Making a real difference

Lose weight, exercise more, spend less, make a difference in the world…  The typical New Year’s resolutions list for most of us.  But to make a real difference to your health, happiness and contribution to society, try adding “Forgive others”,  for not only does unforgiveness damage  relationships between individuals and inevitably wider family or social groups, science shows that it can also damage our health. 

“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies” said Nelson Mandela in The Long Walk to Freedom.   Scientists are finding this to be true as studies show damaging levels of cortisol are released when individuals think about people they have not forgiven.  

God, the designer of our incredible bodies, warns us that our thoughts affect our health, for example in Proverbs 17:22 it says “a joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”  God also tells us to forgive because it is necessary for restoration of relationships between people, and between God and ourselves.  Jesus said “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” Matthew 6:14.      We are all sinners!  We all make mistakes and hurt people.   “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”  C.S Lewis.

Forgiveness means to let go of the hurt and bitterness, and keep doing so when those feelings return.  True forgiveness is not just an internal feeling but a decision to actively work to restore relationships.  Jesus said to love our enemies and when our “enemies” are within our families and community groups the benefits of doing so are far reaching.

So in 2016 resolve to forgive - for health, happiness, and an improved society.  “Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.” 2 Corinthians 13:11. 

Larisa Hockey – Mangapapa Church

Published in the Gisborne Herald on Saturday 9 January.

Larisa,  is fascinated by the links between our spiritual state, our mind and our health and is particularly interested in the work of Dr Carolyn Leaf in helping us rewire our brains to overcome toxic thoughts.  

Never again

At 29-years of age, Abby Johnson, the director of an abortion clinic in Texas was a committed proponent of abortion. And she'd personally had two abortions. But one morning she was unexpectedly asked to assist with an ultrasound-guided abortion - a procedure which in her own words "would shake the foundation of my values and change the course of my life." 

What she saw was "the entire, perfect profile of a 13-week baby." In her book, Unplanned, she writes, "The detail startled me. I could clearly see the profile of the head, both arms, legs, and even tiny fingers and toes. Perfect. Then a new image entered the video screen. The next movement was the sudden jerk of a tiny foot as the baby started kicking, as if it were trying to move away from the "probing invader" ... the baby began struggling to turn and twist away ...  then it crumpled ... and then it was gone." In that instant Abby knew, "It wasn't just tissue, just cells. It was a human baby, and it was fighting for its life. What I have believed, taught and defended, is a lie!  And then this thought came from deep within me: Never again! Never again!" 

At that moment Abby had a spiritual conversion. She immediately left the abortion industry and became an advocate for LIFE. In the words of columnist, Saul Elbein, "This is essentially the narrative of every Christian convert, from St Paul to St Augustine. A life of sin, a moment of truth, and suddenly everything changes." And in what is being described as an expression of redemption, the abortion facility where Abby Johnson once worked is now a pro-life pregnancy centre. Tracy Frank, executive director of the centre says, "What was once a place of death and grief where an estimated 6,400 abortions were performed, has been transformed into a place of life."  

Julia Martin 

 Wife, grandmother, and daughter of God, Julia believes we are all precious in God's eyes, known and loved from the very moment of conception.