Nov. 30, 2009 — Healthy forgiving

Clinical psychologist Everett Worthington, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth, is a pioneer in what is called “forgiveness research.”

He has found that people who will not forgive the wrongs committed against them tend to have negative indications of health and well-being: more stress-related disorders, lower immune-system function and worse rates of cardiovascular disease. In effect, by failing to forgive, the unforgiving punish themselves.

In contrast, people who forgive, says Worthington, have better health, fewer episodes of clinical depression, longer marriages and better social support.

Sounds like Jesus was on to something.

Just a thought. I'm Sid Batts from First Presbyterian Church in downtown Greensboro, fpcgreensboro.org.