Faith Filled Family Magazine December 2016 | Page 13

worst part of all is that, without
forgiveness, bitterness is all that
is left.”

when forgiveness has brought
negativity into their relationship.
However, forgiveness is a strong
representative of character. If
Considering the hurts that can you can overcome the negative
affect us so many ways and by in your life, then one thing is for
so many people, let’s discuss certain: you are developing a
some of the people and situa- very positive spirit and that filters
tions when forgiveness needs to to those around you. If you have
come sooner than later.
children, this is so important for
you are raising them to be just as
There are instances where some positive in life as you are bringthings should not wait. One of ing hope and joy for their future
those is when it comes to fam- as adults.
ily members. No matter what,
you should forgive your family Perhaps you have been critimembers. Why are these people cized by another such as a famany different? Well, because if ily member for your parenting
you and a family member have skills, or a partner for working
grudges or ill-feelings between too much. Regardless of what
you, those feelings do not just caused your wounds it is the
stay there. This negativity builds deep feelings of anger and bitbetween many members of the terness that lead to resentment.
family, and can cause other Forgiveness can help some of
members to be affected as well. those feelings lessen over time
The Mayo Clinic performs stud- increasing understanding, emies often referencing the un- pathy and compassion from the
healthiness of negativity in re- one who hurt you.
lationships. What they have
found is that ailments such as 1 Peter 5:7 states, “ God cares
high blood pressure, digestive for you, so turn all your worries
problems, insomnia, depression, over to him.” (CEV)
headaches, and even chronic
pain can cause a breakdown At one time, my mother-in-law
of mental and physical health. and I did not get along very well.
Symptoms can lead to health She was forever criticizing me
problems which damage more for everything. Nothing I did was
than one body system. What every right in her eyes. One afthis tells us is not only does the ternoon, after being discharged
pain of not being forgiven affect from the hospital where I had
our relationships with others, but been a patient for several days,
it affects our personal health as I decided to pick my children up
well.
early from daycare. She offered
to ride with me, as I could not
If you are one of those people drive alone that day.
who keep things bottled up in- My youngest daughter was still
side of you, your health could an infant. My mother-in-law was
be affected much quicker. Ev- upset with me for being so adaery person has a perception of mant about driving home with
the difficulties in moving forward my daughter in her car seat. She

wanted me to pull over and let
her remove the child from the
car seat, so she could hold her
on the drive home. As an argument ensued, both of my kids
became upset, and I was still not
feeling quite myself.
As my mother-in-law began to
berate me for many things, I
felt overwrought with so many
emotions- confusion, annoyance, worry, and even indignation. I was driving 70 MPH (the
posted speed limit) on a very
busy interstate highway with this
woman yelling words of bitterness and hostility. Both of my
children were crying, and I was
still recovering from an illness. I
had been in the hospital and had
not seen them in almost a week,
which had brought on the crying
of the smallest of the two children. It just became too much.
I told my mother-in-law my child
was staying in her car seat, and
I was offended by what she was
saying. I asked her to refrain from
speaking to me at all until we arrived at our destination. She became defiant and threatened to
jump out of my car. Feeling quite
overwhelmed with everything, I
exited the interstate, pulled into
the service station, and very impolitely told her, “GET OUT!”
When I arrived home, I explained to her son exactly what
had happened and where his
mother was. I was completely
beside myself for my actions. My
father-in-law thought it was quite
humorous and told me I was
completely justified. I didn’t feel
justified. I felt ashamed and very
much in need of forgiveness.