‘Forgive to Live’: The Healing Power of Letting Go

Forgiveness is a common topic in Christian circles, but the practicalities of forgiving someone, and how to do it without compromising our own wellbeing, can be illusive.

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Pastor and author of Forgive to Live, Dr. Dick Tibbits has made it his life work to help people untangle the confusion of forgiveness and see both its spiritual and physical benefits.

“Forgiveness is not forgetting,” Dr. Dick told Hope 1032.

“Rather, forgiveness is remembering in a different way.”

It’s also not condoning wrong behaviour or automatically reconciling with someone who’s harmed us.

“Forgiveness is free, but trust must be earned,” Dr. Dick said.

So, what is forgiveness?

“Forgiveness is not forgetting… Rather, forgiveness is remembering in a different way.”

“It’s giving up my right to hurt you for the hurt you caused me, so that my hurt can come to an end,” Dr. Dick said.

When we look at forgiveness from a Christian perspective, “forgiveness has a special lens of opportunity and promise”.

“We know about forgiveness because God first forgave us,” Dr. Dick said.

Embracing forgiveness became particularly personal for Dr. Dick when he was let go from a ministry role he had served in faithfully for over a decade.

“I went from feeling important to feeling like yesterday’s paper,” Dr. Dick said.

“That sense of rejection forced me to wrestle with what forgiveness really looks like.”

Forgiveness is “giving up my right to hurt you for the hurt you caused me, so that my hurt can come to an end,” Dr. Dick said.

And it’s not just emotional or spiritual – there are physical consequences to holding onto bitterness.

“When we stay angry, our brain releases cortisol”, Dr. Dick said.

“Which can impact everything from heart rate to immune function.”

On the other hand, “forgiveness literally helps heal your body”, but letting go doesn’t always come easily.

“When we’re hurt, we either choose to blame or to forgive,” Dr. Dick said.

That first choice begins the process of forgiveness – which isn’t a one-time decision but a repeated intention.

“Forgiveness literally helps heal your body”, but letting go doesn’t always come easily.

“Forgiving people are more joyful,” Dr. Dick said.

“They’re physically healthier, emotionally balanced, and they feel closer to God.

“God knew what He was doing when He created us.”

Dr. Dick Tibbits book Forgive to Live is out now.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.