61 FORGIVENESS HEALS A CHILD’S HURTS.

“If you do that, I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive you,” threatened the parent.

Forgiveness is never an option; it’s a must. Jesus commands us to forgive. If we don’t forgive, our Father in heaven will not forgive us (Matt. 6).

Forgiveness brings healing a restoration into a child’s life. At times, our actions communicate unforgiveness to a child. Here are some unforgiving behaviors we should avoid:

•     The silent treatment

•     Withdrawing love or emotional closeness from a child

•     Constantly bringing up a child’s past failures and mistakes

•     Becoming offended with a child

•     Criticizing our children

•     Belittling our children in front of others

•     Saying that we forgive, but not meaning it

Forgiveness means letting go of the past. We refuse to “go fishing” into the past mistakes and failures of our child. We genuinely forgive and forget.

Be willing to forgive often. Children need lots of forgiveness.

Also, be willing to ask for forgiveness when you make a mistake. Put these words into your vocabulary: “Will you forgive me?”

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven (Matt. 18:21–22).