Seven years. That’s how long it takes for nearly every cell in your body to be replaced with a new one. Skin cells are refreshed in weeks, while more permanent brain and nerve cells last longer. However, your body undergoes a complete renewal every seven to ten years.

Why does this matter? Because the human body is designed to change—and so are you.

While it’s easy to accept physical renewal, the concept of change extends well beyond the medical realm. People evolve. Personalities, perspectives, and even deeply ingrained habits can shift. At the heart of the gospel lays this fundamental truth- Jesus changes people. When you stop believing in someone’s capacity for change, you’ve bought into a lie that runs counter to the essence of life itself.

Have you believed that someone who deeply hurt you could never change? It’s easy to wrap the chains of your own pain around an offender and refuse to believe they can change. The unchanging part of your wound is often not the offender but the lack of your forgiveness. Refusing to forgive traps you in a prison of resentment while your assailant walks free. The key to breaking out of this prison is forgiveness—a response that opens the door to healing and hope.

Forgiveness extends beyond letting go of the past; it allows you to reframe how you see those who’ve wronged you. Forgiveness allows you to move offenders from a static character in your story to ones who are capable of being changed. When you withhold forgiveness, you blind yourself to the possibility of transformation, not just in others but also within yourself.

Let’s be honest: not everyone will change dramatically. Some people will resist growth, holding onto their flaws. But forgiving them isn’t about guaranteeing their transformation—it’s about ensuring your own. Forgiveness keeps bitterness from taking root and infecting your heart. It aligns you with the radical teachings of Jesus, who challenges His followers to love and forgive those who inflict harm (Matthew 5:44).

In a world teeming with brokenness, forgiveness is a revolutionary act. It’s not just an escape from bitterness; it’s a declaration of hope. It’s the life force that mirrors the Creator’s design—a design that embraces change and renewal at every level, from our cells to our souls.

So, as your body constantly renews itself, remember transformation is possible. For you. For others. And in the act of forgiveness, you’ll find the freedom to step into the healing presence of the Father—a place where true renewal begins.

Medical source: https://ki.se/en/people/jonas-frisen#about-me