Struggling to Forgive: Moving on from trauma

Sue Atkinson

July 2014 · Monarch Books

About this eBook

Forgiveness is a central tenet of the Christian faith and yet it is so difficult to embrace and put into practise. With sensitivity and grace, Dr Sue Atkinson explores what it means. The example of Christians forgiving others is often heralded as one of the great signs of Christian love and yet the call to forgive can have a darker side, particularly for victims of injustice and trauma as it can add to their despair and guilt if they do not 'feel' love or the ability to forgive. Well-meaning Christians can make their situation worse with insensitivity and bluntness. In this timely and empathetic book, full of anecdote, story and illustration, Dr Sue Atkinson, tackles what the call to forgive really means. What do we really do when we forgive? Exploring Jesus teaching about forgiveness and justice, she explodes myths and outlines practical ways in which we can let go of resentments. Highly accessible and sensitive this important book will be a means of grace and comfort for those embracing the challenges of forgiveness.

About the author

SUE ATKINSON is the author of CLIMBING OUT OF DEPRESSION, a highly successful book which has proved invaluable to many sufferers because it is written from the point of view of a sufferer rather than an 'expert'. She is a specialist in mathematics education and has co-authored a definitive maths teaching scheme. The wife of a CoE archdeacon, she has four grown up children and lives in Norwich.