Perceptions #45

"AN UNFORGIVING HEART CAN MAKE ONE SICK"

by Batsell B. Baxter

Here is a case history: "I think I must have been about 40 years old before it finally dawned on me that the reason for forgiving someone was not primarily as a favor to the person, but as a favor to myself. Forgiveness is the greatest act of self-interest in which you can possibly engage. When you forgive you quit committing suicide. A burden is lifted from your life. Happiness, together with a sense of release, comes. I developed a duodenal ulcer with a very severe hemorrhage before it really began to dawn on me that the person I was damaging most by my hatred and resentment was myself."

The Journal of the American Medical Association reported on a symposium in which a number of doctors participated in discussing the treatment of ulcerative colitis. The final recommendations for prevention and treatment placed strong emphasis upon faith, hope love and forgiveness. What a man holds in his heart has a great effect upon him spiritually, mentally and physically. Throughout the Bible man is urged not to let his heart or mind be dominated by the negative, destructive emotions of hatred, fear, guilt, or frustration. Christ's teachings are in opposition to these, but foster good mental, physical and spiritual health.

Norman L. Bales email is nlbales@allaboutfamilies.org

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