Genuine love is an exercise in forgiveness. If we wish to build lasting relationships, we must learn how to forgive. Why? Because our loved ones are imperfect (as are we). How often must we forgive our families and friends? More times than we can count. Why? Because that is what God wants us to do. Perhaps granting forgiveness is hard for many of us. If so, we are not alone. Genuine, lasting forgiveness is always difficult to achieve—difficult but not impossible. Thankfully with God’s help, all things are possible, and that includes forgiveness. But even though God is willing to help, He expects us to do some of the work. And make no mistake, forgiveness is work. Let us allow forgiveness to rule our hearts even when we know it is difficult. Let us obey God and be persons who forgive others just as He has forgiven us. Let us be an asset and an encouragement to the body of Christ. The payoffs are worth the efforts. – Mark 11:25