What is the silver bullet of therapy?

I know of nothing that is more therapeutically effective than forgiveness.

Are you looking for the "silver bullet" of counseling?

You need look no further.

Forgiveness is the "miracle drug" that can heal the heart of bitterness, anger, pain, hatred, violence, and other deep and abiding wounds.

Forgiveness is a foreign concept to many people. When we are hurt by someone, our natural response is to hurt that person in return.

Some people claim that getting even is biblical and point to Exodus 21:24, which speaks of "eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." If we look at the context of that passage, however, we see that Moses gave that law to limit vengeance, not to encourage it.

[Much harsher punishment for any crime, not matter how minor, was the norm in the ancient world. The "eye for an eye" seemed to be an admonition to "let the punishment fit the crime," a concept we today consider part of the "modern criminal system".]

According to the dictionary, forgive means "to excuse for a fault or offence; to pardon, to renounce anger and resentment against; to forgive is to grant pardon without harboring resentment."

Forgiveness is a vital part of our relationship with God. Indeed, unless God had forgiven us of our sin, we could never have a relationship with the Father.

That's why Paul reminds us, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).

And in Colossians 3:13, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."



God warns us that He will not accept our worship when we refuse to forgive other people. Jesus said, "When  you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive  him so your Father in heaven will also forgive you." (Mark 11:25).

--From Only God Can Heal the Wounded Heart,
          by Ed Bulkley