"And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive."
(Luke 17.4
NRSV)
When Hubert French was 10 years old his father was shot and killed by an unknown assailant. Hubert took an attitude of vengeance against his father's assailant. Years later, in midlife Hubert was diagnosed with a neurological disorder. He was hospitalized, and eventually placed on heavy medication. He was told it was his only hope. Doctors informed him he would be on medication the rest of his life. But Hubert's condition continued to deteriorate. After several years on medication Hubert was totally disabled. It was when he was at his lowest point that he began to examine the feelings he had at the time of his father's death. Hubert began attending church and reading the Bible. The process was slow and often painful but he began forgiving the man who killed his father. And guess what? After a while the doctors were able to take him off his medication completely. Soon after that, his neurological disturbances disappeared. It has been 12 years now. The problem has never returned.
When we harbor negative feelings, when we are unable to forgive another person for what they have done to us, we are the ones who suffer most. It takes a toll on us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Healing takes place when we are able to forgive.
Dear Jesus, thank you for healing my soul. As I have been forgiven, help me to forgive. Amen.
Ron
Newhouse
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