The Forgiving path

I went from hating my perpetrator, not wanting to be reconciled with them, and really wanting them to get more that what they deserved, no mercy, for them to feel the pain, and the shame that they put me through. That was Wednesday morning. By Wednesday evening I had so much peace for them.

Tshepo M. (Johannesburg SA)

“Such Good News!”

“To be able to come before this celestial judge and to hear from him that my case has been heard and to know that he’s heard the damage those crimes have done, and that restoration is possible is such good news!” 

Chris M.- Kelowna BC

Station 6, the mourning station, gave me opportunity to cry and to cry out deeply from years of holding it in, keeping it safe, without embarrassment or shame.

Anonymous (Den, Co.)

“I was surprise when I asked the Lord who I should be bringing to trial–I thought I was all done with that–I experienced healing and release.”

Anonymous

“I mostly feel relieved that some of the guilt I have been internalizing has been lifted. I feel worthy…I should not feel like it is all my fault that I was unloved.”

Anonymous (Co.)

“This [crime] does not have to own me anymore. I do not have to define myself by another’s [abusive] behavior.”

Anonymous (Co.)

I accepted the invitation to The Forgiving Path. I was asked to name a specific crime. I decided to choose the hardest one, my dad and his crimes against me and in turn my failure to forgive him.

In that hour and over the following weeks my life changed. I got my hearing. I got my day in court. I didn’t have to minimize my pain and anger. I got the justice I longed to have. In the Forgiving Path I learned why I couldn’t give it to God in the past. It wasn’t mine to give. I was no longer engaged only by the theoretical forgiveness of Jesus. But at most I hoped for some relief of the burden. I simply didn’t expect the incredible and joyful forgiveness of Jesus. My shackles have been removed and I have great sympathy for my father and his brokenness secure in the knowledge that Christ loves him and cares for him and wants him desperately. And me. I learned what it truly meant that the judgment belongs to God. He will handle things with my dad. And I do not need to.

Eric P.- Colorado

“I was just ending the long process of a divorce that I did not want after thirty years of marriage.  Needless to say, I had a lot of pent up emotions; anger, bitterness, sadness, grief….all predominantly directed towards my spouse…Going through the Forgiving Path helped me to see and understand that forgiveness was not an event, but rather an ongoing process… I left with the tools, knowledge and hope to implement into my life that would, over time, give me the relief I sought after.  Eighteen months later, I can say that most of the bitterness is gone and though I still experience grief once in a while, the shackles of unforgiveness no longer ensnare me.

Guy C.- Colorado

“I am excited, thankful, so grateful. I didn’t even know I was so wounded–but I see how it colored my ‘view’ of the world. Already I have noticed a different view of myself. I see God’s restoration and healing. I see that I have been healed of a very deep crime.”

Anonymous, Colorado

What a fantastic resource!

Who wants to be put down, pushed around, even persecuted? Who wants to be at the bottom of the heap socially or economically? Yet, at one time or another, we all find ourselves—forced against our will—playing the role of underdog. It isn’t fair! Our heart and mind demand justice. The universe itself demands it. Why doesn’t God step in and do something? We discover counter-intuitive yet proven answers along the Forgiving Path. The Path offers real, tangible, substantive steps toward fairness and forgiveness. Who knew? Highly recommended. I so enjoyed going through all the steps today.  

David Sanford, Portland