There are several stories in the Bible that tell us when God's people obey him , they are in better physical and emotional shape . Remember , daniel and his friends refused to eat the rich food sent by the king . After several weeks of their own diet , they emerged healthier than other young men in the Babylonian kingdom .
So too , do we learn that an attitude of forgiveness leads to peace . In Matthew 18 , 21 to 22 , we read Lord , how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me ? Up to seven times . Jesus answered . I tell you , not seven times , but 77 times .
When Peter asked this , jesus was thinking not only of the person who was to be forgiven , but also about the well-being of Peter . We know from scripture that the hot-tempered Peter learned to temper his temper over time . Notice that the exchange between Peter and Jesus about forgiveness is an ongoing process . It isn't a one-time deal .
Being intentional about the art of practicing forgiveness ensures that we don't fall back into bad habits . A Journal of Behavioral Medicine study tells us that forgiving someone can reduce feelings of tension , anger , depression and fatigue . This leads to much better sleep patterns .
Another study provides evidence that forgiveness can lower blood pressure significantly , especially among spouses . An article in the Journal of Health Psychology provides a link between much lower stress levels and people who forgive . God knows us in every way . He created us .
In Philippians 4-7 we read and the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus , this comes in the form of a person who is willing to make a conscious choice to forgive and let grudges go . The enemy of our souls wants us to hang on to bitterness .
The God who created us and loves us wants to see us well along with those who have hurt us . Healing replicates itself and it starts with us . Let's pray Father . It's painful to watch someone who's locked down by unforgiveness . Help us model what it looks like to be healthy and whole when we forgive . In Jesus' name , amen , that's . K-e-r-u-s-s-o dot com .