by Dr. Don Colbert
Corrie ten Boom survived the Nazi concentration camps during World War II. She often talked about the hate she harbored for years toward the German guards who abused her during that horrible ordeal. She also talked about the healing she experienced when she was finally able to forgive them. She often stated, regarding survivors of the Holocaust, it was those who were able to forgive who were best able to rebuild their lives. In my book Deadly Emotions, I wrote a chapter on the damaging effects of resentment and bitterness. Along with worry, fear, anger and depression, resentment and bitterness can take a massive toll on your health.
All of us feel victimized at times. It may be the result of someone intentionally hurting us or a random accident. It may be a major life changing event such as losing your job, being robbed or having a heart attack. Or it may be something less traumatic such as someone criticizing you behind your back or missing a promotion. It may be a general sense of how unfair life is or something far more personal involving family or friends. We may even feel bitterness toward God.
Regardless of who or what hurts us, it’s normal to feel resentment and bitterness. It’s normal to be angry and even desire some type of vindication. But when does it become a health issue? Part of the answer has to do with how long we maintain the negative emotional state. A few minutes or even a few days of bitterness and resentment are probably insignificant to most people, but months and years of bitterness and resentment are a different story. There are numerous studies linking long term resentment and bitterness to multiple diseases of both the mind and the body. A burst of chemicals being released during short periods of pain, frustration and disappointment may actually benefit us in some ways; but lower amounts of these same chemicals being released steadily over months and years negative emotion can lead to cancer, heart disease and mental illness in most people if not managed appropriately.
How can you protect your health when faced with unfair and undeserved suffering and mistreatment? First, remain optimistic and hopeful. This is where your faith in a loving Creator becomes so important. As the Psalmist says, “Weeping may remain for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Remember, everything comes to pass, nothing comes to stay. Even in the face of death, there is hope in Him who conquered death. Those who remain hopeful and optimistic during challenging and painful times live longer and healthier than those who surrender to pessimism and despair.
Secondly, and just as importantly, learn to forgive. The most often quoted prayer in scripture contains the words, “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.” Learning to forgive is a key to good health. The act of forgiveness not only stops the onslaught of harmful chemicals described above, it also releases health promoting chemicals.
For most people forgiveness happens over time and with some degree of effort. It may be cultivated with the help of a counselor or a close friend. Regardless of how difficult it may be to finally forgive the persons or institutions that hurt you, the benefits are worth it. Like Corrie ten Boom, there are numerous other stories of individuals being physically and emotionally healed after learning to forgive. Body, mind and spirit are all connected. Let the spiritual energies released through hope and forgiveness keep your mind and body happy and healthy.
Tramp For The Lord, with Jamie Buckingham (1974)
Psalm 30:5, New International Version of the Bible.
Luke 11:4, New International Version of the Bible.
© 2006-2011 Dr. Don Colbert, MD PA
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