Life is flawed, and at some point nearly everyone has been hurt, criticized, or teased. Harmful actions leave a wound that can be long-lasting, and can affect others as well. The anger and bitterness a victim carries can be used as vengeance on the perpetrator. It is at this point that forgiveness can play a vital role. Many people do not realize the impact of choosing whether to forgive or not. If forgiveness is not the chosen path, the victim can be the one who suffers the most. The act of hurt will always remain a part of the victim’s life. But if forgiveness is acted upon, he or she can end up with a lighter weight emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. With a new perspective, the person can focus on the importance of life
These responses are seen not only as medical issues but also as physiological. Dr. John Schinnerer, in his paper about forgiveness, explains in even more detail the “eating away” that holding in these negative feelings can cause. His studies show that the unforgiving victim is able to have high levels of fear, depression, heart disease, and cancer, and are even less capable of holding on to quality relationships. Unpleasant emotions can also cause your muscles to be tense because of a chemical called the “stress chemical” that is released into your body. (Schinnerer 3) The key to avoiding these symptoms is to learn to overcome these feelings so that you do not sit around and wallow in your emotions. The less time you spend in this place of destruction, the more you are able to enjoy life and move on to better places. Forgiveness is not something that is easy to accomplish. It is a skill that is to be learned throughout life’s hurts and pains. It all begins with this realization: “I am in control of my life, and I know I can make it through.” It is a choice for an individual to decide whether to hold on to that anger and pain or let it go. In the end, forgiveness brings an enormous benefit to the person who wants to freely give “the gift.” If a person comes to the stage where he or she can forgive and forget, that person is “likely to enjoy lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and a