The door to joy and happiness is forgiveness. It seems to work this way. First, when we forgive we join with God in doing one of God's essential works. Doing the will and work of God brings fulfillment to our lives. Second, forgiveness brings peace to our relationships.
Any parent can tell stories of dealing with the injuries, offenses, and disobedience of children.
Without forgiveness, children can't be raised. Marriage, as our institution and way of being, can't be sustained without mutual forgiveness. Married folk can't keep from injuring each other. Without forgiveness the injuries become wounds and the wounds become fatal. Even more ironic is the reality that most of us can't change destructive behavior until we find that we don't really have to change it.