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Read these stories of forgiveness from people who have earned the right to talk about overcoming hurt, and about the peace of mind they have found in doing so.
In Why Forgive? Arnold avoids glib pronouncements by letting the untidy experiences of ordinary people speak for themselves – people who have earned the right to talk about overcoming hurt, and about the peace of mind they have found in doing so. "Hurt" is an understatement, actually, for these stories deal with the harrowing effects of violent crime, betrayal, abuse, bigotry, gang warfare, and genocide. But Why Forgive? examines life's more mundane battle scars as well: the wounds caused by backbiting, gossip, strained family ties, marriages gone cold and tensions in the workplace. As in life, not every story has a happy ending – a fact Arnold refuses to skirt. The book also addresses the difficulty of forgiving oneself, the futility of blaming God, and the turmoil of those who simply cannot forgive, even though they try.
Twelve years ago, Why Forgive? appeared in bookstores under the title "Seventy Times Seven" – a reference to Jesus’s advice on how many times we should be ready to forgive in one day. Today, translated into more than 20 languages, this modest but compelling volume of true stories has been reprinted hundreds of times, and sold or distributed to audiences around the world.
Why Forgive? Read these stories, and decide for yourself.
I once heard a quote that the hallmark of a successful marriage was two good forgivers. Your chapter, "Forgiveness and Marriage" really struck a chord in me as it resonated this quote that I haven't really reflected on after I heard it....I thought of how being a good forgiver is also important in the mother-daughter relationship. This relationship is almost as intimate as marriage so it requires being vulnerable, humble and forgiving...
...I was really touched by Steven McDonald's story in the chapter, "Not a Step, But a Journey". I thought it was amazing that Mr. McDonald found it in his heart to forgive Shavon for shooting him that night in Central Park. His life has suffered greatly because of Shavon's mistake. Mr. McDonald could have retaliated and chosen to stay angry with Shavon, but instead, he decided to show Shavon the love Shavon did not receive in his life on the streets. ...You allowed me to see how people with the most traumatic circumstances are able to forgive people that do not deserve to be forgiven. You made me realize that I should learn how to forgive people on a regular basis more than I do now. For that and many more, thank you for sharing the beautiful stories I read and learned in your book.
...When I read of the commitment, conviction and pure courage of the people whose stories you tell, and how it is they came to forgive their perpetrators, I am convinced forgiveness is possible in all situations. I suppose that must mean it's possible in the situations in my life as well. I guess I don't have an excuse do I? What has been most poignant are the stories of those who forgave on the spot, those who did not take what I would have thought was required time to "think through" the situations and then decide to forgive, and then work through the issues, and then by the Grace of God offer forgiveness..... Thank you for providing holy insights into the mysterious human question that you yourself asked and I believe inspired your book, "How can such a man ever be forgiven?"
I recommend this book to anybody who has experienced any sort of tragedy in their life and that tragedy has held them back in anyway! Forgiving is not about forgetting, it's about not letting a wrong hold you back! I've had the pleasure of meeting Pastor Arnold a few times and his kind words wether written in a book or spoken in person always have profound meaning for those who hear him speak!
