How To Practice Forgiveness In Daily Life

Hello! It’s John and please allow me to say: Welcome & Thank You for Your Interest in How to Practice Forgiveness in Daily Life for growing your relationship with God!
I am a Licensed and Ordained Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a man transformed by the Love, Power, Promises, and Word of God…It’s my mission to share insights into The Way, The Truth, and The Life, so that you may also enjoy the Fruits of the Spirit — Let’s Grow!!!

A Scriptural Call to Forgive Ourselves and Others

Forgiveness is a central theme in the Bible, emphasized as a divine command and a path to healing. Jesus teaches us to forgive others as we have been forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15), showing that forgiveness is not just an option but a requirement for a healthy and fulfilling spiritual life.

Ephesians 4:32 informs us,  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. This centers on the idea that the foundation of our kindness and compassion lies in our ability to forgive.

And let’s not forget Mark 11:25 which declares, Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. This verse emphasizes that forgiving others is intertwined with receiving God’s forgiveness.

Keeping these teachings in mind, it’s essential to remember that forgiveness must begin with us. If you’re weighed down with guilt or regret, or any other self-inflicted negative emotion, it’s hard to extend genuine forgiveness to others.

Picture carrying a heavy backpack filled with rocks. Each rock represents a grudge, guilt, or negative feeling, you have against yourself. While you shoulder that weight, your journey is hard and exhausting.

When we cannot forgive ourselves, even when knowing that Jesus will, and has, forgiven us, we are not only a burden to ourselves, but we are far more likely to view others in a negative and harsh light.

Furthermore, just as harboring resentment toward others can poison our hearts, holding onto guilt or self-condemnation can hinder our spiritual growth. True forgiveness begins with releasing ourselves from the chains of self-blame, understanding that we are forgiven in Christ (Ephesians 1:7), and extending that grace to others.

But when you start forgiving yourself, one rock at a time, the load gets lighter and you can move forward more freely and joyfully.

The beautiful thing about forgiveness is that it’s transformative. It’s like a ripple effect. Start with yourself and watch it change how you interact with everyone else. Suddenly, you find it easier to extend grace to others because you’ve first extended it to yourself. Matthew 18:21-22 captures this well when Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him. Jesus responds, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. This underscores an endless capacity for forgiveness, a concept that starts within.

We will explore in this article, the biblical foundation of forgiveness, the importance of proper judgment among believers, and the profound mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical benefits of a forgiving heart.

Judging Correctly vs. Condemnating Judgment

Judgment and condemnation often get tangled up together, but the Bible provides clear distinctions between the two.

Judging others is often misunderstood as an act of condemnation. The Bible, however, encourages a different kind of judgment—a discerning one, seeking to strengthen and uplift, rather than tear down.

Jesus differentiated between these forms of judging very clearly. He urged us to judge correctly while warning against judging with condemnation.

• John 7:24—Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.
  This scripture teaches us that our assessments should be thoughtful, fair, and rooted in compassion, avoiding snap judgments based on incomplete or superficial information.

• Matthew 7:1-2—Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
• Matthew 7:5—You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
• 1 Corinthians 5:12—What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
• Galatians 6:1—Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
  This verse emphasizes restoration and gentleness over harsh judgment, aiming to guide and uplift rather than condemn.

We are called to judge the condition of other believers, not in condemnation, but in love, helping one another grow in faith. Judging correctly isn’t about casting anyone aside or deeming them unworthy; it’s about discernment and knowledge of Scripture to encourage, strengthen, and uplift others.

This kind of judgment is not about superiority. It is about humility and concern for the spiritual well-being of others.

Mental Benefits of Forgiveness

1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Forgiving others and oneself leads to a significant reduction in mental stress and anxiety. Holding onto grudges or guilt creates emotional tension and worry.

• Unforgiveness keeps the mind in a state of hyper-alertness; expending enormous amounts of energy in continually rehearsing past wrongs.
• Letting go frees the mind to focus on more positive and productive thoughts.
• A peaceful mind fosters clarity and solid decision-making.

Holding onto grudges is like carrying a mental burden that weighs on you daily. Letting go, genuinely forgiving, can lift that weight, reducing stress and anxiety. Imagine feeling lighter, more relaxed, and even sleeping better at night, because you’ve allowed those negative feelings to dissipate, or taken the necessary steps to alleviate them.

2. Improved Cognitive Function

Carrying emotional baggage weighs down mental performance. Studies show that forgiveness can enhance cognitive function by clearing away mental distractions caused by bitterness.

• Forgiving helps us concentrate better.
• It reduces the mental toll of holding grudges.
• A forgiving mindset promotes creativity and openness to new ideas.

When you’re not obsessing over past hurts, the mind can focus on more productive thoughts and activities. Forgiveness can improve your memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. It’s like clearing out the mental clutter; giving your brain more room to work efficiently.

3. Greater Emotional Resilience

Forgiving others builds emotional strength, making it easier to deal with future challenges.

• It fosters emotional maturity.
• Forgiving people know how to handle conflict with grace.
• Emotional wounds heal faster because of a forgiving heart.

Practicing forgiveness builds emotional resilience. It gives you a toolkit to handle future conflicts and setbacks more efficiently and profoundly. Instead of holding onto anger or hurt, you will process emotions healthily. This resilience forms a buffer against emotional disturbances, making you more adaptable and robust despite the seriousness of the challenges.

Practical Tips: Start small. Forgive minor transgressions first. Gradually, you’ll find it easier to tackle more significant issues.
Journaling can also help. Write down your feelings and the reasons you want to forgive. Seeing your thoughts on paper can clarify your emotions and make the process feel more manageable.

So, next time you find yourself stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts, take a step back and think about forgiveness. It’s not just about the other person; it’s a gift to yourself, allowing you to reclaim your peace of mind and mental freedom.

Emotional Benefits of Forgiveness

1. Healing from Emotional Pain

Forgiving others and oneself helps to heal deep emotional wounds, leading to a sense of peace and closure.

• Forgiveness allows us to release anger and resentment.
• Emotional pain is replaced with compassion and understanding.
• Healing begins when we let go of the hurt.

Emotional wounds can run deep, leaving scars that are hard to ignore. When you hold onto resentment, those wounds stay open, constantly reminding you of past pain. Forgiveness acts like a salve, helping to close these wounds and promoting emotional healing. Think of it as nursing a physical injury—proper care can lead to recovery, but neglect can result in lingering pain and infection.

2. Enhanced Relationships

A forgiving heart fosters healthier and stronger relationships by removing barriers to communication and trust.

• Forgiveness strengthens bonds between people.
• It encourages open communication and honesty.
• Compassion replaces judgment, allowing love to grow.

Harboring grudges will negatively impact your relationships with friends, family, or coworkers. Forgiveness helps to mend these connections, allowing for more open communication, mutual respect, and trust.

Imagine lifting a barrier between you and others, making way for deeper, more meaningful interactions. Imagine it, and then make it happen with your act of forgiveness, and experience the reward of basking in the reality of a barrier-free relationship.

Remember: No one controls your ability to forgive, except you… You can do it or not do it. It is, after all, just a decision you make: one way or the other.

3. Reduced Feelings of Isolation

Holding grudges or self-condemnation creates emotional and social distancing and isolation. Forgiving others, and also oneself leads to much deeper connections with others.

• Forgiveness creates a sense of community.
• It breaks down walls of emotional isolation.
• Relationships are enriched with love and understanding.

Holding onto anger and resentment can create a sense of isolation. You might push people away, intentionally or not, out of fear of being hurt again. Forgiving helps to break down these walls, fostering a sense of community and connection. You become more open to building and sustaining relationships, reducing that feeling of being alone.

Practical Tips: Start by acknowledging your emotions. It’s okay to feel hurt, or angry, just don’t let those feelings control your actions.
Talk to someone you trust about what you’re going through. Sometimes, just expressing your feelings can lighten the load, and often people will have very positive input on ways to proceed and ways not to.
Consider forgiveness as a gift to yourself. Freeing yourself from emotional baggage allows you to move forward with a lighter heart. It puts the pep back in your step.

Spiritual Benefits of Forgiveness

1. Alignment with God’s Will

Forgiveness is a divine command, and we align ourselves with God’s instructions, by forgiving others.

• Forgiving others aligns us with a higher purpose, reflecting divine qualities of grace and mercy.
• A heart free from bitterness is more open to receiving love, guidance, and spiritual wisdom, and offers it to others more freely.
• We create space, through forgiveness, for deeper spiritual growth and a more peaceful relationship with the divine and those interacting with us.

It is God’s Will that we rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), So, unforgiveness prohibits us from being in the center of God’s Will. It. seriously impedes our ability to comply with the Royal Command to Love others.

Practical Tips: Start thanking God for whoever has done whatever it is; that thing, or those things, that placed unforgiveness in your heart—even if you do not mean it, and cannot have heartfelt gratitude while obeying the command to give thanks for the circumstance(s).
1 Samuel 15:22 declares that obedience is better than sacrifice. Additionally, service to God that is easy, does not impress the Lord (Luke 6:32-36).
Forgive them and thank God for what they have done. They will have provided the opportunity for you to Obey the Lord when it was the hardest thing in the world to do. God will certainly honor that and then watch how your situation changes in Kindom Fashion.

2. Strengthening of Faith

Forgiveness will strengthen our faith; bitterness, resentment, the need to punish? All will keep us out of the Center of God’s Will—where true joy, thankfulness, and the ability to pray in the right spirit, reside.

• Forgiveness deepens our faith by reminding us of the grace and mercy we’ve been granted and have experienced in the past.
• Letting go of grudges strengthens trust in a higher justice, knowing that all things will be made right in time and that God works all things for the good (Romans 8:28).
• A forgiving spirit removes the desire for revenge, allowing faith to flourish and grow to replace it.

Remember: Vengence is Mine Sayeth the Lord (Romans 12:19). He is the ultimate Judge, Jury, and Distributor of Justice… Only He can accurately judge the totality of circumstances for all parties. Only He knows what everyone is going through; He is the only one capable of deciding when, where, and to what proportion, mercy should be granted or withheld.

Practical Tips: Have Faith that God is working all things to the good (Romans 8:28). Remember: We are called to love even our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44), and ask yourself–in every situation, all the time–Where is the love in what I am doing? If you cannot see, or find, the love in what you are doing, then what you are doing has no love in it—and it, therefore, cannot be of, or from, God.

3. Liberation from Spiritual Bondage

Unforgiveness is a spiritual prison–a stronghold–trapping us with anger and resentment. But Jesus has the keys to every prison, every lock, every chain, and every dilemma—and forgiveness is one of the main keys that set us free from self-captivity.

• Forgiveness liberates us from spiritual oppression.
• It opens the door to a deeper spiritual connection with the source of Love and everything else: God, the Creator.
• Peace, joy, and gratitude are restored in a forgiving heart.

Remember: forgiveness is often a process, not a one-time event. Give yourself grace as you work through it, but keep at it, until you reap the benefits of a non-bitter heart and a genuinely loving soul.

Practical Tips: Start by reflecting on all the times you’ve been forgiven and how it impacted your joy; how you rejoiced and felt the immediate effects of the unburdening that came with the forgiveness…
This helps build empathy and understanding toward others. It contributes to a healthy environment for all parties concerned.
It’s sometimes, and maybe often, difficult, and that’s OK. We are all a work in progress…
Practice small acts of forgiveness daily, starting with minor offenses to strengthen your ability to forgive larger ones.
Seek guidance through prayer, meditation, or journaling, to process hurt and anger before moving toward forgiveness.
Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage forgiveness and help you get past negative emotions.

Physical Benefits of Forgiveness

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, our health depends on forgiveness, and the findings of the Mayo Clinic are in complete agreement with Johns Hopkins.

You can read the complete article and in-depth findings by clicking this link: Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness. The article contains the following list of health benefits enjoyed when practicing forgiveness as a way of life:

• Healthier relationships.
• Improved mental health.
• Less anxiety, stress, and hostility.
• Fewer symptoms of depression.
• Lower blood pressure.
• A stronger immune system.
• Improved heart health.
• Improved self-esteem.

1. Improved Cardiovascular Health

Research has shown that people who forgive experience lower blood pressure and improved heart health.

• Forgiveness reduces stress, lowering blood pressure.
• It promotes relaxation and better heart function.
• A forgiving heart leads to a healthier body.

Anger and resentment can take a toll on your heart. Studies show that harboring grudges is linked to higher blood pressure and increased heart rate. Letting go of negative emotions through forgiveness can lower these risks, promoting a healthier heart. Think of it as giving your heart a much-needed break from constant stress.

2. Boosted Immune System

Harboring bitterness can weaken the immune system. Forgiveness strengthens it by reducing stress hormones.

• Lower stress means a stronger immune response.
• Forgiveness boosts overall physical health.
• It promotes healing and recovery.

Chronic stress from holding onto anger weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses. Forgiveness, however, can boost your immune response by reducing stress levels. It’s like giving your immune system a power-up, helping it to fend off colds, infections, and other health issues more effectively.

3. Increased Longevity

People with forgiving attitudes tend to live longer, healthier lives due to reduced stress and healthier relationships.

• Forgiving people experience lower rates of chronic illness.
• Reduced stress leads to a longer life expectancy.
• A forgiving heart contributes to overall well-being.

Increased Longevity: Forgiveness can even affect how long you live. By reducing stress and fostering a more positive outlook, forgiveness contributes to overall healthier living. Some research suggests that people who practice forgiveness tend to live longer, more fulfilling lives. It’s not just about adding years to your life but also adding life to your years.

For a study of multiple types of forgiveness as predictors of mortality and potential psychosocial, spiritual, and health mechanisms of the effects of forgiveness on longevity, read the article, Forgive to live: forgiveness, health, and longevity, from the Library of Medicine (PubMed).

Practical Tips: Incorporate forgiveness into your daily routine. Meditate on forgiveness, pray, or practice deep-breathing exercises while visualizing letting go of grudges. Physical activity like stretching or walking can also help manage stress and foster a forgiving mindset. Make forgiveness a part of your self-care, like a balanced diet or regular exercise, and reap the physical benefits.

Conclusion

Forgiveness is not merely an instruction and command from God, but also key to mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. Whether forgiving others or ourselves, the not-so-simple–but oh-so-worthwhile–practice of releasing bitterness, opens the door to healing, peace, and growth.