Forgiveness is vital. If anger or resentment is allowed to linger, bitterness will likely to develop. Bitterness can quickly destroy a person, both emotionally and physically. Forgiveness should not be delayed, but must be genuine, quick, and thorough. Sincerity and humilty are also essential to truly forgiving one's offenders.
B. I will not cover up my own wrongs but will be quick to ask for forgiveness.
When a wrong is committed, it must be acknowledged immediately, and the offender must ask forgiveness of those who have been offended. A child's natural inclination is to hide or cover up faults, but the usual outcome is guilt. Over time, guilt hardens people so that they no longer consider others feelings. Teachers can encourage children to see the consequences of covering their wrongs and benefits of correcting them. Those who acknowledge their guilt and who seek to ask for forgiveness develop a rich understanding of humility. A child must also recognize that his or her responsibilty is to ask for forgiveness for an offense he or she has commited. It is the other person's responsibility to forgive the child. All the offender can do is check his or her attitudes and be sincere in requesting forgiveness. The outcome is dependent on the offended person's response.
C. I will not seek revenge.
Responding to someone with revenge damages both parties. Even if a person wants to forgive, it can be very difficult. The pain of an offense is often so deep, it seems impossible to forgive. Those who give up their right to avenge themselves for the sake of correcting the wrong, rather than becoming part of it, will experience real joy. When students respond their offenders with forgiveness and do not seek revenge, they demonstrate a strength of character and strong self-control.
D. I will respond kindly to those who hurt me.
Forgiveness is not ignoring what has happened; it is overcoming an offense with kindness toward the offender. The decision to forgive must overrule feelings. It is a choice to respond kindly to people and to invest time, energy, or resources in the offender's life. Investing in an offender and returning good for wrong is an important part of true forgiveness.
It is also important for children to inform their authorities if someone has hurt or offended them. Forgiveness does not negate a child's responsibilty to be openly truthful with parents or teachers.
E. I will not take up offenses for others.
When someone hurts a person that a child cares about, the child will often take up an offense for the friend or loved one. The hard, bur wise, thing to do is to forgive the offender. It would also be right to encourage the friend or loved one to forgive and help him or her to see the importance of responding correctly.
Source: Character Training Institute.
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