As the holidays approach, a few unwelcome guests will arrive in many homes - stess, depression, and anxiety - all thans to the overwhelming demands of the days between Thanksgiving and the New Year.
Author, researcher and forgiveness expert Dr. Michael Barry has spent years conducting clinical reserach on the link between cancer and stress - namely the stress of negative emotions such as anger, bitterness and unforgiveness - and says that the holidays are an especially difficult time for many.
Through his years of in-depth medical, theological and scoiological research, as well as clinical expericne, Dr. Barry made a significant discovery that the immune system and forgiveness are very much connected. Negative or stressful feelings can actually prevent physical healing within the body. He discovered that the disease of unforgiveness can impact every organ, and it is an emotional disorder that can be prevented, treated and cured if a person is open to forgiveness.
I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Barry about his research and how unforgiveness can lead to a stressful hoilday season. We also talked about his new program "Release Now" which teaches and guides people through the steps of forgiveness. To listen to the interview, click
here or scroll down.
Rev. Dr. Michael Barry is Director of Pastoral Care at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia, PA where he specializes in the connection between fatih and health. He has served in ministry for more than 20 years and has appeared on radio and television programs around the country. His proram,
Release! The Healing Power of Forgiveness teaches patients how to explore their feelings of unforgiveness toward others, themselves or even God. He is the author of
A Reason for Hope,
A Season for Hope,
The Art of Caregiving, and his latest
The Forgiveness Project