I Should Forgive, But...2nd Edition: Finding Release from the Bondage of Anger and Bitterness

by Chuck Lynch, Gary Smalley (Foreword)

Forgiveness is hard but not impossible. When you can't forgive someone who has hurt you, the last thing you want is a guilt trip for not forgiving. For over 40 years, Dr. Chuck Lynch has asked people who can't forgive to honestly explain why they can't. When their legitimate concerns are addressed to their satisfaction, over 90% are able to forgive. I Should Forgive, But...identifies common reasons it is hard to forgive. * "...but I'm not angry!" Admitting your anger can help to identify your legitimate needs.* "...but I can't forget." Why the forgive-and-forget approach doesn't work.* "...but someone has to pay." How to use revenge as the back door to forgiveness.* "...but they won't acknowledge what they did." Forgiveness is possible even when reconciliation isn't.* "...but they'll only do it again." How to break free from the "victim" trap mentality.* "...but I'm living with the memories." How to gain freedom from the control of the past.I Should Forgive, But... will give you psychologically sound and scripturally based answers to the hindrances to forgiveness. One reader commented, "It was easily the most powerful book, outside of the Bible, I have ever read. I cannot believe how many answers to my years of pain are in there." Read, my friend, and be free.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 1998

Reviews

[Julie Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the best books on forgiveness around. I recommend it to anyone needing some guidance on how to forgive hard things.

[Ashlyne Cornejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I read this book, I felt a lot of resentment and a lot of unforgiveness and until one of my mentors gave me this book to release all of my hate, I've never felt more free. I feel like as if this book has gotten me to look at things differently and be able to love how God loves us. It felt like a breath of fresh air that I was longing for. I highly recommend this book.

[Lynn Bingaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me some new insights on forgiveness. I didn't always agree with the theology, but found some of the concepts quite note-worthy.