Comments on: On the Surprising Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Forgiveness https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/ Anita Mathias's Blog on Faith and Art Sun, 29 May 2016 17:20:30 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/#comment-63622 Sun, 29 May 2016 17:20:30 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=66383#comment-63622 In reply to David C Brown.

Thanks, David. I haven’t seen them, but am off to google now. Thank you for pointing me in their direction. BTW, I’ve had coffee with Malcolm a couple of times, and he is as inspiring in real life as in his poetry

]]> By: David C Brown https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/#comment-63621 Sat, 28 May 2016 21:22:55 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=66383#comment-63621 Very helpful, and as said, always needed. Did you see Malcolm Guite’s recent lines:?
We set the limits on our own forgiveness;
As generous or grudging as we are.

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/#comment-63618 Fri, 20 May 2016 19:43:49 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=66383#comment-63618 In reply to Jeena.

“I feel so light!”
What a lovely story; love it! Thank you so much for sharing it!

]]> By: Jeena https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/#comment-63617 Fri, 20 May 2016 04:38:14 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=66383#comment-63617 This article is very relevant – to everyone and at all times. Thank you for posting this. I wish to give a personal account of my journey of unforgiveness against my parents:

I too have gone through months and years of unforgiveness. When I look back, all that built up a lot of bitterness, helplessness and arguments in my life. This even reflected in our husband-wife relationship. Then there came a time when God intervened in my life. I was told that I MUST forgive as God forgave. Sadly, the problem still lingered… in fact, for years. I wrestled to forgive, but a part of my heart was still unwilling. On one of those days, I got a revelation that totally changed my state – I realized that my unforgiveness can seep through me to my posterity. What I mean is that – my bitterness, when it comes out through my words and actions (even those inadvertant ones) will be noticed by my children and will affect their attitude towards the world. It came as a shock to me. I did not want to be held responsible for the physical and mental wounds that I might leave to the coming generation. This changed my view from within to the outside world.

Well then, I genuinely decided to forgive. My heart was 100% willing then. So, God helped me forgive – with his grace – which felt like a magic wand that worked when I was fully willing.

Now, whenever, I think of all the hurt, I dont feel a thing – I sense the work of God in helping me forgive. I feel so light!

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/#comment-63616 Thu, 19 May 2016 23:26:23 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=66383#comment-63616 In reply to Bev Murrill.

Thanks, Bev! I too have struggled with forgiveness, and have paid the price! I now find the five step process so helpful that I go through it whenever negative memories surface, whether little or huge.

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/#comment-63615 Thu, 19 May 2016 23:21:20 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=66383#comment-63615 In reply to Mollie Lyon.

Thanks Mollie, and thanks for your message too, to which I will reply. Much love, friend!

]]> By: Bev Murrill https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/#comment-63614 Thu, 19 May 2016 20:07:24 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=66383#comment-63614 Great job, Anita… Thanks for this. I know that the issue of forgiveness has been a key one for me for many years, since the Lord explained to me that it was an area I needed to sort out. That was early in my life and I have become a forgiver, but it has not been without having some massive struggles. Interesting that the Lord has led me through some similar steps… Not the same, but some quite similar and it has been an instrument of breakthrough.

]]> By: Mollie Lyon https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/#comment-63613 Thu, 19 May 2016 13:38:22 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=66383#comment-63613 Love this and it is very timely for me.

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/#comment-63612 Wed, 18 May 2016 16:55:44 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=66383#comment-63612 In reply to Patty Schell.

Yes, I am finding it helpful to go through the steps for each injury and grievance I remember–when it comes to mind rather than go on a fishing expedition to find it. I do immediately feel lighter…as the article says!

]]> By: Patty Schell https://anitamathias.com/2016/05/18/on-the-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-forgiveness/#comment-63611 Wed, 18 May 2016 13:03:25 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=66383#comment-63611 Thank you for lining out the steps for forgiveness. I believe most people do not know the abuse they are putting on the whole being–mind, body and soul–when they don’t or can’t forgive. If this were an ailment, they would seek out a treatment to be healed. Here’s the prescription.

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