Forgive Like Your Health Depends Upon It

“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23–24 (NKJV)

God really challenged me in the devotional series on The Lord’s Prayer and especially the one we titled: Forgive Us Our Debts.

Although walking it out has been painful, the experience of choosing forgiveness has been nothing short of life-altering. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. To say forgiveness is powerful is an understatement.

True forgiveness empowers us in ways we could never anticipate. No wonder the enemy works so hard to keep us bound in bitterness—he doesn’t want us to experience the life-giving freedom that comes from forgiveness. And it’s not just spiritual. Science also agrees. A Johns Hopkins Medicine article titled “Forgiveness: Your Health Depends On It” lays out the surprising health benefits of forgiveness:

“Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap huge rewards for your health—lowering the risk of heart attack; improving cholesterol levels and sleep; and reducing pain, blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and stress…forgiveness…calms stress levels, leading to improved health.”

God already knew all of this—because He designed us. Forgiveness is part of His blueprint for healing—body, mind, and spirit. So what keeps us from forgiving?

One word: pride.

We assume that, as the one who was wronged, we should not have to forgive first. We want justice. We want the offender to come to us. We want them to recognize the damage and feel remorse. But this kind of pride stands in direct opposition to Christ’s teaching. Jesus said that reconciliation must come before worship.

“Leave your gift at the altar… go be reconciled… THEN come offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:24 paraphrased)

If we want to live in intimate fellowship with God, we must be willing to humble ourselves and take the first step—even when we are the one who was wronged. Pride blocks our prayers, chokes out our joy, and short-circuits our healing. Scripture is clear:

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)

When we accepted the gift of salvation, we became temples of the Holy Spirit. That means the power to forgive doesn’t come from us. It comes from Christ living in us. Sometimes, the hurt is so deep that the only prayer we can muster is:

“God, I can’t forgive this person—it hurts too much.
But I want to obey You. Please help me forgive.”

And He will. He always does.

If anyone understands betrayal, it’s Jesus. He was rejected by His closest friends, falsely accused, beaten, humiliated, and nailed to a cross—yet He prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) When we cry out for His help to forgive, He floods us with grace. He gives us the supernatural ability to release our pain and receive His peace.

Forgiveness restores hope—and hope heals us from the inside out.

God has forgiven each of us more than we will ever be asked to forgive anyone else. He will help us forgive, and, thus, our pain will magnify His grace for His glory.

Reflection Question:

Is there someone in your life you need to forgive—but pride, fear, or pain is holding you back? Ask God to show you, and then invite Him to help you take the first step toward reconciliation.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for forgiving me when I didn’t deserve it. Thank You for the mercy and grace that You poured out on the cross through Jesus Christ. Lord, I confess my pride and the bitterness I’ve been holding onto. I don’t want anything to stand between me and You. Please help me forgive those who have wronged me. Heal my heart, restore my joy, and teach me to walk in love. Make me more like You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.