If we are not forgiving, we condemn those who wrong us, hold onto and nurture hard feelings, desire to punish and censure, and keep a record of others’ sins.
The unwillingness to forgive others can increase blood pressure and heart rate as well as dramatically increase levels of depression, anxiety, and anger. Remaining bitter can add stress and fatigue to your life, as you are not leading or experiencing an enjoyable life.
Enemies of Forgiveness
• LIVING IN THE PAST – A person may hurt us only once, but we enlarge and prolong the pain when we live in the past.
• NEEDING AN APOLOGY – Forgiveness is a one-way street. If we feel we are entitled to an apology or an acknowledgment of the wrong, we will find it difficult to go down that street.
• THE POWER OF ANGER – Anger is strangely satisfying – for a time. It gives us power and control; however, anger will destroy our own freedom and peace.
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