"For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14

As we journey through this life, we are faced with many challenges. One of those challenges is dealing with people, especially when they hurt you in a way you never expected. When the hurt sinks in, you become disheartened and a feeling of not forgiving that person comes to the fore. Is this the right approach? It feels good in the beginning to malice that person, to place them in a box. You may even go further, talking all types of grave things about them, just to add a little spice to the situation. However, are we pleasing God with such behavior? In fact, who suffers in such a situation? All the fingers are pointed at us, we have given power to the devil.

If we are Christians, God expects a higher standard from us. Even if we are not Christians, we are expected to conduct our lives in a way that avoids conflicts.

There are usually three things that cause us to have conflicts with friends, families and strangers. Money, land and relationships often come between us and others. This has been the case from the beginning of time.
Matthew 6:14, reinforces the point that if do not forgive others then God will not forgive us. You see friends, hate and animosity eats away at us like a cancer, daily draining every inch of your soul, to the point where you are bitter. God slowly leaves us,and we are susceptible to the devil and his ways.

God teaches us that we should love others as we would love ourselves. There is no hate in love. Love is unconditional, meaning we cannot compromise our position based on silly disagreements.

Jesus Christ took on flesh and came into this reprobate world. It is not because of anything that we did that caused Him to do that. He chose to come so that our sins could be forgiven. Who are we not to forgive others? We are souls just passing through this life, everyday nearer to the grave. If we choose not to forgive each other, we are killing ourselves. God will never be pleased with us, and we will be far from Him.

In my own life, this act of forgiveness has been a challenge, but God's truth has changed my thinking. It does not matter what people have done to me, I am commanded to forgive them. It may hurt friends, but the ease you feel when you surrender to God's wishes, is better than anything in this earthly life.

Now, when you forgive others, they may not accept your forgiveness right away, or they may never. But one thing you know, God will be working on them, so leave it his His hands. They will have a choice to make, you are free  to live your life to the fullest. Enjoy forgiveness today friends, your smile with extend to others.