I Can Forgive With God

by Ganel-Lyn Condie

Are unresolved feelings of anger, resentment, and guilt keeping you from living your best life? It's time to let go of the pain and make the life-changing decision to forgive. A stirring new work from best-selling author Ganel-Lyn Condie, I Can Forgive with God features the personal accounts of an incredible group of women who have harnessed the power of forgiveness after enduring the furnace of affliction. From divorce and death to addiction and abuse, these sisters' experiences are linked by one common the power of absolution is available to all through hard work and faithful reliance on our loving Heavenly Father.

Genres: Lds, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2016

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 personal accounts of forgiving. Provides hope for those who are dealing with heavy burden of pain, guilt and sorrow. I connected with some stories more than others but overall very well done.

[Devb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah. Forgiveness is such a complex and hard thing to battle through. Like up to your neck in thick mud kind of hard. I like that this book wasn’t sugar coated into something we “just have to do” or that it quickly happens. In reality, most forgiveness takes years.

I am impressed with the vulnerability these women shared their experiences. (A couple of them were pretty rough and full of triggers for me.) I understand that sincere apologies don’t always come, some pain you will feel to some degree for the rest of your life and some people just simply hurt others because they are broken. We CAN feel peace and we are perfectly capable to live happy fulfilling lives in spite of the darkness we experienced. Forgiveness will free us. I loved this book.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to think I understood forgiveness--it's something you give to a person when you do something wrong, right? Yes, it is, but it's so much more than that. What about when you are the person who is innocent? The person who has done absolutely nothing wrong? According to the Bible, we are all required to forgive. In my personal life, I've never had trouble offering and accepting forgiveness when the offense was a two-way street, but I've learned so much about another side of forgiveness that for me, has been a huge challenge. I Can Forgive with God may be a book that can help you find peace if you've struggled to forgive someone in a situation where you were an innocent party. This book encompasses all kinds of scenarios and needs of forgiveness, but this is what spoke to me because it's what I needed to hear right now. I needed to hear the reminder, that no matter what has happened to me, I Can Forgive with God. Thank you, Ganel-Lyn Condie for producing a beautiful book that helps people draw closer to Christ and utilize the atonement and the amazing power of forgiveness.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book needs to be read by everyone! The stories are so tender-- It is amazing how life gives us challenges, but through those challenges we have a chance to grow. These women not only grew, but they forgave-- such a great gift. Forgiveness and healing are possible-- but only with God's help. These women will show you how. My heart goes out to each and every one of them. They are such great examples to me. If they can forgive then you and I can too. I highly recommend this book!

[Megan Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are AMAZING. Not only are these women’s faith and the messages about Christ awesome, but they cover a variety of scenarios in which forgiveness is needed, too. Others who hurt, abuse, or betray you, sometimes who will never be sorry and sometimes whom you can heal with. Entire groups of people at times. (I had never heard about how anti-Latter-day Saint Missouri was even just about a decade ago. Wow…!) And yourself.

We can overcome grief, and our hardest heartaches and trials, and see the depth of wonderfulness in others, surprisingly, as we find peace—even over a long time—through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can be stronger. We can amazingly BUILD our testimonies if we choose to, not lose them.

There is no other way to be so well made while again. This book is awesome in that it demonstrates, in many different ways, just how God’s love works that miracle.

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because I know the author of one of the chapters and wanted to read her story. Beyond that though, I found the book to be incredibly emotional and difficult to read due to the things the ladies endured before needing to forgive. I had to skip over sections like those about sexual abuse because I just don't want to go there in my mind. I know we can forgive with God, but some of these chapters would probably be more suited to people that have gone through similar situations and are seeking healing, not just for the casual reader.

[Collette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can always use help on forgiveness of others and myself. I appreciated the heartfelt stories where women shared experiences that seemed impossible to forgive and yet, they did. This was a book filled with hope and gave me pause as I ponder my own life and the places I need to forgive. Thank you for the encouragement. I’m thankful for each of these women and their willingness to share vulnerable things, as well as their process in overcoming. Worth the read.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the subheading indicates, these are true personal accounts of LDS women who have faced all kinds of horrendous affronts and have reached out with God's help to forgive those who have hurt them--including themselves. The affronts include all kinds of abuse and rejection. The book should be a real support for women facing such devastating problems and challenges

[Amy S]

A collection of ten accounts of people finding a way to forgive very difficult things in their lives.
I don’t know how to rate this book with stars. It’s difficult and spiritually challenging in one sense but also just the real pieces of people’s lives so it’s pretty basic and understandable.

Trigger warnings for pretty much all the hard things.

[Stephanie Schmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book! I love the compilation of stories! We all face incredible trials and challenges in life and I love hearing how these women turned to the Lord for help and to get through the difficulties of life!

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to cry, feel the love of your Savior, and ache and learn you have a long ways to go on forgiveness…this book is for you. So many wonderful lessons taught on how we can forgive others and most importantly ourselves. Great book!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
- the stories in this book are so inspiring I couldn't put it down!
- helped me realize that forgiveness of big things is possible, even though it is not easy
- overall, I would definitely recommend it to LDS women!

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fantastic for anyone who needs to forgive themselves or anyone else.

[Marcelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. It is a collection of stories told by women who had to forgive a husband, a father, a bishop, losing a child, etc. First person accounts are always so good.

[Dail Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book about forgiveness. Many stories are shared of granting forgiveness for people in very difficult circumstances.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for everyone!!! Ganel-lyn is such a talented author and has a gift for being about to help others share their stories as well. I especially loved the last two chapters! No spoilers, but with all of the hatred and anger in the world today, we need more people to share their experiences of forgiveness and working towards peace. Love it!!!!

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very interested in reading this story about forgiveness. I've been trying hard to practice forgiving ever since my husband left me and my kids almost eight years ago. There were many days when I struggled not to let bitterness overcome me. Things have gotten better and I have learned to forgive him, but I'm always looking for additional ways to help me. By reading other women's stories and how they were able to learn to forgive was a very healing experience. As one woman said, forgiving doesn't always mean forgetting and it takes time. Not only do you gain insight about how to forgive others, but better yet you gain knowledge about how to forgive yourself in dealing with life's trials and tragedies.

One thing I really loved in the book is what the author said about Forgiveness...

"Forgiveness is an inside job. That work can't be observed, and we don't see the struggle that accompanies this private path."

Those words are so true because often people wear masks and we don't see what they are going through in their lives. We can't judge others and we just need to forgive and let it go. I know that this is hard, believe me, I know. In order to find true happiness and healing though we must go through this process.


The stories in this book cover many topics such as:

Moments of Truth
Marriage/Divorce
Parenthood
Sexual Abuse
Looking Past the Past

As I read this book, I shed many tears for the heartache others have gone through. I also shed tears as I related things to my own life. The tears soon turned to joy as readers see how God can help in the forgiveness process. This book will really help people change their lives for the good.

[Cheri Battrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am one of the contributors to this anthology which contains essays by LDS women who have gone through hard things and have worked to forgive. My chapter (which is chapter 9, "History Taught Me: Forgiveness Begets Forgiveness" is about my experience of moving to Caldwell County, Missouri in 1996 and the struggle I had to forgive the descendants of the mob who lived in my community and whose ancestors hated mine. Caldwell County is where Far West and Hawn's Mill were located in the early years when the Church was in Missouri before the extermination order. My ancestors lived in both locations and survived -- moving on to Nauvoo and subsequently Utah. I was living in Missouri under the direction of the Lord, with the charge to "soften the hearts of the people" and my chapter in this book shares that 7+ year journey.

But my favorite chapter in this book is the final chapter which is about a Palestinian Latter-day Saint who had even harder things to forgive than I did as she had to cross the border into Israel/Jerusalem every sabbath to attend LDS Sunday services. The brutal and persecutory experiences she had every week coming and going from church far exceeded what I experienced in Missouri.

Other chapters are about more personal issues of forgiveness, like forgiving yourself, forgiving family members, church members, and acquaintances. This book really helps us to think about how to better pursue forgiving those who hurt us in various ways and to turn to the Savior for His help with forgiving.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgiveness is a topic that applies to us all. I know that I've had plenty of times in my own life where I needed to forgive or be forgiven. Books like this remind me that I'm not alone in that need. The stories in this book are all true stories although the names for some of them have been withheld to protect privacy which is understandable once you read them. The ladies who are sharing their stories are revealing some very personal information here about heartache and healing. The stories cover the following topics:

Moments of Truth
Marriage
Parenthood
Sexual Abuse
Looking Past the Past
I'll admit right out that I found these stories both touching and compelling. I even found myself with tears in my eyes at times. While I haven't experienced anything quite like these women, I have experienced pain of my own and the healing that they talk about can come to any who seek it through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Some of the wounds mentioned here weren't overcome or healed in a day. In fact most of the experiences shared took years to overcome. And some pain may take a lifetime to heal. But as these ladies point out, it is possible through faith in the healing power and love of Jesus Christ.

[Rachel Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are 10 personal accountants in this book from women who have been through horrible, emotional trials; but who have been able to forgive and find strength in the Lord.

"With the help of this book, you too can find strength in the Lord-the giver of grace-to see your mistakes and others' through the lens of forgiveness".

I have always been very sensitive to others feelings and situations so I knew this book would be hard for me to read. Reading each women's personal stories and how they overcome their trials and learned to forgive themselves or others, was very powerful to read. A lot of prayer was definetly a theme through out this book.

I cried in the very first story of the first chapter. I was devastated! I couldn't even imagine going thru that experience and that mother's pain.

I skipped part 4-sexual abuse section because I knew I couldn't handle reading it.

I am grateful for these strong, courageous women who shared their stories of heartbreak to the world so they could help others going through the same struggles to find hope, forgiveness and love from God.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Covenant Communications in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for 10 incredibly brave women, 5 stars for my best sister friend for her courage and strength to write and compile these amazing stories. As the 2nd book in the "I can with God" series-forgiveness” was a window into the souls of 10 women who shared their most intimate and sacred stories of loss and pain and hope and healing through the power of the atonement.  I was able to  feel the hearts of each of these women and my own path of forgivness seemed to intertwine with each of these stories even though I don’t have the same experiences of loss.   Ultimately, the gift that “I can forgive with God”  portrays so well  is that just over the mountain of grief and pain is the meadow of hope and healing.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I obviously love books about forgiveness and the atonement. This one was a series of essays written by LDS women who had a variety of difficult situations and how they used the atonement of Jesus Christ to forgive and heal. Very powerful!

[Tenille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of essays all focused on forgiveness. forgiveness in many different situations.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good examples

[LAWonder10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ganel-lyn Condie covered a wide variety of injustices mortals often have to endure, plus shares her own past dilemmas. Subject matter covers different types of abuse, pornography, cyber sex, divorce, persecution, and other cruelties of various types. This book offers testimonials of various individuals concerning their sufferings and the  struggles they had to experience in order to forgive.
It is very touching and many will relate to some of the challenges others have had to go through. It offers scriptural support of the need to forgive. Forgiveness is for the individual's good more than for those he/she is required to forgive. The reader will gain a greater inspiration to "let go" of those who have wronged him/her. It is a work of support for anyone who has ever been wronged or who have wronged another. The book also stresses the importance to forgive ones self. Emphasizing many blessings that can attend those who obediently forgive, this is a must read for those who struggle to forgive.
The Atonement is for all of us. Jesus Christ Atoned for ALL mankind's sins, weaknesses and sufferings. Through prayer, faith and determined effort, we can turn them all to Him who has already paid the price. Only then can we become the individual we were meant to become.
This book was compiled and written in a very interesting manner which gently, smoothly goes from one subject matter to another.
This book was gifted to me. I am not asked to give a positive review. This is my honest review.