Getting Rid of the Gorilla: Confessions on the Struggle to Forgive

by Brian C. Jones

Living with an unforgiving heart is like living with a gorilla. The beast follows you everywhere. He squeezes marriages. He stinks up friendships. He growls at family gatherings and beats his chest at church. An unforgiving heart ruins relationships, affecting everyone and everything you touch. Maybe you've tried and failed to forgive someone who's hurt you. Maybe you aren't sure you even want to try. In these confessions from Brian Jones's own struggle, find hope and strength for finally getting rid of the gorilla in your life.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2011

About the author

Hi, I’m Brian.

If you’re like most people I talk to, your mind feels crowded. You’re tired, overextended, and longing for peace — not as a theory, but as a way of life.

I know that ache. For years I lived as an ambitious pastor, pushing too hard until anxiety, exhaustion, and depression caught up with me. But everything changed when my wife and I moved to the edge of a forest — a slower, quieter pace of life where I began to hear God again.

Now I write to help people trade inner chaos for lasting peace — by learning to think and live in the way of Jesus.

Each week, I’ll send reflections from the forest’s edge — stories, insights, and practices to help you slow down, pay attention, and rediscover peace in your mind, body, and spirit. To receive those please go to www.brianjonesletters.substack.com

Take a deep breath. You’re among friends.

— Brian

Reviews

[Denise Burrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Best books I have read on the subject of Forgiveness
I highlighted so much of this book. The stories are ones I can relate to and he talks to you through his words like he is sitting across from you

[Scott K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks, Brian

What a challenging and poignant read. I am only sorry that it took me this long to get around to it.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book Ive ever read about forgiveness.Enough said....

[Jared Herstine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

[Lyle Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was filled with the authors personal stories of his struggle to forgive. He basis his personal struggle to forgive on one incident in his life that he could not get over, and how that fed him to not forgive others who have wronged him, annoy him. I love the fact he is coming from a personal struggle. He doesn't claim to have arrived at forgiving, but from the scriptures he knows what he needs to do. He shares his triumphs in some of these areas where he has learned to forgive. He also shares some of his failures. This book is down to earth and funny at parts because of the author's sense of humor. It's not a deep theology book, but it does refer to scripture, and what the the author thinks we need to do in light of what scripture tells us to do.

[Chuck Musselwhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most practical and applicable book I come across on the subject of forgiveness. I have read his blog Senior Pastor Central for years and this book surpasses all of his blogs. He gives great theology of forgiveness and the Ellis you how to apply it to your life. The end of the book is actually better than the beginning.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

In many ways this was a very helpful book with some hands on ideas for learning to forgive others and yourself. The best was a step by step guide to having a monthly one day retreat. However, for me, it left many questions unanswered...

[Alex Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for free, and was pleasantly surprised. Very entertaining read and a good insight into forgiveness.

[Sharmaine Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the ending to this book!! The author is wonderful in the way he recounts stories, and it's very easy to connect to what he's saying.

[Alisa Franz · Rating 4 out of 5]

awesome