People the world over come to June to find Gods truth for todays problems. Her amazing insights have helped me personally through the difficult issues of forgiveness. I know they will help you.
Debbie Brunson
Author, speaker, and colleague in ministry to pastors wives
Page by page, June walks you through the step-by-step process to forgiveyes, even the unforgivable. If you want your days ahead to be better than the days gone by, this is a must-read for you.
Dr. Tony Evans
Senior Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship
President, The Urban Alternative
True forgiveness is possible, no matter how much youve been hurt. Junes personal journey is proof!
Suellen Roberts
Founder and President, Christian Women in Media Association
Those of us who have had to forgive the unforgivable will find tremendous hope in healing. She speaks from the heart with truth, directly to your broken soul.
Stephen Arterburn
Founder, New Life Ministries and author of Healing as a Choice
June has practiced what she preaches! She knows the forgiveness process because shes had to go through it. Her journey brings credibility to what she shares and you will love the grace, the support, and the direction you receive when you put How to ForgiveWhen You Dont Feel Like It into practice. It works!
Dave Carder
Author, Torn Asunder: Recovering from an Extramarital Affair
One of the hardest things for us to do is forgive. We all know we should be willing to forgive and that God gives us specific ways to do so. But when someone hurts us deeplyits difficult. Through Junes experience and Gods Word on forgiveness, youll be able to forgive those you really dont feel like forgiving. Its a great read for everyone!
John Baker
Founder, Celebrate Recovery
Pastor, Signature Ministries, Saddleback Church
June Hunt knows how the power of forgiveness frees us from the burden of resentment. How to Forgive tells true stories of forgivers whove found freedom and release by forgiving those who hurt them. June teaches that the victim suffers more from an unforgiving heart than the perpetrator. And I know from experience the forgiver experiences greater freedom through forgiveness than the one being forgiven.
Wayne Pederson
President, Reach Beyond
Author, Reach Beyond: Comfort, Courage and the Cause of Christ
I am grateful for the very personal and biblical approach to forgiveness presented by June in How to ForgiveWhen You Dont Feel Like It . The Messiahs words in Matthews 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercymean more to me now after reading this wonderful book. I also deeply appreciate Junes very practical suggestions on how to overcome the resentment, bitterness, and negativity arising from an unforgiving heart.
I recommend this book to those who want to forgive others as the Messiah has forgiven us, but who need helplike I doin finding the motivation and strength to do so. Junes book will help you!
Dr. Mitch Glaser
President, Chosen People Ministries
Coauthor, The People, the Land, and the Future of Israel
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Verses marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Verses marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Italicized text in Scripture quotations indicates authors emphasis.
Cover by Garborg Design Works, Savage, Minnesota
Cover photo Peter Gerdehag / Jupiterimages
HOW TO FORGIVEWHEN YOU DONT FEEL LIKE IT
Copyright 2007 by Hope for the Heart, Inc.
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
ISBN 978-0-7369-5589-8 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-5590-4 (eBook)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hunt, June.
How to forgivewhen you dont feel like it / June Hunt.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-7369-2148-0
1. ForgivenessReligious aspectsChristianity. I. Title.
BV4647.F55H86 2007
234.5dc22
2007007023
All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of authors and publishers rights is strictly prohibited.
This book is dedicated to my forever friend, Barbarato the first friend willing to extend full forgiveness to meto my grace friend who was willing to look beyond my fault and see my need. Thank you for allowing God to use your forgiving heart to be a part of my emotional and spiritual healing. You consistently give me hope for my heart.
I have the privilege of working with what I believe is the greatest ministry team on earththe dedicated staff and volunteers of Hope for the Heart. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.
With heartfelt appreciation to:
Carolyn White, Elizabeth Gaston, Jill Prohaska, and Barbara Spruill, who worked countless hours to fine-tune the manuscript
Keith Wall, who converted a mountain of interview notes, audio archives, and written materials into a wonderful first draft
Mark Overstreet, Brad Ray, and Jeanne Sloan, who helped me think about rocks in a new way!
Connie Steindorf, Bea Garner, and Titus OBryant, whose behind-the-scenes support work was invaluable
Steve Miller, my Harvest House editor, whose deft touch graces these pages, and
Kay Deakins (who deserves a medal) for keeping the rest of us on task during this entire process.
Finally, I give highest praise to my Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, for not giving up on me. His forgiveness is why I have a story to tell about the lifechanging freedom of true forgiveness.
On a Personal Note
Throughout the writing of this book, I have repeatedly thought about those whom I have hurt in the pastand my heart has grieved. I am without excuse. I cannot help but ask forgiveness from the deepest part of my heart. Many times I have prayed, Lord, may I see my sin as You see itmay I hate my sin as You hate it. He has painfully answered my prayer. His cleansing love has enabled me to walk in the light as He Himself is in the light (1 John 1:7 NASB ).
Contents
APPENDICES
R ESENTMENTRAGERETALIATION . Ever struggled with forgiveness? Ever thought it was impossible? Ever knew you oughta but didnt wanna ? I believe the majority of the worlds population is struggling with forgivenessright now! If you are human (which you are) and if you are reading this book (which you are), you have been hurtdeeply and profoundlyand have faced the formidable foe of un forgiveness.
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