Pastor Scott Hoezee once told about a fascinating study on forgiveness conducted by the Templeton Foundation in cooperation with the University of Michigan and the National Institute for Mental Health. According to the study, 75% of Americans are "very confident" that they have been forgiven by God for their past offenses — remarkably, even among those who don't have much to do with God otherwise.

The picture was less encouraging, however, when it came to forgiving others. Only about half of those surveyed said they had completely forgiven the people who had hurt them.

What struck me most was this: where forgiveness does take place, researchers found a clear link between forgiveness and better health. The more willing a person is to forgive, the less likely they are to suffer from stress-related illness.

We seem to know, almost instinctively, that God forgives us. But extending that same grace to others — that is where it gets hard.

The scriptures teach us that God is a God of forgiveness and mercy, abounding in steadfast love. But they also suggest that our capacity to receive that forgiveness is somehow connected to our willingness to offer it. Jesus said, "If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14-15)

That is not easy to hear. But perhaps it points to something true — that forgiveness, when we offer it, opens something in us. It makes room. It allows grace to move.

Is there someone or something in your life you are still carrying? What might it feel like to set that down today?

Prayer: Have mercy on us, Loving God. Help us to release the burdens we have been carrying — the old wounds, the long grudges, the things we cannot seem to let go of. May your forgiveness wash over us. And then, by that same grace, give us the courage and the freedom to forgive others — that new beginnings may be ours, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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