How Do I Forgive? 2.0: Healing the Family (Forgiveness)

Whether you grew up in church or not, it is common knowledge that forgiveness is healthy. Even atheists understand this concept. For the Christ-follower, we definitely know we are commanded to forgive our enemies—seventy times seven, as the Bible instructs. That is a lot of forgiving! Nevertheless, the most devout Christ-followers often struggle with forgiveness at a deeper level.I grew up in church. Forgiveness was commonly taught. I wanted to forgive, and it came readily to me. However, when my first marriage fell apart, and horrible things were inflicted upon me, forgiveness became an impossible task. Intellectually, I knew I needed to forgive. I wanted to do it, but it eluded me. No matter how many times I prayed, “Lord, help me forgive him,” it didn’t take. When I finally thought I had succeeded, I ranted about how despicable he was as soon as his name was mentioned. Clearly, my verbal statement of forgiveness was inactive. What was I to do? How could I forgive such atrocities against me?I answered these questions and more in the 2022 short version of How Do I Forgive. After counseling a family in distress in early 2026, the Lord impressed upon me the need to write an expanded version geared toward healing whole families. Section one is the first short book walking through biblical forgiveness. Section two is a more in-depth breakdown of how to apply forgiveness to ourselves and others, and how to allow it to infiltrate our families so that many can be set free from the weight of unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, malice, wrath, depression, sorrow, and more.Too many families have been overtaken by Satan from generational unforgiveness, mercilessness, gracelessness, and lovelessness because individuals who have been hurt could not comprehend how God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness work supernaturally. It is time to stop allowing the devil to take from us what God designed to be a generational blessing. God longs to bestow His Kingdom blessings, but we stand in His way when we choose unforgiveness. Sometimes, it does not feel like a choice, which is part of the evil one’s great deception. Everything is possible when we surrender fully to the Lord and His ways. Your family can be rescued, one person at a time. Read more