by Eboigbe Percious

Created on: December 16, 2010   Last Updated: December 25, 2010

Benefits of Forgiveness

Have you ever quarrelled with some one, had serious disagreement or may be you wronged a dear friend or disclosed to someone else information confided to you? I bet you may have, so you acclimatize with this scenario; one morning as you hurried off to work you accidentally came in close contact with someone you wronged, or your phone rang only to find that the caller is your friend whom you’ve betrayed - you disclosed her confidentiality to someone else. Your heart jumped, pulse rate increased, you felt embarrassed and lost for words. How relieved you would feel when or if the person said “never mind its in the past now, I think you deserve a second chance”

We all certainly have the need to forgive and be forgiven; it is an essential part of living. What though is forgiveness?

The Toronto Star report defines it as “recognizing you have been wronged, giving up all resulting resentment, and eventually responding to the offending person with compassion and even love.” What a beautiful definition, it justly captures both sides.

The bible defines it as a godly quality, and likens it to the pardoning of a debtor and forgoing the dept for love sake. Mat (6:12) it is a quality that every servant of God must cultivate.

Benefits of forgiveness:

The benefits of forgiving others and been forgiven ourselves can not be over emphasised, let's start with the physical benefits.

According to scientists and researchers in the field of psychology, forgiveness eases stress, anxiety and depression. This is as reported by Professor Carl Thoresen of Stanford University, U.S.A., lead researcher for the Stanford Forgiveness Project. Another related research shows that forgiveness positively affected mental health of individuals.

It also,contributes to a cheerful ,calm and reserve  outlook of individuals, and  Fosters love amongst individuals especially those who have recently received or given forgiveness.

Benefits according to the bible:

The first and ultimate reason to forgive is stated in Jesus’ model prayer at mat 6:9 - 15 “forgive us our trespasses as we have forgiven others theirs.”   Verses 14 clarifies the point, “for if you forgive men their trespasses your heavenly father will forgive you also,” so if we don’t forgive, what a string of sins against God will hang on us, it is like holding a big sign over our head telling God we are not worthy of his loving consideration.

Forgiving others promotes good relations. The Bible urges Christians at Ephesians 4: 32 to become kind to one another..., freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you. How others will feel at home knowing that whatever mistake they may make will be forgiven them, and that you would not count it against them in future.

Forgiving others helps us to remember that we ourselves are sinners and need forgiveness. Because as the scriptures says  “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Forgiveness brings peace. This is not just peace with fellow humans, but inner peace as well; remember the scene painted at the outset? How relived you would feel when you can heartily greet every one, take every call and meet any one with a warm smile and happy outlook.

Forgiving others is certainly a blessing, but we would appreciate it more if we do not view it as a favour to others, but as of mutual benefits to all. Therefore as you celebrate the out going year, and welcome the new one, as you ditch old resolutions and make new ones, remember to list forgiveness as a quality to work on. 

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