Forgiveness isn't just a nice concept. It's not just a spiritual obligation. It's actually how we're wired to heal. That’s right - God made you to forgive.

Here is a practical and prayerful understanding: Not by might nor by power can we fully forgive in our human capacity, but by the power of Christ surging through us. It is only in His power that we truly forgive. Truly extend grace, mercy, love, and, yes, forgiveness.

Scientific Research Shows That:
- When participants forgave, their heart rates decreased, their blood pressure dropped, and they exhibited less activity in their sweat glands—all indicators of reduced stress.
- forgiveness was linked to fewer physical symptoms of stress and better overall physical health.

This isn't just church talk. When you choose to forgive, your body experiences physiological changes.

Forgiveness literally heals your body.

Forgiveness is saying, "I'm no longer going to let what you did define me, control me, or determine my future."

Forgiveness is a powerful therapy.

Now, I want to be very clear about something. Forgiveness doesn't mean you have to reconcile with the person who hurt you. It doesn't mean you have to trust them again.

Forgiveness happens inside of you.
Reconciliation occurs between you and another person.
Forgiveness is for you. Reconciliation may or may not be possible, safe, or wise.

A 2008 study in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that forgiveness—even without reconciliation—was associated with lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone linked to heart disease, diabetes, and weakened immune function.

You're literally changing your biochemistry when you forgive.
How do we forgive when it feels impossible?

We must acknowledge that forgiveness is a process, often a season, not a one-time event. It's something we choose again and again.

Dr. Frederic Luskin at Stanford University has developed a forgiveness training program that has been tested in multiple studies. One of his key findings is that forgiveness is a skill that can be learned.

Instead of being defined by victimhood, they became survivors. Instead of their stories ending with hurt, their stories continued into healing.

When you forgive, forgiveness happens. When you don't forgive, forgiveness doesn't happen. And you're the one who gets stuck.

Forgiveness doesn't just remove the bad stuff—it opens the door for the good stuff to come in.

Why does forgiveness matter?

The Bible's big story is about reconciliation—about bringing things back together that have been torn apart. When we practice forgiveness, we're participating in this bigger story. We're doing the work of bringing healing to a broken world.

When forgiveness is connected to something bigger than ourselves, it becomes more powerful. AND, please remember. It is in the power of the Spirit of God that we can forgive in the first place.

Forgiveness is a Daily Choice.

Forgiveness isn't a one-time event. It's a daily choice. Sometimes it's a moment-by-moment choice.

Jesus isn't setting up a mathematical formula where you forgive 490 times and then, on offense 491, you can finally hold a grudge. He's saying forgiveness is a way of life. It's a habit. It's something we do repeatedly.

Forgiveness is a Daily practice. Not perfection. Practice.

Forgiveness is hard. Really hard.

Forgiveness doesn't replace justice or boundaries or healing. It's part of healing.

Sometimes, the bandages need to stay on for a while. Sometimes, the healing happens in stages. That's okay. Sometimes, we need a coach, a counselor, or a therapist - That’s why we created ClearPathCouseling.org

Don’t Miss The Promise of Peace.

When we forgive, we find peace. Not because the wrong didn't matter but because we're no longer giving it the power to define us.

The science is precise. Forgiveness heals us—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It's how we're designed to work.

And the scriptures are clear, as well. Forgiveness is at the heart of who God is and who God is inviting us to become.