There is freedom in forgiveness, and you want that freedom for your child. But where do you start? How can you teach them to let go of the pain and embrace the freedom of forgiveness? Here are three points to help you do just that:

1.God Reached Out to Us First

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” –Romans 5:6-8

God began the process of reconciliation first. We didn’t even know we needed forgiveness; that’s how lost we were in our sin. In the same way, we are called to forgive whether the person asks for it or not.

2.God Looks Past the Ugly

“He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” –Psalm 103:10-12

Remember, God is perfect. There is no sin in Him—not even one. Not an evil thought. Not a careless comment. Not a bad habit. So when He forgave us, He looked past all of that and more. When He instructs us to forgive, He is asking us to follow His example by looking past the ugly.

3.God Requires Forgiveness

“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.  But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” –Mark 11:24-25

Forgiveness brings blessing. It allows you to remain in the flow of God’s love, and it is a requirement for having a relationship with Him.

Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it is necessary. By teaching the importance of it to your child, you are putting him or her on a path to a richer and more fulfilling life without the controlling effects of offense and bitterness. Don’t wait; begin teaching your child these principles today!

As always, if you need a partner to agree with you in prayer, please call our prayer ministers at 0860103356 or submit a prayer request. Any day of the year, we’re here for you!