A Forgiving Glow

 

Did anyone ever tell you that you were “positively glowing”? It’s a common expression. When you see someone extremely happy, or perhaps at peace, you might say that they are glowing or simply “beaming” with delight. When actors or athletes win an important award, they appear to be glowing with understandable pride. Parents are glowing with pride as they watch their children perform in a schoolhouse play. Other people are known for a “sunny disposition.” So, what’s going on with these references to light when talking about someone’s happy face? People can’t actually glow, can they? While “glowing” is perhaps a figurative way to express the joy on one’s face, could it be literally true? Yes! According to one source, “the human body literally glows, emitting a visible light in extremely small quantities at levels that rise and fall with the day. … Past research has shown that the body emits visible light, 1,000 times less intense than the levels to which our naked eyes are sensitive.” I think that when we spend quality time with someone, even if that Someone is God, we feel happy, and that happiness causes our inner light, our “happy light,” to glow even brighter. You can’t spend too much time in the presence of God without getting a little glow. Moses certainly got his glow! And Jesus on the mountain of the Transfiguration did, too. You don’t need a mountain to start glowing. All you need is a little time with Jesus! —Timothy Merrill

Scientific findings have also confirmed what we Christians have known all along. An unforgiving, grudge-holding spirit is not in our best interest. According to a report heralded by Newsweek, more than 1,200 published studies have now been conducted on   the subject and the results are both consistent and conclusive: “…increased blood pressure and hormonal changes – linked to cardiovascular disease, immune suppression and possibly impaired neurological function and memory” are the “specific physiologic consequences” of unforgiveness.

One researcher, Everett Worthington, uses language even I can understand. “It happens down the line, but every time you feel unforgiveness, you are more likely to develop a health problem.” Dr. Dean Ornish goes even further. “In a way,” he says, “the most selfish thing you can do for yourself is to forgive other people.”

[Matthew 5:7] It seems the Bible has been right all along: “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). “…putting on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:12-14). “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).

I once heard of an epitaph upon a headstone of an unkempt, long-forgotten grave which read, “Died of Grudgitus.” No doubt many death certificates could accurately list “Grudgitus” as a contributing cause of death. Have you ever heard someone snarl, through clinched teeth, “I’ll get even with them if it’s the last thing I ever do?” “If it possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord (Romans 12:17-19). Don’t make yourself sick. Forgive, and glow with God’s love.