Christmas is over, and as you begin your journey into the New Year, remember that everybody needs forgiveness. No family, marriage, friendship or life can be strong without forgiveness. We live in a world of messy mortals. People will hurt you, make you mad, and let you down. Without forgiveness you are doomed to live mad, and life is too short for that. The teachings of God’s Word are unrelenting about forgiveness. In Ephesians 4:32, it is written, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgive each other just as Christ God forgave you.” Remember what Jesus said in Matthew that when your heart is filled with too much mad, God’s forgiveness can’t get in. Forgiveness is just praying for your enemies and refusing to allow the hurts of your life to keep on hurting you. You have to forgive, because when you are angry and holding on to a grudge, it just robs you of peace, joy, and a sense of being settled. And forgiveness is how you settle it. It is key to healthy relationships. Life is too short to live it mad. Forgive. Who do you need to forgive? Is it your fault, their fault, nobody’s fault? It doesn’t matter. Don’t let anger and bitterness define your life. If you want to be right with yourself and right with God, give away the gift of forgiveness.
– Dr. Tim Thompson