FORGIVING HEARTS, HEALING & HEALTH (2)

“I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you” – Exodus 15:26                  

Obedient and FORGIVING HEARTS are magnets of HEALING and HEALTH: “…If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you” (Exo.15:26). Enjoying God’s promises of Healing and Dominion over Diseases is predicated on obedience to His Instructions. Forgiveness is an act of Obedience: “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, FORGIVING one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph.4:32). True healing starts when we forgive those who hurt us. Then, God steps in and expedites the healing process. Refusing to forgive hinders healing and perpetuates a broken and miserable existence.

Forgiveness means to release an offender from bondage or imprisonment; to pardon sins and let go of the offender(s) as if they had never sinned. God is our Model of Forgiveness: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Heb.8:12). Forgiveness guarantees an unclogged channel for blessings of restoration, healing, and health to flow. Forgiveness is the key to healthy, strong, and lasting relationships. Forgiveness is so important, that our Lord Jesus said, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Mt.5:23-24).

Our Lord Jesus Christ also taught us to pray, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Mt.6:12). We may think our offenders don’t deserve forgiveness. But do we? No, we don’t. Our forgiving others should hinge on God’s gracious and generous forgiveness toward us; a forgiveness that is based on Christ’s merit, His death and His love for us. If we know anything about what Christ has done for us, then we should forgive others. Forgiven people should be forgiving people. And if we want to be healthy and vibrant spiritually and in all ways, then we must learn to forgive. Forgiveness is healthy; un-forgiveness is unhealthy and hurting. God’s Word teaches us to forgive so we can flourish in His Grace. Yes, it’s unnatural to forgive, especially when people really hurt us; but God says to forgive and be healed!

Un-forgiveness hurts! Negative emotions such as anger, bitterness, and un-forgiveness rot the heart, poison the soul, and weaken the body. The one who decides not to forgive someone who has wronged him or her will be the one to get hurt! Harbouring bitterness or resentment will hurt us more than the person we’re refusing to forgive. If we want to be healthy and vibrant spiritually, then we must learn to forgive. Those who hold grudges, keep scores, and cannot let things go, will ultimately have to endure avoidable stress and suffering in life. In many instances, their prayer life comes to a screeching halt, and demonic attacks and diseases turn them into easy prey.

The Almighty God who responded to Moses’s cry and showed him the tree of redemption that sweetened the bitter waters of Marah, is our God. He delights in our obedience, especially when we obey Him in challenging times, such as the hard situations of forgiving our offenders! Obedience to God is what makes our relationship with Him possible; it's the virtue that keeps us close to our heavenly Father. It’s always better to obey God. When we follow through with His instructions to forgive, we position ourselves for His blessings of peace and healing. It's only God who can restore our broken hearts, heal our wounded souls, and strengthen our weak and weary bodies. The road to recovery, healing, health, and restoration of Sweetness in Life starts with us forgiving others and obtaining God's Mercy.