Are You Happy Because You Forgive & Are Forgiven?

I have heard so many people complain about how someone has wronged them.

Their hearts are bitter and they cannot fathom even the concept of forgiveness.

I was at Denny's last night with a friend who hated his high school baseball coach. This coach just celebrated 500 wins and my friend was plotting how he could write an editorial the next day describing just what kind of person this coach really was.

I recommended that my friend buy a gift card and mail it to the coach and say, "I forgive you for any wrongdoing in the past and wanted to congratulate you on your milestone."

That idea seemed so ridiculous to my friend. Does it seem strange to you? Having the forgiveness of Jesus Christ makes you forgive happily and joyfully. That's the nature of grace.

How Criticism Kills Happiness

My wife pointed out today that I can be quick to criticize.

I was at Chick-fil-A and noticed that the kids' meals have an educational gift that can be exchanged for an ice cream cone.

I said, "I don't like it that I have to choose between education and ice cream."

She rightly said, "So quick to criticize."

And I missed out on the nature of the gift: to bring joy and happiness! Not critique and dissatisfaction!

What are you criticizing that is in turn killing your happiness?