Forgiving What You Can’t Forget starts recovery
Because just the mention of a certain person causes me to grimace and start replaying scenarios in my mind, I know I struggle with unforgiveness. When a few emails landed in my inbox regarding a new six-week Proverbs 31 Bible study that included reading Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa Terkeurst, I considered ignoring it, but a few days after it started, another invitation arrived. This time, I clicked yes.
Then I spent six weeks studying Forgiving What You Can’t Forget and listening to videos with Lysa Terkeurst and joining discussions around the table via Zoom. I value Terkeurst’s books, so full of sound advice and teaching based on the Bible. Hiding these truths in my heart and mind and digging deep into Scripture helps me to grow in my faith and to become a better person.
A part of me resisted, and another part embraced this tough subject.
Forgiving what you can’t forget takes time
Forgiving, while required to be obedient to God, isn’t easy, especially if wounds keep getting reopened or triggered years and years later. Oh. My. Goodness. Let’s just say, I seem to keep laying stuff down to pick it up again. Forgiveness may be a life-long journey in some situations. It’s impossible in our own human efforts, but not impossible with the help of God through the Holy Spirit.
Lysa shares how forgiveness is about helping ourselves to let go of pain and find joy and peace rather than digging ourselves deeper into bitterness and anger and heaping plots of revenge. Forgiveness is a choice. Holding onto unforgiveness causes us more pain than it does the person who hurt us. Choosing to forgive starts a process. Some issues take longer to work through. Sometimes the relationship reconciles. Sometimes it doesn’t, and that’s okay. I appreciate her honesty, vulnerability, and tenacity. She also addresses boundaries, dealing with codependency, and repeat offenders. Best of all, she includes lots and lots of advice from Scripture.
Forgiving sets you free
This book sounds like one we can return to again and again when we need encouragement to do the tough thing of forgiving someone. She includes chapters discussing forgiving ourselves and forgiving God. She challenges us to rethink our thinking.
Fourteen chapters and some powerful extras ensure that you can digest the information in manageable bites. The process just can’t be rushed.
We’ve all been hurt. Maybe you don’t struggle with forgiving, but I know I do—especially the repeat offenders. Of course, I mess up plenty and need to confess and request forgiveness too. I understand all this. Still, I wrestle with some of it. It’s nice to have a person come alongside me to help work through all the ugly mess as I continue to learn to let God take my burdens. Maybe one day, I’ll get to the point that I will hand over my burdens as soon as they get thrust at me rather than struggle on trying to solve things in my own power.
Forgiving brings us closer to Christ
When we give our sorrows, troubles, “enemies” to Jesus, He promises to settle the accounts in the right way. If vengeance is required, He’ll do it. Our attempts—at least mine—always make things worse. Since God loves us all, He’ll know the best way to make things right.
Having willing hearts sets us on the right path.
If you’re struggling with unforgiveness, I hope you’ll find a copy. May we all wake one day to find ourselves free of unforgiveness, able to love as Jesus does.
This book promises training to be forgiveness ambassadors. As Lysa says, we can’t control others, but we can control how we react to offenses and their costs. Reframing perspectives doesn’t mean denying the problem. It’s processing it to view another through Christ’s eyes and allowing ourselves to let it go so we can live healthier, happier lives.
What steps do you take to resolve hurts? I try to talk it out, but if that isn’t possible, I require a lot of praying.
Book Recommendation: Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa Terkeurst.
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4 Replies to “Forgiving What You Can’t Forget starts recovery”
I can so relate to Lysa’s teaching. Thanks for sharing. I’d never heard of that book.
I’m glad to help let others know about her books. She does have excellent teaching within each book I’ve read. If you decide to read this one, I hope it blesses you, too. Thanks for taking time to share today, Jill.
Definitely sounds like one we should all read, including me. Thanks for sending this great review.
Yes, it’s something that applies to everyone at some level. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Donna.