(The Nationalist, January 2006)
Most people have heard of psychosomatic illnesses. They are ones caused, or aggravated, by a mental or emotional condition. Rightly or wrongly, it has long been suspected that ulcers are evidence of stress or tension. The same might be said of sleeplessness, loss of appetite, some headaches, upset stomach, and so on.
I think the theory is probably true. After all, the person is one. Mind and body, soul and emotions are inseparably linked. Where would the mind be without the brain? Mind and body interact with each other. The Romans, I think it was, used to have a saying, ‘A healthy mind in a healthy body’. Body, soul, mind and emotions go together.
Think of the language we use. We speak of a person being paralyzed by fear; we could also be paralyzed by clinging to routine, or refusing to change, to grow or develop. We speak of being crippled by doubt or guilt; we could also be crippled by self-pity, self-centredness or selfishness.
I think there may be a further dimension to this. In some cases, only in some, sin also may have a negative effect on health. One example especially comes to mind, and that is unforgiveness. I think that where a person simply refuses to forgive – a different matter from finding it hard to forgive – that person may experience depression, anxiety, and possibly some of the problems listed above.
It is hard to forgive; anyone will acknowledge that. If we have been hurt, humiliated, angered, cheated, manipulated etc. it is hard to forgive that. But I think it’s also true to say that, if we want to forgive, then, before God, we have already forgiven. Forgiveness is not a feeling; it’s a choice. And the first person to benefit by it is ourselves. When we forgive, we unburden ourselves; we let go of anger and resentment.
Forgiveness is an act of freedom in two ways. It comes from freedom, a free decision; we decide to do it. It leads to freedom, freedom from bitterness, and the chips on the shoulder that can be a heavy weight to carry.
To forgive is not to condone, to excuse, or to forget. It is an act of the will, a resolution to act towards our offender with the respect that is their due as a person, and to do them good in whatever way we can. It does not exclude being ambushed from time to time by the emotional aftershocks of our feelings.
Some questions may help us in this situation: if the person who offended was in need, would I help him? Better still, if I was in need, would I ask him for help? If the answer to either of those questions is Yes, then you have forgiven, even if you still feel angry.
If I forgive, I become in every respect – body, mind, emotions and soul – a better and a healthier person. I can stand up and walk, a free person. To forgive is also a grace, a gift. Pray for it.
For those in a hurry: ‘The only way for a Christian to live is to risk love and hope for the Resurrection’. (Paul Goodman)