Pray all the words and let the tears flow into sobs and demands and frustrations and doubts mixed with hope. Instead, I choose to place my trust in who He is and declare Him good in the midst of all the unknowns. If healing hasn't' been worked out and forgiveness hasn't' been walked out, chaos is what will continue to play out.

Just that alone was so helpful and validating for me, to help me realize that I *have* forgiven, but the reason I still struggle is because I need to continue to forgive xyz for the impact of how what they did continues to effect me. Wrongs we deem were never made right are incredibly stealthy in their ability to sit, quietly seething, until that one more wrong done to us gives them permission to finally scream. I had high expectations for this book considering the topic of forgiveness, because Lord knows it’s very hard to forgive people and let go of hurt that’s caused. I purchased FWYCF a couple of years ago, but didn’t get around to reading it until recently when my church had a women’s Bible study on it. Throughout, TerKeurst reminds readers that “the goal with forgiveness isn’t perfection—it’s progress” and that none of it is possible without Jesus: “I am forgiven.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess. My ability to heal cannot be conditional on them wanting my forgiveness but only on my willingness to give it.

I'm also aware TerKuerst ended up divorcing her husband after the publication of this title, so any positives she mentioned in her story feel inauthentic. God owes us nothing and nowhere does the Bible say anything about our wants and timeframes being met because we prayed about it.We all need someone to listen to our problems and try to help us out, but this only brought to me a story of her life. I mean I could have figured that out by googling the author, but I didn’t I just downloaded it and started reading.

Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of unresolved pain, playing offenses over and over in your mind? Additionally, she has appeared on the Today Show as one of the leading voices in the Christian community.

It's also beginning to be a red flag when someone has a widely popular ministry, as Biblical Truth is generally not met with a wide appeal. But in surprising ways, she’s discovered how to let go of bound-up resentment and overcome the resistance to forgiving people who aren’t willing to make things right. Her story moved me in such a way that I’m now recounting my own hurts and finding them like tiny pieces of dust I can sweep away with a cloth.