Making Sense of Forgiveness: Moving from Hurt Toward Hope

by Brad Hambrick, Rachael Denhollander (Foreword by)

Overview

Clichés, glib answers, and quick solutions are shared all too often with those who are struggling to forgive or embrace forgiveness. We know Jesus calls us to forgive, but it can be hard to know what that looks like in complicated, messy relationships. Pastor and counselor Brad Hambrick helps readers to understand that forgiveness is the start of a journey that doesn't erase the past, but honestly confronts hurt and clears the way toward healing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781645071433
Publisher:	New Growth Press
Publication date:	10/04/2021
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Brad Hambrick, ThM, EdD, serves as the Pastor of Counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, NC. He also serves as Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a council member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition, and has authored several books including God's Attributes: Rest for Life's Struggles, and served as general editor for the Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused curriculum.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Introduction: A Guide to the Journey Ahead 1

Section 1 Definitions and Misunderstandings

1 Remember, Forgiveness Begins with Pain 4

2 Five Things Forgiveness Is Not 9

3 Three Dimensions of Forgiveness 13

4 Three Things We Don't Need to Forgive 19

5 Why We Shouldn't Forgive Misinterpretations 23

Section 2 Embracing God's Forgiveness

6 God's Forgiveness to Us: Unconditional? 29

7 "Forgive and Forget" and an Omniscient God 34

8 Intrapersonal Forgiveness: Should I Forgive Myself? 39

Section 3 Wisely Extending Forgiveness

9 The Uncomfortable Reality: Forgiveness Is Never Deserved 45

10 Can Boundaries and Forgiveness Coexist? 49

11 Forgiveness and Manipulative Repentance 53

12 Trust As a Proportional Virtue 59

13 Identifying Wise Trust on a Spectrum 64

14 Crisis and Postcrisis Forgiveness 69

15 Remembering Well after Forgiveness 73

Section 4 Embracing Forgiveness from Others

16 Is Embracing Forgiveness from People Harder Than from God? 79

17 Forgiveness and Shame, Not Just Guilt 83

18 The Offensiveness of God Forgiving Sins against Me 88

Section 5 Moving toward What Is Commonly Called "Closure"

19 Forgiveness and Emotional Freedom 93

20 Love Covers a Multitude of Sins 98

21 Forgiveness and Leaving Room for the Wrath of God 103

22 Forgiveness and Protecting Other Vulnerable People 108

23 Forgiveness and Emotional Maturity: Root and Fruit 113

Section 6 Avoiding Ministry Mishaps

24 When Discussing Parables about Forgiveness 119

25 When Discussing Narratives Involving Forgiveness 125

26 When Using Criminal or Traumatic Offenses as Illustrations of Forgiveness 131

27 Forgiveness and the Assurance of Salvation: Religious Scrupulosity 136

Conclusion: The Next Chapter of Your Life 142