All Episodes

May 13, 2025 42 mins
In this empowering episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton explores the transformative power of forgiveness with world-renowned psychologist and international bestselling author Dr. Henry Cloud. Together, they dive deep into why forgiveness matters for our mental, physical, and spiritual health. This conversation stands in the radical center, embracing questions rather than offering simple solutions to complex issues. This conversation guides us through a journey that bridges the gap between head and heart, examining how forgiveness can free us from the prison of resentment while navigating the complexities of trust and reconciliation. Whether you're struggling with past hurts, curious about the science behind forgiveness, or seeking practical wisdom for your relationships, this episode has something for everyone.Episode Highlights:The Surprising Medical Case for Forgiveness - Discover why unforgiveness functions like a disease in your body. Scientific research has linked unforgiveness to dozens of physical ailments, from cardiovascular disease to diabetes and autoimmune disorders. Learn why holding onto resentment is like refusing to treat an infection—it only hurts you in the end.The Forgiveness Metabolism Metaphor - Explore the fascinating comparison between forgiveness and your body's digestive system. Just as your body needs to eliminate waste to stay healthy, your soul needs forgiveness to process life's painful experiences. This powerful metaphor illuminates why letting go isn't just spiritually beneficial—it's essential for emotional health.Trust vs. Forgiveness: The Critical Distinction - Understand why forgiveness doesn't automatically mean trust. While forgiveness addresses the past and comes freely, trust concerns the future and must be earned. This crucial distinction helps navigate complex relationships where healing is desired but boundaries remain necessary.Finding Common Ground in a Divided World - In our polarized society, forgiveness plays a vital role in bridge-building. Adam and Dr. Cloud explore how proximity and genuine curiosity about others' perspectives can transform judgmental attitudes into understanding, even when disagreements remain.The Marriage Connection - Marriage provides daily opportunities to practice forgiveness. Learn why unforgiveness in marriage creates an "autoimmune disease" in your most important relationship, and discover practical wisdom for cultivating what researcher John Gottman calls "a bubble of trust."This conversation isn't about finding easy answers or promoting blind faith. Instead, Adam welcomes us into an honest exploration of how forgiveness can help us wrestle with doubt, embrace questions, and discover hope that withstands life's toughest challenges. Whether you're feeling stuck in bitterness, curious about the intersection of psychology and faith, or simply seeking practical wisdom for daily life, this episode provides transformative insights without asking you to check your brain or values at the door. Ready to explore a faith that builds bridges instead of walls? Listen to the full episode and begin your journey toward freedom through forgiveness.
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.