Mama Nyamondo* lost her last born son through a fight over a piece of land dispute; after tragic deaths of her two eldest sons. The eldest was found murdered and his body was damped by the road side, while his immediate follower was poisoned.
“Forgiveness has been my medicine over the years,” says the old Mama who is a centurion but looking far younger than her age – she wears a baby face, hardly with wrinkles and a soft black hair scantly sported with white hair.
The mother whose youngest son died after his step brothers hit him on the head with a metallic bar breaking his skull that lead to internal bleeding, says that she embrace the practicality of Biblical teaching on forgiveness: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Research that was conducted by Mark Rye of the University of Iowa found out that those who extended forgiveness to those who offended them enjoyed higher levels of mental health. When compared to those unwilling to forgive, forgiving persons experienced higher levels of well being and religious satisfaction and lower level of anger and depression.
Studies over the years on forgiveness concur that forgiveness reduces depression and anxiety and increases self-esteem and overall emotional well-being.
The researchers conclude that forgiveness in any given setting is good for many things; holding grudges, is dangerous for the body and soul.
“Forgiveness has enabled us to move forward as a family and individually,” says the prayerful Mama, adding: “whenever we are offended let us be ready to forgive, always.”
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