When I kept silent, my bones grew old

Through my groaning all the day long.

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;

My vitality was turned into the drought of summer.

I acknowledged my sin to You,

And my iniquity I have not hidden.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Psalm 32:3-5

Here’s a portion of today’s Lent Project devotional:

“Everett Worthington, director of the Campaign for Forgiveness Research, argues that negative emotions associated with an unforgiving attitude compromise our immune system. Worthington and his research team have sought to help among others, mothers in Northern Ireland who have lost children to religious violence. His studies show that women who forgive these perpetrators of injustice report a reduction in symptoms of stress including severe headaches, backaches, and the release of negative emotions. Our refusal to forgive comes at great mental, physical and spiritual cost. Could it be that the physical aches and pains we experience on a regular basis are a residue of our refusal to forgive those closest to us regardless if they ever admit wrong, or ask for forgiveness?”

How many people are groaning all the day long, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, because of unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness?

May our Lord enable us to forgive others as he has forgiven us.