A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse June 22, 2018 Get Well Sooner Scripture Reading – Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)"A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body, jealousy is like cancer in the bones."

 I have never had the occasion where I have went to my doctor for a check-up and heard the words, 'Doug - I'm sorry to tell you that you have cancer'. Although my father Doug Sr. did hear those words, and just over a year ago went home to his reward in heaven.

As a pastor, there are many times where I have to walk with others through this or even other types of unwelcome news. Most often, people want to be very careful to listen to their doctor's advice and get the necessary treatment to see the cancer put to a stop or removed.

Today's text speaks to our hearts of the painful results that unforgiveness can bring. Not only a lack of peace, but even being compared to cancer itself. Doctors and psychologists will attest to the medical difficulties that holding things inside can result in: migraines, sleepless nights, ulcers, back pain, nervous disorder, nightmares, and at the extreme, even heart attack, stroke or death.

When one is sick, it brings comfort when another sends a get well card, and pays a visit to their side. When we or people we love are struggling with forgiveness it does us well to realize that we will, 'Get Well Sooner', the more that by the grace of God we encourage others, and live in a place of forgiveness and peace ourselves.

Forgiveness brings not only eternal benefits, but also peace to our hearts and lives each and every day: a good night's sleep, a sense of contentment, peace and release, even a healing of the pains that physically can ail us all. Not to mention that our prayers bear much better fruit in such a posture. 

Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace and my Savior. Thank-You for Your forgiveness that is active in my life each and every day. Holy Spirit, fill me today with the freedom to forgive, even as I have been forgiven I pray in Jesus name. 

Memory Verse:  Ephesians 4:32 NLT “Instead, be _____ to each other, _______________, ___________ one another, ______ as _____ through Christ has forgiven you."