When You've Been Wronged: Moving From Bitterness to Forgiveness

Imagine walking through a maximum security prison and seeing the cell keys hanging inside the cells.  By choosing not to forgive, we voluntarily sentence ourselves to diminished, pain-filled lives.  Why would anyone do such a thing?  Because forgiveness seems an inappropriate response to offense.  To experience a broken promise, betrayed confidence, personal rejection, false accusation, injury, or abuse, is to be wounded. Such wounds cry out for justice.  But what if justice is not possible?  Or if it doesn't undo the damage done?  What then?  In this concise, quickly-read volume, noted pastor and author Erwin Lutzer carefully illustrates how it is possible to right the wrongs of your life.  Whether you've been wronged--or have wronged others--he makes it possible to experience the freedom of forgiveness, and the restoration of a clear conscience.

You’ve been wronged.

Have lies have been told about you? Have you been rejected? Maybe you’ve been the victim of abuse. Perhaps it’s a broken promise. Or someone betrayed a confidence.

It’s only natural that you would be angry. These wounds cry out for justice! But what if justice isn’t possible this side of heaven? What if the damage can’t be undone? What then?

You have a decision to make.

You can hold on to your anger until your anguish builds a prison of bitterness. In this cage you will live a diminished and pain-filled life. Or you can choose to forgive.

Erwin Lutzer discusses dealing with difficult people such as “spear throwers” and “destroyers,” as well as handling conflict among family members and Christians in the courtroom. In this concise, quickly read volume, you’ll learn how to move from bitterness to blessing.

By choosing forgiveness you are choosing abundant life. It’s a decision you can make today!