Forgiving What You Can't Forget Study Guide

Starred review from September 7, 2020
Bestseller TerKeurst (It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way), president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, again plumbs the depths of her heartbreak to help readers through the difficulties of forgiveness in this excellent, revealing rumination. “Forgiveness is God’s divine mercy for human hearts that are so prone to turn hurt into hate,” she writes before referring to betrayals that hurt her, particularly her husband’s affair, and the emotional struggles related to forgiveness, such as bitterness and resentment, that kept her “tortured and, even worse, unable to move forward.” Her advice involves “collecting the dots” (knowing one’s story), “connecting the dots” (understanding the past and how it influences the present), and “correcting the dots” (changing perceptions to see things differently). 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. Therefore, I must forgive.” An appendix of relevant scripture verses and an assortment of downloadable resources available through the book’s companion website round things out. TerKeurst’s fans will love this stirring, realistic look at confronting the arduous aspects of forgiveness.