For the past few years, bitterness and anger has had me in a chokehold. It has been a ball and chain preventing me from living the best life and from allowing me to move forward.

Even though I recognized that I was my own obstacle, I couldn't shake the anger that so easily festered inside of me. It seemed that the longer I held on to the bitterness of a situation, the more susceptible I was to irritation from outside sources. This anger created rifts in many relationships because my anger just manifested itself until the situation worked out in my favor. The consistent bitterness ate away at me, and at times I knew my anger was not righteous or even justified, but I allowed it to continue.

I went to church one Sunday after one of my episodes of anger. My pastor talked about healing, and how there are tangible illnesses, ones you can see and measure, but others that can't be. One of the ones that is immeasurable, is anger. My heart sank, knowing that this was my own struggle.

I said my prayer of confession, praying intently that this would be something I could shake. As soon as I decided to let go of my anger, I experienced instant healing. Not only healing but it felt as though every unrighteous bouts of anger I've had recently was forgiven.

Forgiveness and healing seem to be almost interchangeable to me. Upon receiving forgiveness I felt an immediate alleviation of guilt. The weight on my shoulders from tense relationships, and from the bitterness that seemed to take over whenever one little thing made me upset, disappeared.

I realize that not only does forgiveness happen on a spiritual level, but it's important that it happens between people, even if the forgiveness isn't mutual. Forgiveness is healing and healing is a catalyst to maturity or is a step to moving forward.