Struggling to Forgive
Moving on from trauma
Published on 20. July 2014
272 pages
978-0-85721-562-8 (ISBN)
Description
Forgiveness is a central tenet of the Christian faith and yet it is so difficult to embrace and put into practise. With sensitivity and grace, Dr Sue Atkinson explores what it means. The example of Christians forgiving others is often heralded as one of the great signs of Christian love and yet the call to forgive can have a darker side, particularly for victims of injustice and trauma as it can add to their despair and guilt if they do not 'feel' love or the ability to forgive. Well-meaning Christians can make their situation worse with insensitivity and bluntness. In this timely and empathetic book, full of anecdote, story and illustration, Dr Sue Atkinson, tackles what the call to forgive really means. What do we really do when we forgive? Exploring Jesus teaching about forgiveness and justice, she explodes myths and outlines practical ways in which we can let go of resentments. Highly accessible and sensitive this important book will be a means of grace and comfort for those embracing the challenges of forgiveness.
More details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
La Vergne
United Kingdom
Publishing group
SPCK Publishing
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Reflowable
ISBN-13
978-0-85721-562-8 (9780857215628)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
07/2014
Monarch Books
€32.39
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
SUE ATKINSON is the author of CLIMBING OUT OF DEPRESSION, a highly successful book which has proved invaluable to many sufferers because it is written from the point of view of a sufferer rather than an 'expert'. Sheis a specialist in mathematics education and has co-authored a definitive maths teaching scheme. The wife of a CoE archdeacon, she has four grown up children and lives in Norwich.
Content
Contents
Acknowledgments 9
Foreword by Elaine Storkey 11
Preface 13
Section A
1. How Do We Start to Think About What Forgiving Means? 19
2. The Complications of Forgiveness 25
Section B
3. Richard and Marion's Stories: A Difficult and Confusing Process 37
4. Jamie's Story: Weird Christian Thinking, and Striving for Justice 43
5. Diana's Story: Forgiveness isn't a "Cure-all" 49
6. John's Story: Forgive Now, or You're Doomed 54
7. My Mother's Story: Hatred Going Down the Generations 58
8. Attacked: Dealing with Outrage and Seeking Justice 62
9. Louise and Her Children are Abandoned: The Relationship Between Forgiving and
Getting an Apology 68
10. Lizzie and the Sex Offender: More Weird Christian Thinking 73
11. Everyday Forgiving: Problems in Ongoing Relationships 78
Section C
12. It's Not the Same for Everyone 91
13. The Bible and Forgiveness 99
14. God's Forgiveness and Ours 114
15. It's All a Matter of Attitude 124
16. Letting Go 132
17. Justice for Everyone 142
18. Trivializing Forgiveness 151
19. Truth Telling and the Link to Justice 156
20. Saying Sorry: Apologies and Burdens 168
21. Why Can't We Shrug it Off? 174
22. Why is Forgiving So Hard Sometimes? 183
23. It Takes Time to Forgive: Limbic Lag 192
24. Forgiving Ourselves and God 200
25. Can We Define Forgiveness? The Forgiveness Umbrella 208
26. The Forgiving Process: Untangling Some Threads 214
Section D
27. Strategies to Lighten the Load 228
28. For Supporters of People Who are Struggling with Forgiving 247
Resources 265
Acknowledgments 9
Foreword by Elaine Storkey 11
Preface 13
Section A
1. How Do We Start to Think About What Forgiving Means? 19
2. The Complications of Forgiveness 25
Section B
3. Richard and Marion's Stories: A Difficult and Confusing Process 37
4. Jamie's Story: Weird Christian Thinking, and Striving for Justice 43
5. Diana's Story: Forgiveness isn't a "Cure-all" 49
6. John's Story: Forgive Now, or You're Doomed 54
7. My Mother's Story: Hatred Going Down the Generations 58
8. Attacked: Dealing with Outrage and Seeking Justice 62
9. Louise and Her Children are Abandoned: The Relationship Between Forgiving and
Getting an Apology 68
10. Lizzie and the Sex Offender: More Weird Christian Thinking 73
11. Everyday Forgiving: Problems in Ongoing Relationships 78
Section C
12. It's Not the Same for Everyone 91
13. The Bible and Forgiveness 99
14. God's Forgiveness and Ours 114
15. It's All a Matter of Attitude 124
16. Letting Go 132
17. Justice for Everyone 142
18. Trivializing Forgiveness 151
19. Truth Telling and the Link to Justice 156
20. Saying Sorry: Apologies and Burdens 168
21. Why Can't We Shrug it Off? 174
22. Why is Forgiving So Hard Sometimes? 183
23. It Takes Time to Forgive: Limbic Lag 192
24. Forgiving Ourselves and God 200
25. Can We Define Forgiveness? The Forgiveness Umbrella 208
26. The Forgiving Process: Untangling Some Threads 214
Section D
27. Strategies to Lighten the Load 228
28. For Supporters of People Who are Struggling with Forgiving 247
Resources 265
