The Transformational Power of Forgiveness: The Anchor of the Soul

By Mary McKenzie

The Transformational Power of Forgiveness reveals precious biblical pearls that will unlock the portals to divine healing and inner peace to your body, spirit, and soul. Inside you will discover that forgiveness offers a wealth of mental and physical benefits, while unforgiveness is linked to many health challenges, including the possibility of cancer. You will uncover that the act of forgiveness gives you the power to make a difference in the world. Also, you will find an interactive study guides packed with valuable tools to strengthen, encourage, and empower you through the healing journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098044602

Book preview

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The

Transformational

Power of Forgiveness

The Anchor of the Soul

Mary D. McKenzie

ISBN 978-1-0980-4459-6 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-0980-4460-2 (digital)

Copyright © 2020 by Mary D. McKenzie

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One

A Masterpiece: The Power of Forgiveness

Key Concepts and Definitions of Forgiveness

Misconceptions About Forgiveness

The Biblical Meaning of Forgiveness and Unforgiveness

Chapter Two

Forgiveness: The Anchor of the Soul

Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Forgiveness

Unforgiveness Is Linked to Health Risks

Cancer: A Deadly Consequence of Unforgiveness

Can Anger Cause Cancer?

Self-Forgiveness: Pathway to Mental and Physical Health

Chapter Three

Forgiveness: The Armor of Light

Forgiveness Is A Magnet for Salvation

Forgiveness Unlocks the Power of the Holy Spirit

Word of God and Prayer: A Cure for Unforgiveness

Forgiveness: The Pathway to Purpose

Chapter Four

The Intercultural Dynamics of Forgiveness

How Culture Influences Forgiveness

How Eastern and Western Cultures Characterize Forgiveness

Forgiveness and Unforgiveness Across Cultures: Asian Views

Witnessing the Gospel Through Forgiveness: Christians in Egypt

Chapter Five

Prayer and Study Guide

The Healing Process

Resources for the Journey

Conclusion: Becoming a Forgiving Person

Prayers for the Journey

Acknowledgments

Notes

Dedication

It is with great gratitude, appreciation, and affection that I dedicate this book to my purpose-driven family, my husband, Linsdale, and my two sons, Denzel and Jason. Thanks for your understanding, prayers, and continued support. You have never failed to believe in me.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

—Ephesians 3:20

Preface

This book started as a thesis which eventually turned into a powerful, soul-searching tool. The Transformational Power of Forgiveness originated from a spiritual place. In my search for a research topic, I heard the voice of the Lord clearly says, Write on forgiveness. I must admit, I struggled with the topic.

Daily, I would check the university’s blackboard for other students’ postings. All the topics were pertaining to the curriculum. Forgiveness was not included in our curriculum. Therefore, this didn’t feel right. I murmured and complained in silence. Lord, why are you doing this to me? I asked. I would have preferred to research another topic. What would the professor and students think about my topic? This is very different! Maybe I should find another topic, I whispered in silence.

In search for another topic, I heard the voice of God again says even louder, I want you to write on forgiveness. I knew at that point that I dare not override the voice of God. I posted my topic to the blackboard, and to my great surprise, the feedback from the students was overwhelming. Many expressed how unforgiveness destroyed their lives and others in the community. This blew my mind for weeks. Then, the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance an early morning conversation I had on January 25, 2017. As I knelt in prayer, God whispered in my ears, Unforgiveness is a cause of cancer. This was quite frightening. But at the same time, it was a confirmation that the topic of forgiveness is absolutely crucial to humanity.

During this rigorous, intensive compilation of literature on forgiveness and unforgiveness, I quickly realized that I too was harboring past hurt and pain. This was a scary feeling; it challenged me to evaluate my own heart. It came to light on an early Saturday morning in May of 2018, as I ruminated over painful memories. I heard the Holy Spirit say, You are not completely healed from past hurt and pain. Your wounds appear to be healed from the outside, but you are still hurting inside. Let it go! This was a pivotal moment for me. Clearly, I was struggling with unforgiveness. I hadn’t totally forgiven some people in my life, including my beloved husband. At that point, I realized how unforgiveness had affected my life. Whenever a situation arose that would cast doubt in my mind, I would resort back to that place of hurt, self-pity, and anger. I used that opportunity to remind my spouse of his past mistakes. I was constantly rubbing his nose into it, hoping he would feel horrible for what he had done. It was my secret weapon of punishment and revenge.

Despite my anger and self-pity, God was still gracious to me. As He revealed the need to release my unforgiveness, I made a decision to set everyone free, including myself. I searched my heart and made a list of the painful memories that had never been healed. These memories were deeply hidden in my soul, which I had hoped would have been healed with time, or somehow magically disappear. I got into a place of humility, fell on my knees, prayed over the list of people who had hurt me, and released the control to God. It was the best decision I have ever made. I felt an incredible overflow of peace came into my heart that I have never experienced before. I felt lighter, like I had dropped a hundred-pound weight off my back. I experienced a divine makeover. It was phenomenal.

I believe that this research was intentionally designed by God to bring complete healing and freedom to my life. This book wouldn’t have been possible if I had not gone through the process of total forgiveness.

Forgiveness is our pathway to total freedom. When someone hurts us, especially a family member, spouse, or trusted friend, it can seem impossible to forgive. But offering forgiveness to others is one of the most challenging yet life-saving actions a person can take. We deceive ourselves into believing that the longer we hold onto the painful memories, the longer the offender’s punishment will be. This assertion is false because bitterness and anger only affect the body with sickness and disease. I have learned through this process that forgiveness is an inside job; it is God’s antidote to unforgiveness, bitterness, and anger. The act of forgiveness is the result of God working to demonstrate His love supernaturally. Forgiveness is about freedom, healing, resilience, and reclaiming one’s life. More importantly, forgiveness expunges past hurts and pains, and it unlocks our superpowers.

We have the power to change the world, but we cannot achieve this goal while holding on to painful memories. When we forgive, healing takes place at a high-dimensional level, allowing us to have greater insight into our purpose on earth. I believe our greatest assignment is hidden behind our hurt and pain. Thus, one of my life’s purposes is to promote forgiveness, starting in my home, then flowing into the world. I believe that promoting forgiveness should be the mission for every person of faith.

Forgiveness is not only for Christians; it’s for every age, race, sex, creed, and nation. This book will empower readers to embark on the journey of healing, transformation, restoration, and wholeness. Forgiveness is not a temporary fix; it is a lifetime commitment. Once you forgive, you will release your burden of anger, hatred, and unforgiveness so that the healing of your soul and body can begin. Until the pain is completely healed, you will continue to be negatively affected by the memories. God gives us the power to remember the past, but He also gives us the power to release painful memories through the act of forgiveness. God wants us to forgive completely and unconditionally. Regain your power, authority, and freedom as a child of God, and become a forgiving human being.

Introduction

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

—Hebrews 6:19

Do you know that there is a relationship between the lack of forgiveness and the deadly diseases of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes? The Transformational Power of Forgiveness is not just another book on forgiveness. It seeks to explore and describe the concepts and effects of forgiveness. It examines how unforgiveness, hatred, anger, and revenge make a person vulnerable to diseases, such as cancer. The message of forgiveness could not be more timely and applicable at this period in our history. In light of all the schools and workplace shootings; the attacks on churches, synagogues, and mosques; and the increase of broken family relationships within the church and secular world, it’s crystal clear that many people struggle with unforgiveness and hatred. As a people, how can we keep our anger from turning into hateful revenge? The blood of innocent people is on the hands of those who have hatred in their hearts. It is evident that forgiveness is crucial.

Research has shown that the roots of violence, suffering, and pain are essentially in the unhealed wounds of the past. As a result, many people are dealing with painful memories through addiction and substance abuse, such as drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, sexual immorality, and other destructive habits of the flesh. Unhealed wounds drain your energy and impede your body’s capacity to fight disease.

Who can blame a person for having angry, vengeful thoughts toward a drunk driver for killing a family member, a daughter who was raped by her father, or a son who remains angry with his mother for throwing him into a garbage bin seven days after birth, only to be later found by a sanitation worker? Words can never be enough to describe the painful memories associated with these wounds. However, Luke 1:37 reminds us, but with God nothing is impossible.

The primary goal of this book is to present a thoroughly sound, biblical, theological,