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In seeing a face contorted with anger and unforgiveness and with hands clenched, I found myself reflecting on the physical aspects of unforgiveness. We can say we forgive, we can genuinely believe we forgive but then our face and body language reveal otherwise, as does our health. I have witnessed back ache, deafness, chronic fatigue, disorders of internal organs etc as physical consequences of unforgiveness. Happily, the reverse holds true as true forgiveness gives us Jesus's supernatural peace, a sense of release and improved health. When Jesus commanded complete forgiveness (see Matthew 18:22) He used the Greek word 'aphiēmi' meaning to completely let go, send away, the permanent cancelling of a debt and the legal release of a prisoner. The same word is used in The Lord's Prayer (see Matthew 6:12), and when describing the disciples leaving their fishing nets to follow Jesus (see Matthew 4:22). We need to completely forgive, knowing that God completely forgives us when we turn to Him. He is waiting constantly for us so that He can extend full mercy and grace towards us.
By Stephanie HawkinsIn seeing a face contorted with anger and unforgiveness and with hands clenched, I found myself reflecting on the physical aspects of unforgiveness. We can say we forgive, we can genuinely believe we forgive but then our face and body language reveal otherwise, as does our health. I have witnessed back ache, deafness, chronic fatigue, disorders of internal organs etc as physical consequences of unforgiveness. Happily, the reverse holds true as true forgiveness gives us Jesus's supernatural peace, a sense of release and improved health. When Jesus commanded complete forgiveness (see Matthew 18:22) He used the Greek word 'aphiēmi' meaning to completely let go, send away, the permanent cancelling of a debt and the legal release of a prisoner. The same word is used in The Lord's Prayer (see Matthew 6:12), and when describing the disciples leaving their fishing nets to follow Jesus (see Matthew 4:22). We need to completely forgive, knowing that God completely forgives us when we turn to Him. He is waiting constantly for us so that He can extend full mercy and grace towards us.