Event: The Biology of Grace: The Power of Forgiveness | Online Event |
Speaker: Margaret Ong
Date: 14 JULY Tue
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm *+ 8hrs GMT
VENUE: ALBY Events via online ZOOM
Fee: $12
We often think of forgiveness as a soft, moral duty—a passive act of mercy that lets an offender off the hook. But cutting-edge science and timeless scripture reveal a different truth: forgiveness is a vital, intentional act of self-liberation and a high-performance life skill. When we hold onto a grudge, we aren't just harboring an uncomfortable thought; we are sustaining a physiological crisis. Research shows that nursing a resentment forces the human body to run a "marathon of rage" while sitting completely still, creating a "biological tax" of chronic stress, elevated blood pressure, and toxic cortisol surges that actively wear down our physical and mental systems.
In this thoughtful session, Margaret Ong bridges the gap between the clinical laboratory and the Word of God. Speaking not as a pastor or psychologist, but as a fellow practitioner exploring these profound truths, Margaret maps out how data from the fields of psychology and psychophysiology perfectly align with biblical wisdom. Drawing on the landmark research of Drs. Charlotte Witvliet, Loren Toussaint, and Everett Worthington, she shares the "hard science" proving that bitterness is a biological burden, demonstrating that our bodies were intentionally designed to function best when we operate in grace.
In this session, we will explore:
- The Physical Toll of the Grudge: How chronic unforgiveness acts as a measurable, damaging stress response on your cardiovascular and immune systems.
- The Resilience Buffer: Why individuals who practice forgiveness can effectively decouple lifetime stress from psychological decline, protecting their mental health and promoting longevity.
- The REACH Blueprint: A practical, 5-step clinical framework to separate decisional forgiveness from emotional healing, letting us choose release even before our feelings fully catch up.
- The Divine Exchange: How the vertical grace we receive from Christ serves as the foundational energy source required to extend horizontal power toward those who hurt us.
Through the real-world endurance of political leader Nelson Mandela, the timeless biblical narrative of Joseph, and the profound modern journey of Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor, we will see that those who choose forgiveness don’t just survive—they reclaim mastery over their own souls.
Join us to explore how a deliberate choice to let go can stop the cycle of past trauma, protect your health, and restore your personal power.About the speaker
A challenging family crisis coupled with a highly demanding senior leader role at a multi- national company resulted in Margaret having to make trade-offs that ended up with her retiring at the age of 50 in Jan 2013.
There was no second career in the pipeline nor were there any drawn up plans on what next? She was still gunning for promotion and career growth with no inclination of retiring at all. 10 years have gone by and Margaret has not looked back.
Through the journey of new experiences, she has found fulfilment, contentment and renewal in retirement. She has written two books, “One Husband, Two Men” and “Still My Husband” in which she shares her journey as a wife of a man who suffered from schizophrenia. She is currently attending Queenstown Baptist Church.