The Science of Forgiveness

14 min

•Oct 6, 20257 months ago

Summary

Ryan Leak explores the science of forgiveness, presenting research from Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, and the American Psychological Association showing that forgiveness reduces blood pressure, heart disease risk, anxiety, and depression while improving overall health and longevity. He argues that unforgiveness is an active force causing damage, and frames forgiveness as a strength rooted in faith in Jesus Christ rather than weakness.

Insights

Unforgiveness is not neutral—it actively damages physical and mental health through chronic stress, impaired liver function, and elevated blood pressure
Forgiveness is a choice and a strength, not weakness; it requires tapping into a greater power or faith system to overcome the emotional barriers to letting go
Scientific research increasingly validates traditional Eastern medicine beliefs about anger's impact on liver function and overall wellness
People who practice forgiveness experience measurable improvements in relationships, mental health, self-esteem, and lifespan
Faith-based forgiveness frameworks provide the emotional and spiritual roadmap that science alone cannot offer for actually forgiving those who hurt us

Trends

Growing scientific validation of mind-body connection in health outcomes, particularly around emotional states like resentment and angerIncreased research into forgiveness interventions as clinical tools for treating depression, anxiety, and improving mental health outcomesIntegration of traditional Eastern medicine principles with Western scientific research on emotional health and organ functionFaith-based wellness frameworks gaining credibility through scientific research on forgiveness and longevityWorkplace and relational health emerging as key factors in overall mortality rates and quality of life metrics

Topics

Science of ForgivenessMental Health Benefits of ForgivenessPhysical Health Impact of ResentmentTraditional Chinese Medicine and AngerLiver Function and Chronic AngerBlood Pressure and ForgivenessHeart Disease Prevention Through ForgivenessAnxiety and Depression ReductionImmune System StrengtheningForgiveness Interventions and ProgramsFaith-Based HealingWorkplace ForgivenessFamily Relationship HealingStress Management Through Letting GoMortality Rates and Emotional Health

Companies

Johns Hopkins University

Cited research showing forgiveness correlates with lower blood pressure, reduced heart disease risk, and stronger imm...

Mayo Clinic

Referenced studies linking forgiveness to healthier relationships, improved mental health, reduced stress, and lower ...

American Psychological Association

Cited research on forgiveness interventions reducing depression and anxiety symptoms while improving self-esteem

People

Ryan Leak

Host and primary speaker discussing the science of forgiveness and faith-based approach to letting go of grudges

Jesus Christ

Referenced as the foundational model and source of strength for practicing forgiveness in the Christian faith framework

Quotes

"Unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment—it's not neutral. It's active. It's doing damage."

Ryan Leak

"Unforgiveness gives the person who hurt you free rent in your head."

Ryan Leak

"People who let go of grudges literally live longer."

Ryan Leak

"Forgiveness isn't a weakness—are you sure that forgiveness isn't a strength?"

Ryan Leak

"I'm walking in forgiveness because I've received it, not because I'm a nice person or have good things going on."

Ryan Leak

Full Transcript

What's going on my friends welcome to the Ryan League podcast where we love to keep things short and sweet We just want to give you a little something each and every week that you can chew on that we believe is going to add value to your life Today's episode is no exception today. I want to talk to you about the science of forgiveness the science of Forgiveness and and let me just say this right from the good go I know forgiveness is not easy. I know forgiveness It's not simple Let me say this I know that forgiveness is not quick Yeah, this episode may be short, but Forgiveness Yeah, that That can take time, but I will encourage you with this Today I am going to encourage you to begin the journey of letting it go Now I I get it People can cross the line They can cross the line with things that they've said Maybe they lied about you Maybe they gossiped about you behind your back Talked about you in a negative light to your colleagues or family members or neighbors or Maybe they said something in a moment of anger That you will absolutely Never forget maybe they made promises to you that they never kept People can cross the line with their actions Maybe they betrayed your trust Maybe they walked out on you when you needed them the most Maybe they took advantage of you when you were the most vulnerable And I just want to say just in case you never get an apology from them May you hear from one person in your life. Hey, I'm I'm really sorry I'm I'm really sorry that that happened to you I just I want to help you today. I Want to help you make a decision? I Want to help you make one of the biggest decisions. I think you'll ever make in your entire life And one of the biggest decisions that you and I can never make in our entire life Is when we decide what we're going to do when people hurt us and I just I still think people pause long enough to realize that unforgiveness bitterness resentment It's not neutral It's active It's doing damage and I just want you to know today you got choices You've you've got choices and I know you you might be thinking around why I didn't choose to be hurt They hurt me and it hurt you're right But I do want you to know that you do have a choice To move on you do have a choice To let it go I Could give you plenty of reasons why you should I can make the argument that carrying resentment is exhausting I can make you argument that Unforgiveness gives the person who hurt you free rent in your head I can make the argument that bitterness Makes you someone you don't even like being around Because sometimes they hurt you so bad That you turn into this person who's making other people pay For what somebody else did I could go on and on But today's episode I want to give you a different angle Yeah, recently we've been doing some Scientific research on forgiveness bitterness resentment and I think it's astounding One area I looked at is in Eastern medicine. It's interesting In traditional Chinese medicine There's this long-held belief That holding on to anger and bitterness directly damages your liver And science is catching up with that idea One study found that chronic anger and resentment We're associated with impaired liver function in a while It's like your body keeps the score of what your soul is carrying John Hopkins University found that people who practice forgiveness have lower blood pressure Reduced risk of heart disease and stronger immune systems Another study in the Journal of Behavior Medicine showed that forgiveness was linked to reduced anxiety and depression and greater overall life satisfaction Mayo Clinic Reports that forgiveness is directly tied to healthier relationships Improve mental health less stress and even lower mortality rate Essentially Mayo Clinic would tell you People who let go of grudges literally live longer The American Psychological Association Has also found that forgiveness interventions get this okay Forgiveness interventions these are actual programs where people are taught how to forgive These programs Consistently reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while improving self-esteem And as I'm looking at all of these studies Thinking to myself Who of us couldn't use a little bit of help in those areas? And so Sometimes when we're navigating some of these health challenges, it's like man Have we ever just pause to consider that maybe just maybe there's somebody in our life or our career or our neighborhood That We need to forgive because it's Having an impact On our overall health like when you refuse to forgive you're not just holding a grudge or holding yourself back from health and And wholeness And I think that sometimes when we Think about forgiveness. It's like man, well, maybe and you're being weak. It's like Are you sure that forgiveness isn't a strength? My friend I'm I'm gonna encourage you to Be the healthiest version of yourself And I I think the science would tell us the healthiest version of yourself Is one that is forgiving Now All that research is great. You can look it up yourself if you'd like But here's the real question. How do you actually forgive someone who hurt you? I mean science can show us the benefits But it can't always give us the roadmap my friends That's where I think faith gives us something science cannot If you're asking me Ryan How do you walk in forgiveness? My friend Look no further Then Jesus Christ Son of the living God I don't know if you're a person of faith or not But I will just tell you this Ever since I have put my hope in faith in Jesus Christ Which means I believe God sent his one and only son To come to the planet To die for all mankind So that I could stand In right standing With God which means I have been given Forgiveness And so I as a person that follows Jesus I believe in scripture And the scripture tells us that we should forgive As Christ Has forgiven us Even the scriptures would tell you yeah forgiveness isn't easy Which is why you need to tap in to a greater power to pull it off Otherwise, I just don't know how you would And I live with the belief that forgiving people Have a responsibility To forgive It's like if you've been let off the hook How could you hold someone else onto it So I don't walk in forgiveness because I'm a nice person or a happy person Or because I've got a lot of good things going on no no no no no I'm walking forgiveness Because I've received it And believe you me I've needed it Time and time again And so I'm going to encourage you To put your faith In Jesus Christ today If you are looking for the strength to let it go I think he's your answer I think he gives you the opportunity To walk in forgiveness And it means you're choosing freedom overbounded I think the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that Jesus Doesn't just ask you to forgive he gives you the strength to pull it off And so yeah, I'm going to encourage you to forgive your boss Forgive your sister forgive your mom your ex your dad the that old friend ghosted you That business partner who promised you something and just didn't follow through at all I'd encourage you to forgive the co-worker who undercut you to forgive the coach who didn't believe in you to forgive the teacher who embarrassed you the Church leader who disappointed you the neighbor who wronged you And the reason I'm encouraged to do that is because yes your body needs it But more importantly your soul need that Your future Depends on it And I think the best place to start Is by putting your faith in Jesus Christ And if you would like help with that I would love for you to text me Okay, I want you to text the word Jesus to 469 809 1201 Yeah, if you'd say hey, Ryan, I I'd love to take a next step in my own spiritual journey of following Jesus Um, in my in my team would Love to put something in your hands to help you walk that out And begin a journey that I think is absolutely Life changing My team would love to follow up with you pray for you and walk alongside you On this journey of forgiveness And not just that I think it's a journey of Of walking the purpose God put you on a planet for a reason And I think you should spend your life Finding out Why he sent you here Hey, if this episode hit home We are going to drop a link in the show notes To a full message that I recently gave on forgiveness That I think could really add value to your life And also will give you some links to Some of the research that we talked about on the science of forgiveness My friends, thank you so much for listening to the Ryan Lee podcast If today's episode Inspired you I would encourage you don't keep it to yourself Share with a friend And hey, it would mean the world To me if you take a moment to rate review and subscribe Your support helps us reach even more people with the short and sweet nuggets of inspiration Thanks for being a part of the journey And I'll see you next time