveness, for it allows me to move forward, unshackling my heart and mind from the past.
A nasty example of unforgiveness
It’s like stepping in doggie doo and never wiping your feet or cleaning your shoes. You’ll stink, and you’ll just drag “stink” around with you wherever you go.
People in your life do not deserve that.
You don’t deserve that.
It is spiritually immature to hold onto unforgiveness. After all, the Bible clearly teaches about forgiveness, indicating that we have no choice in the matter, right?
Time for “Big Girl” Drawers!
Mature Christians strive to please God. They understand they are “crucified with Christ” and their wants no longer matter.
A baby Christian is different. They focus on themselves, their comfort, and what they want. In the context of forgiveness, they won’t forgive. They think the minute they forgive, their own needs, wants, or comforts are forfeited.
That’s not what forgiveness does.
Forgiveness is simply wiping the slate clean and releasing the offender mentally and emotionally.
I do not believe that means the relationship is necessarily restored. Relationships are too complicated for a “one size fits all” approach to fellowship.
What forgiveness looks like…
Instead, forgiveness just means “I am not going to spend my life hating you.” It also means “I’m not going to walk around with the funk of what you did on me forever and ever.”
Instead, it’s your intentional (and often redundant) act of releasing the person who hurt you from the offense.
Can you do that? I think you can. You should because forgiveness makes life easier!
The Holy Spirit will help you. He has helped me, and in some cases, continues to help me with forgiveness.
Why? Because we have memories. Which means we often have to forgive more than once! It’s good to do it. Will you?
Let it go, Christian woman. Forgiveness makes life easier now and for your future.
Release that mother.
Release that father.
Release that child.
Release that husband.
Release that family member.
Release that sibling.
Release that “ex”.
Release that co-worker.
Release that pastor.
Release that church member.
Release that boyfriend.
Release that in-law.
Release that driver.
Release that woman.
Release that man.
Release that neighbor.
Release the Lord.
Yeah, Sis. Forgiveness makes life easier
One last thought…
Whomever you feel hurt you or let you down – release them now in Jesus’ name! Be whole. Be free! I promise forgiveness makes life easier. I’m proof of it and I’m learning more about it every day!
Keep your heart clean before your Father.
Forgive as He forgave you and your worship will be pure, free, and contagious… just like Angie’s.
Forgiveness simplifies my life. It helps me release grudges and emotional baggage that clutter my heart and mind. When I forgive, I free myself from resentment and open up to healing and growth.
Embracing forgiveness creates space for positivity and great experiences, allowing me to build better relationships with others and myself.
This strong move can totally change how I view past conflicts, allowing me to enjoy the present and look forward to the future with hope and positivity. In the end, forgiveness isn’t just something I do for others; it’s a crucial step toward my own peace of mind and happiness.
My final attempt to persuade you about the importance of forgiveness!
Did you know forgiveness has a powerful impact on our health—both mentally and physically?
Research shows that forgiving others can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and even decrease symptoms of depression.
According to a study published in The Journal of Behavioral Medicine, forgiveness is linked to improved cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure (Toussaint et al., 2014).
Listen, holding onto anger and resentment, on the other hand, triggers the body’s stress response, which can lead to chronic inflammation and weakened immunity.
When we forgive, we release emotional burdens that can weigh heavily on our minds and bodies. Another study from Psychology & Health found that people who practice forgiveness report better sleep and overall well-being (Lawler et al., 2005). Simply put, forgiving others is not just good for the soul—it’s healing for the body too.
Here are to questions about forgiveness I had:
These answers, like this entire blog, are based on my experience.
If I forgive, does that mean they get away with it?
No. The Bible says we reap what we sow. God is an avenger. Your act of forgiveness is obedience and to free you. Again, forgiveness makes life easier.
What if I cannot let it go?
You have to. If you are struggling with it, there is nothing wrong with seeking the help of a counselor to assist you in navigating forgiveness. Our brain is wired in certain ways. It’s helpful to talk to someone who can help you rewire it.
Thank you for reading!
I truly appreciate your support and interest in our content. Be sure to check out this Forgiveness article too.
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My sources:
- Toussaint, L., Shields, G. S., Dorn, G., & Slavich, G. M. (2016). Effects of lifetime stress exposure on mental and physical health in young adulthood: How stress degrades and forgiveness protects health. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(6), 1004–1014.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105314544132
Psst: This study explores how forgiveness moderates the effects of stress on mental and physical health outcomes. I told you forgiveness makes life easier! - Lawler, K. A., Younger, J. W., Piferi, R. L., Billington, E., Jobe, R., Edmondson, K., & Jones, W. H. (2005). A change of heart: Cardiovascular correlates of forgiveness in response to interpersonal conflict. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-005-1659-4
Psst again: This article demonstrates a link between forgiveness and improved cardiovascular responses, including lower blood pressure and heart rate. - Witvliet, C. V. O., Ludwig, T. E., & Vander Laan, K. L. (2001). Granting forgiveness or harboring grudges: Implications for emotion, physiology, and health. Psychological Science, 12(2), 117–123. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00320
Last time: This research shows how forgiveness makes life easier and leads to more positive emotions and reduced physiological stress responses.
