It’s a teaching everyone’s heard before
“If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also.“ (Luke 6:29)
This simple, yet profound saying can have incredible benefits if we truly understand what it means.
More specifically, it can contribute to the well-being of our hearts.
You will see how in a minute.
No matter where we look nowadays, we are bombarded with situations that evoke negative emotions.
An offensive comment, a misunderstanding, an argument, the list goes on.
Responding to these situations with anger and resentment can seem natural.
But what most people don’t realize is that getting angry does more harm than good.
Scientists have found that individuals who frequently experience anger are more prone to heart disease.
Anger induces physiological stress, raising blood pressure, accelerating heart rate, and triggering inflammation.
In other words, anger places a heavier burden on the heart.
This is why people who can’t control their emotions experience frequent strokes.
How does “turning the other cheek” factor into this?
When we choose to let go of our anger and resentment, to “turn the other cheek,” we essentially reduce the harmful impact of these negative emotions on our systems.
We reduce our stress levels, blood pressure, and decrease inflammation.
The more I reflect on this, the more it makes sense.
Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek not just for the sake of our spiritual health, but also for our physical well-being.
He truly wants what’s good for us in every aspect of our existence.
Does this mean we should let others walk over us? Of course not. We must stand firm in our convictions and uphold what is right.
However, it means that we should strive to react to provocations with a spirit of forgiveness, rather than anger and resentment.
We should trust in God to handle our battles and take care of our hearts, both physically and spiritually.
So, the next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, remember the wisdom of Jesus’s teaching to turn the other cheek.
Your heart will thank you for it.
The Christian Tech-Nerd 