As we mature, we all realize, sooner or later, that we have "hang-ups," those little idiosyncrasies that make us distinct; those "difficult" things that we have to cope with; those things that are hard for us to understand and overcome. They hinder, they bind and they "hang us up" so that we cannot reach our potential as individuals. If we could free ourselves from these hang-ups, the world would be a much better place in which to live, and we would enjoy living much more than we do. These hang-ups come from many different sources. We are truly the product of all our experiences as well as our genetic inheritance. This combination-character, behavior, dreams, ambitions and philosophy-makes us what we are: As we go through life, the hard knocks produce hurts and bruises; the positive, good experiences produce growth and love. All of this comes from human relationships. In the process of relating to each other we "rub off" the rough spots or blemishes and heal the bruises, hurts and hard knocks. If we live according to the principles laid down in God's Word, we come out of all these experiences better people because we have benefited from God's grace-a grace that not only flows from God to us, but from God's children to us as well. As we are shaped, bent, fitted and fashioned by the forces that God brings to lean on us, we can truly become God-like individuals. If you study the life of Christ, you are quickly struck by the fact that though he was God, he was indeed man. Just like you and I, He experienced all the emotions, all the temptations, all the negatives and all the positives during his life here on earth. He was pretty much like you and me. He, too, had to grow and mature to apoint before his ministry started. He continued to grow and mature even after the beginning of his ministry. His life made a difference in his world. So, too, you and I can live lives that make a difference. Long after we are gone, our lives can testify that the world was made a better place because we lived.