Forgiveness is Healthy

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Here's a couple quotes from an article entitled, "Forgiveness is Healthy:"

Hard science can back up the religious tenet of forgiveness, even in the most extreme settings. "Forgiveness is not just a state of mind," Jina Moore writes for Search magazine, “it’s a physiological reality. And, scientifically speaking, it’s good for us.” Researchers have found that grief, anger, and anxiety can all be mitigated through forgiveness, and can the act lead to better health for both the forgiver and the forgiven.

“Forgiveness and reconciliation are work,” writes Moore. The person forgiving needs to both empathize and decide—consciously or unconsciously—that the person asking for pardon is deserving of forgiveness. In fact, in terms of the health benefits , Moore writes the science shows “it is as important why you forgive as that you forgive at all.”

I'm so glad that God didn't wait for me to be "deserving" before DECIDING to forgive me! This truth is one of the foundational principles of Christianity. He forgave because He loves me -- not because I was deserving.

Also, don't you love it when science arrives at a conclusion that Scripture pointed us to thousands of years ago? Secular science has determined it's healthy to forgive! Remember the words of the prayer our Lord taught us: "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

So what's that got to do with leadership? Leaders set the tone for organizations. Leaders who forgive with no reservation help create healthy individuals AND healthy organizations. Let's also clarify: to forgive completely doesn't mean I put someone in a position of responsibility that has betrayed trust and/or abused their authority. However, I can forgive and set people free from the chains that bind them to their past failures. Many times people who have tried and failed turn out to be strong team members when I help them move forward with the valuable insight they gain from hard knocks.

The Apostle Peter denied he even knew Christ! After Jesus restored Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Peter became the foundation Christ built his church on. Jesus turned Peter from a failure into an apostle with 1) a question, 2) Peter's answer, and 3) Christ's command:

1. "Peter, do you love me?"
2. "Lord, you know I love you."
3. "Then, feed my sheep!"