I'm so glad you joined me on today's weekday podcast. I'm Chuck Allen. And today let's talk about the radical benefits of forgiveness. Why it's not just a spiritual practice, but a life changing force backed by scripture and science. So let's start with the words of Jesus. And you've heard me use these a lot over the last two weeks. In Matthew chapter 6:14, if you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. Forgiveness is this ancient, almost subversive idea. It sounds so simple. Just forgive, right? I mean, does that make sense? But it's anything but easy. It's radical because it goes against our human instincts to hold on to things, to protect ourselves, to keep score, to. To treat it like we do everything else. A competition. I'll get even, or, you know, I'll never forgive. And we, we just hang on to it. And when we do, it's fascinating what happens. We have these root systems that build down in our soul that are like roots that come up underneath a driveway and before long, like the driveway crack, so does our soul. Everything cuts against our human instinct to forgive. But Jesus says forgive not just once, but over and over. As a matter of fact, he says 70 times 7 in Matthew 18. Forgiveness is not a one time, then it's a way of living. Jesus is not saying it. You know, offense number 491. You can get all ticked off and beat the fool out of somebody. He's saying that this is the way we live. We never stop forgiving. But why? Why does Jesus keep coming back to forgiveness? Here's where it gets interesting. Science is catching up to what scripture has been saying all along. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that forgiveness isn't just good for your soul, it's good for your body. People who forgive have lower risks of heart attack, lower blood pressure, less anxiety, less depress, less stress. They sleep better, their immune systems are stronger. You see, the act of forgiveness literally rewires your brain and your body for better health. I don't know anybody that doesn't need better health. Harvard researchers found that when you let go of grudges, your stress levels drop and your mental health improves. Forgiveness breaks the cycle of chronic stress that damages our hearts and our minds. It's like releasing a weight you didn't even know you were carrying. Paul writes in Ephesians, chapter four, be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving, just as God, through Christ has forgiven you. You've heard that repetitively over the past few weeks. I keep want to mention it to you because it's such a powerful verse for us to live our lives through. Forgiveness isn't something we do for others. It's something we do for ourselves. It's for our own freedom. When we forgive, we step into a new story. A story of hope, healing and possibility. And here's the thing. Forgiveness is for everybody. Science shows that even those who've experienced deep seated wounds, things like abuse and betrayal and loss, they can access these same benefits and receive the joy. The more we practice forgiveness, the more our brains and our bodies change for the good. We become more resilient, we become more hopeful. And you know what, folks? We become more alive.
So what? What do we do with this? Well, maybe today you're carrying something. A grudge, a hurt, a wound. But what if you could lay all that down? What if forgiveness isn't about excusing what happened, but setting yourself free? Jesus invites us into this radical way of being. He says, forgive as you have been forgiven. And science says when you do, that's going to change your life. So take a breath and let's name what needs to be forgiving today. And let's step into the freedom that forgiveness brings. Thanks for joining me today. This is the weekday podcast and I'm Chuck Allen. I look forward to chatting with you next time. God bless.
