Kyrana - , reviewed on 12/29/2012 + 18 more book reviews

Unshackled & Free: True Stories of Forgiveness is a collection of testimonies complied by CJ & Shelley Hitz. Grouped into three sections - "Forgiving Others," "Asking God's Forgiveness" and "Forgiving Yourself," the reader follows a path to personal freedom through the experiences of others. This is not a self-help book outlining steps or offering a corrective sermon but rather a shared experience from those who have gone before us. As the reader hears from various people - a professor, a stay-at-home mom and a former addict/criminal among others - the stories draw you into the real-life experiences of people learning to overcome adversity and harm.

There are no simple formulas or pat answers here, just real people at various stages in their lives that have and are learning to forgive others. Like the psalmist, David, they have dared to acknowledge their pain, pass through a dark and scary path and reach a place where they can once again praise God and walk among others in community. Their stories will touch your heart with their familiarity, awaken your sense compassion with their candid narrations and bring hope to the wounded areas of your life.

Whether you are struggling with hurts from your past or looking for encouragement in your own journey, I highly recommend this thought-provoking collection.

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