Some people as they recall and rethink the offense caused by another, unconsciously reinforce the happening and the pain of it. Often, anger, bitterness or bizarre fragments of imagination and visualization become subjectively (unconsciously) programmed into our mind. Many scientists agree that mental responses whether emotional or intellectual are involved in our physical well being. Most doctors agree that emotions can affect every organ of the body. All will agree that primary emotions affect the body, for instance, the example of blushing from  shyness experienced in an  embarrassing encounter or pale with fright or hot with anger or sweaty with nervousness and so forth. 

     Diametrically, every physical state has emotional parts, for example, malaise, fogginess, or irritation as we experience a cold or the flu, etc. Many people experience a mind body reaction and are "paralyzed" with fear when they look down from a great height and realize they may fall. Some who ride the extreme roller coasters yell or scream from the emotional and physical stresses of the adventure. 

    The Bible speaks of humans as having spirit, soul and body. What I'm getting at is, I believe that mind and body are inseparable, in many instances, and that emotional stress can eat away not only in our minds, but also at the components of our bodies. Naturally, many health problems are organic in nature but a great many are psychosomatic, that is, they are caused by negative, internalized or unconscious emotions and attitudes.

     Many people are hastening illness and possibly early death by allowing negative emotions to seethe and fester in their unconscious minds. They may be setting in motion premature and damaging wear and tear on their bodies. Recently, scientists have been indicating that studies show people may carry genes that predispose them to mental or physical illness. This predisposition may not be triggered until high-risk behavior of unconscious, emotional stress enters the equation at which point apparently the genes become active.

     Jesus spoke these commands, " And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (Mark 11:25) 

    "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matt. 6:12-15)

     Webster's dictionary definition: forgive - 1  a :  to give up resentment of or claim to requital (revenge) for an insult   b :  to cease to feel resentment against  (an offender) or (~ones enemies) . forgiveness: forgiving - 1 : willing or able to forgive  2 : allowing room for error or weakness in others without seeking revenge.

     I refer to the dictionary definition of forgiveness because many people say, "Yes, I know I'm supposed to forgive others, but I can't forget." That means you won't forget and thus you are not really forgiving that person. People often do not know what forgiveness is. Further, I have in the past, accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and been launched into a new life in Christ, but like all who have begun this life, through the years, I have been only a work in progress. I have made some serious mistakes along the way, but have ended up turning from my sins and asking forgiveness of God. If I have hurt or offended any of you, please forgive me and pray for me.  
                 
      Lack of forgiveness harms us by eating away at our minds and bodies. In the Bible, Jesus makes it clear that God doe not approve of harboring resentment by our lack of forgiveness.. When we refuse to forgive someone, we are actually harboring or holding a grudge against that person. God sees this as sin, and makes it clear that if we can't forgive someone else, He will not forgive us. Remember, don't fall into Satan's trap -- painting "rosy expectations" of Christians or others -- especially those in leadership -- and deciding they must be "perfect" in all they do; it isn't rational or realistic and goes against what's taught in the Bible. But do pray for those who have temporary lapses in their behavior. Forgive others and you will be forgiven.

     Some people think that until someone who has hurt us apologizes and asks our forgiveness, we are at a standstill and not obligated to deal with the issue of forgiving the offender. Jesus commanded us to forgive. It would be good if the offender was to ask our forgiveness, but we don't wait around for that. We forgive in obedience to God's commands; God will deal with the offender to bring about a change in him or her. Jesus taught the solution in two verses. He reconciled us to God through His blood shed on the cross. As a result, he wants us to be reconciled to each other. This is the forgiveness solution for all who offend, insult, or otherwise hurt someone else or are hurt or slighted by another person.

    "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.  (Matthew 18:15)

     Q: What is sin?  A: The Bible gives no definition of sin, but relates it to an attitude, a rebellious ignoring of God's commands and "going one's own way." Sin is an action by which humans surrender to evil, temptation, or rebel, resist or put off surrendering to God. As a result these persons not only miss God's purpose for their lives, but they miss out on eternal life in heaven. The cause of human separation from God, the enormous moral and debilitating problems humans face in life are basically rooted in sin. 

   "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23, 24)

     Too often, when we are offended or someone sins against us, we continue to react with anger and bitterness allowing a grudge to build within us. It is contrary to Christ's commands to us. The anger and bitterness eats away at us and may well bring to pass life-threatening health problems. Further, the very sin  or offense committed against us may be something, we ourselves have done in our lives.  It may be that we are reaping what we ourselves have sown somewhere in our lives. 

     Harboring a lack of forgiveness is contrary to all that Jesus did by suffering on the Cross. How does our lack of forgiveness measure up to His forgiveness of our past, present and future sins against God and the people we come into contact with?  There are instances when we may not realize that we may have insulted or offended someone else, and perhaps have never apologized even when we are aware of it. So, how many times have we failed to apologize or ask forgiveness when we offend or hurt others?  

     Ask God to reveal these offenses you may have caused, or ask him to reveal any grudges you are holding against others. I have known instances when people have cleared these imprints from their hearts and minds and found relief and release from nagging emotional and physical problems. It is a matter of choosing to act upon God's commands. Here's the definition of forgiveness again: 

     To forgive means allowing room for error or weakness in others without seeking revenge for the insults, offenses or hurts they cause you. It means to forgive, to cease to feel resentment against an offender -- even your enemies. It means we don't hold a grudge against others. I see no  obligation in the Word that says a person must totally 'forget' an insult or offense against them, but most certainly we should not dwell on the offense and rehash it in our minds. 

     My darling, late wife, a spiritually born again Christian who died and went to be with the Lord in 1993, sometimes would remind me that we must allow people to change. Have you changed over the years? Wouldn't you omit some of the earlier mistakes you made if you had a second chance? I would. I have changed a lot. 

     Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"  Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Matt.18:21-22)

      One bad habit is to "jump to conclusions" without getting the facts. We may act this way out of ignorance or carelessness. Another reason stems from being wise in our own eyes and given to being hypercritical and judgmental. I refer to this mindset as "one size fits all" religion. If it doesn't fir our current position or thoughts, we toss it into the trash bin. Rather than communicate and ask questions when we need clarification, we  "jump" to reject something that threatens our own position. To choose the path of fight or flight is immature. We pray for God's help and healing, but are careless in how we examine ourselves in light of biblical truth. This verse has impact on the subject, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." (Proverbs 3:7)

     Jesus spoke and said, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Luke 6:41-42)

     There are many people we associate with, in our community and elsewhere, who may lack the intelligence or social graces to keep from insulting or offending those around them. Practice affirming to yourself that, "I will allow room for error or weakness in that person." You will please God and your attitude will be noted amongst those you work, socialize and perhaps worship with.

     Forgiveness has a lot to do with love -- loving your neighbor. To love your neighbor means to care for and show compassion towards other people. Show concern for them as you do for yourself. This is the kind of love the Bible speaks of when it says love your neighbor. Forgive- ness is cutting some slack for your neighbor giving him or her room for error or weakness. It speaks of kindness and patience in our relationships. We might say forgiveness and love are nearly the same thing. 

     The greatest love demonstrated in the universe is found in John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Christ died on the cross for you and me for the forgive ness of our sins.  He didn't have to do that, but voluntarily gave up his life -- suffering a cruel death -- because of his great love for us. To believers I pose the question, "If Christ paid such a price to forgive us, is it not cruel for us to allow ourselves to be mean and selfish by refusing to forgive someone who has hurt or offended us?"

     As I close this study, Let me assure you, God can and will work miracles in your life to help you. 

      If you haven't asked Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and invited him into your heart and life as your personal Lord and Savior, you are missing out on a lot of promises of help for your life.  Jesus died on the cross for you and wants you to invite him into your heart.. 1 Peter 3:9 says, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  He wants people to repent, that is, to change their heart and mind, ask his forgiveness and open the door of their heart to him.(Rev.3:20)     

    The first greatest miracle change in your life will happen when you cross the line and ask Jesus to take over the 'steering wheel' of your life. That's what it means to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord of your life.  “If you were standing before Jesus and he asked you ‘why should I let you into my kingdom?’ what would you say?  “The Bible says that we have all done wrong.”  “The Bible says the payment for doing wrong is Hell.” (Rom.6:23) But we get to go to heaven if we just ask.”   “Is there any reason why you would want to spend eternity in hell?”  I’m sure practically all of you are saying no!  GREAT!  Let me help you pray right where you are, Speak or whisper the words as we pray.   “Mean these words with your whole heart.”   

   “Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for all of the things I have done wrong. I acknowledge the fact that I am a sinner I ask for your forgiveness. . I repent, changing my heart and mind, I turn away from my sins. I open the door of my heart to you now, Jesus I place my faith in you Jesus who died for my sin and made a way for me to have eternal life.”  I ask you Jesus to come into my heart as my personal Savior and become the Lord of my life. Help me to live for you. Thank you Lord for this miracle that causes me to be spiritually born again.  Help me to live this new life, to obey your commands and do what pleases you.  Amen 

     If you prayed this prayer and meant it with all of your heart, you will have crossed over the line and accepted Jesus into your heart life.  In the Bible, the book of Revelation, chapter 3, verse 20 Jesus is speaking and says, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him, and he with me." When you invited Him to come into your heart and life, you can be certain Jesus keeps his promise, he has come into your heart by His Holy Spirit and you have become spiritually born again. You have become a 'forever' member of the family of God. You have crossed over from eternal death unto eternal life. (John 5:24). You can read more about being spiritually born again [given a new life] in Christ. See: John 3:3-5 Jesus told Nicodemus all about it.

[Rick's prayer for you] -- Lord Jesus, I ask you, now, to heal the many people who need healing and are reading this message. And by the authority of the name of Jesus Christ, I speak to the many who need deliverance from addictions or other problems: spirit, mind or body and I say to them, "Jesus sets you free" Believe, receive and serve Him with all of your heart. and mind.  Thank you God for your great mercy and compassion. So be it.

     You will find a click here link to a new believers Bible study I have written; it is on the RKL2.org home page about the middle of the page or below. 

      If an individual rejects Christ, then God may refuse his help with the problem in that person's life. It follows that in our earthly lives, we may also be denied help or favor if, as true believers, we behave with disobedience or rebellion.
        
 
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