The Dangers of Unforgiveness

Emotionally, forgiveness promotes healing and emotional well-being. It enables us to move past hurt and resentment, fostering empathy and understanding towards those who have wronged us. This emotional release can improve our mood, enhance our relationships, and increase our happiness.

Imagine a person walking down the same aisle as you at the grocery store, and they bump into you. The persons look back at you and say, “Oh, I am sorry. Forgive me.”

It is straightforward to forgive that person. It was an accident. And you won’t allow that little bump to ruin your day.

Now imagine a friend has wronged you. This friend has unintentionally said things that have hurt your feelings. You are aware this friend was having a bad week due to losing a loved one earlier this week. You tell your friend her words towards you hurt you, and she yells at you. The following week, she calls you and acts like the previous event has yet to occur. Can you forgive this friend who won’t admit their fault?

Imagine your parents were not good people. Your parents didn’t nurture you the way you thought your parents should have nurtured you. 

Imagine someone lying to you or stealing from you. Can you forgive them?

Imagine your father or grandfather molested you. Can you forgive them?

Well, since you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you do. According to Ephesians 4:31-32 “31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

I am not telling you to do something impossible. If you want a real-life example, let me give you a few. Pastor Joyce Meyers, forgive her dad for molesting her. She even brought him a house to live in. She talks about this openly. She didn’t forgive him because she wanted to. She forgave him because God told her she had to. God even told her to buy him a home. Can you imagine being raped and having to buy your rapist a home?

According to the book of Ephesians, we have to get rid of all bitterness. Bitterness is anger and disappointment at being mistreated;

How many people have ever been mistreated? A co-worker speaks badly and tries to tarnish your reputation. Guess what? You have to forgive them.

I gave you the definition of bitterness. Now, I am going to provide you with the definition of rage. Rage is violent, uncontrollable anger. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:26, 26 Be ye angry, and sin not. You can’t cruse people or put sugar in their tanks. What you can do is forgive them.

Brawling means to fight.  Slander means to lie to someone. Those characteristics should not be present in you, because we are followers of Jesus Christ.

So, I am a therapist. I talk to people all day long about what they have been through and are going through. The people I have personally seen with the worst depression and anxiety are those people with unforgiveness in their hearts. They hold on to the rage, anger, slander, and bitterness.

Forgiveness is good for her mental, physical, and spiritual health.

1.       Forgiveness activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System, which is good news for Your Heart! No one wants to have a heart attack.

2.       Forgiveness Helps Your Ruminate Less (Which Can Help Lower Risk of Psychological Disorders)

a.       Anxiety Disorders.

b.       Depression.

c.       Bipolar Disorder.

d.       Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ...

e.       Schizophrenia.

f.        Eating Disorders.

3.       Forgiveness Helps You Manage Stress

4.       Forgiving others begins the healing process.

I have taught everyone here, including myself, why we should forgive!

But now I am going to teach you how to forgive.