The simplicity of a child’s attitude is a beautiful and refreshing quality. Children see the world with unclouded eyes, unaffected by the complexities and prejudice that often come with age. They approach life with a genuine curiosity, eagerly asking questions and seeking to understand the world around them. Their innocence leads them to see the good in people and situations, making them quick to trust and slow to judge. This simplicity of trust and openness allows them to form bonds and friendships with ease, often breaking down social barriers that adults may encounter.

Furthermore, a child’s attitude is characterized by an absence of pretense and a lack of self-consciousness. They are unafraid to express their emotions and desires openly, without fear of judgment. Their actions and reactions are guided by their immediate feelings, making their expressions of joy, sadness, or excitement genuine and unfiltered. No wonder Jesus said, “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15. Understanding this is extremely significant in our outlook on life generally and in relating with others around us.

One of the attitudes of a child I personally cherish is their ability to forgive very quickly, I remember as a child how I would tell my friends when they offended me that I wouldn’t play with or share my toys with them ever again only for me to return to them within a space of 10 minutes or thereabouts to continue our play like nothing ever happened. You are probably smiling at that illustration right now because it brought back your memories as a child.

Who hasn’t been hurt by the actions or words of another? Perhaps you grew up in a home without love, or you were abandoned by a parent, you could have been molested by a close friend or relative or perhaps a stranger. A friend or colleague could have sabotaged your work and taken your opportunities. Maybe you’ve had a traumatic experience, such as being physically or emotionally abused or maybe your partner cheated on you by having an affair. These and many more wounds can leave lasting feelings of broken trust, pain, resentment, bitterness, and anger — sometimes even hatred and guilt. If you have experienced this or something different entirely, know that you are not alone and you definitely do not deserve those hurts and pain.

I know that forgiving someone who has deeply hurt you can be far more challenging than child’s play. Illustrating this through the perspective of a child may appear to diminish the seriousness of the harm inflicted upon you. However, forgiving as a child does is precisely how God would want you to approach it.

Why would you forgive and let go when you were hurt badly?

Because of your sanity – when you let go and forgive, you’re not condoning the wrongdoer’s actions, but rather, letting go ease the weight of unsettled emotions. One of the physical feelings that is common when you remember and fume in rage over an offense is chest/heart pain. This is you still experiencing the grip of that hurt and letting it control you and hold you back. Yes, I know you experience so much anger, so much sadness, so much confusion but these feelings will keep you from living and enjoying the present or even seeing the light ahead in the future. When you forgive, you make way for your own peace and pave the way for healing. The sad part about holding grudges is that you are the one feeling the pain, the offender might have forgotten the offense, found peace, and moved on or even unrepentant.

Forgiving your offender does not erase the punishment – when we think about forgiveness sometimes, it feels like we have excused the offender from getting punished especially when the offense is punishable by law. That is not the case, be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished. Proverbs 11:21. We should understand however that our heart is not the prison where offenders should be held, doing this will in turn keep you in prison of pain and constantly reliving the past.

 
Forgiveness is a process however and does not just happen, take one step after another, from recognizing the need to forgive to identifying the benefits you would enjoy thereafter.

The individual you are forgiving probably has not even changed from their bad acts and behavior, in this case, it is important to know you are not in control of another individual actions, but you have the power to change only what you have control over.

What did the bible say about forgiveness?

Romans 12:17-19 (NIV)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord.

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Luke 17:3-4 (NIV)

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”