A Merry Heart Doeth Good

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Can you think of anyone that you haven't forgiven? We read in the bible about forgiving others, we know that it is right but we also know that it can be very hard to do. There have been numerous scientific studies that have been done on forgiveness and that it has been known to be beneficial to our health. It makes sense. When you are angry or holding a grudge, your food doesn't digest properly, you may eat faster and not even chew properly. You swallow air when you eat fast and it can cause digestion problems. You might even make bad choices of what to eat because of stress; you probably would eat more fast food.

Because of not forgiving someone, you might pray less or hardly ever, thus causing more stress. Bitterness can grow in your heart and even affect your immune system. If you think that forgiving someone is a really hard task, I assure you that it is much harder not to forgive them. You might say, "You don't know what they did to me or said to me", no I don't, but God does and he will help us forgive and overcome.

We hear all this talk about forgiveness, and usually it is about forgiving others. We also need to remember to forgive ourselves. Shame, guilt and anger can be root causes to depression and stress in which can in turn cause health problems. Forgive yourself today as well. God loves you for who you are and the way you are.

When you are offended or disappointed by others and allow the hurt to germinate in your heart, bitterness and resentment will eventually take root. The roots of resentment and bitterness are usually characterized by an unforgiving spirit, generally negative or critical attitudes. Bitterness and resentment are sinful and self-defeating. They will color your conscious and unconscious thoughts and actions. If allowed to fester, they will destroy and kill. (Galatians 5:19-21) However, they can be dispelled with love.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing... Luke 23:34

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:14-15

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. I Peter 2:23

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:14-21

Spiritual Assignment:

1. Write down all the people that you hold resentment or a grudge and don't forgive.(secretly or openly)

2. Beside their names- write the reasons why. Such as how they hurt you and what they did.

3. Pray for each thing one at a time that God will give you the strength and power to forgive them.

Dear Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I hold resentment and am bitter towards someone. I confess this as sin and ask for your forgiveness. Help me Lord not to hold any more grudges, resentment or bitterness in my heart. Help me love this person. I pray for their forgiveness as well. Thank you for listening and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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