When You've Been Wronged: Moving From Bitterness to Forgiveness

Imagine walking through a maximum security prison and seeing the cell keys hanging inside the cells. By choosing not to forgive, we voluntarily sentence ourselves to diminished, pain-filled lives. Why would anyone do such a thing? Because forgiveness seems an inappropriate response to offense. To experience a broken promise, betrayed confidence, personal rejection, false accusation, injury, or abuse, is to be wounded. Such wounds cry out for justice. 

But what if justice is not possible? Or if it doesn't undo the damage done? What then? In this concise, quickly-read volume, noted pastor and author Erwin Lutzer carefully illustrates how it is possible to right the wrongs of your life. Whether you've been wronged--or have wronged others--he makes it possible to experience the freedom of forgiveness, and the restoration of a clear conscience.

Conflict in relationships is inevitable, but healing and reconciliation

often is not. Time and again after we’ve tried every

option and failed, all we are left with is a load of guilt and pain.

Best-selling author Erwin Lutzer shows how the blessing the Lord

gives to those who suffer unjustly is worth the pain involved. He

also illustrates the need to leave our broken relationships in the

hands of God, and move forward in our lives toward freedom. It is

only through His healing power that we can overcome the bitterness

and resentment that has overtaken our world.

ERWIN W. LUTZER, is the senior pastor of Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, where he has

served since 1980, and is a sought-after speaker at leadership and church conferences. Among his

many popular books are How You Can be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity With God, One

Minute After You Die, Cries from the Cross, and Your Eternal Reward. He is heard on Moody

Church’s radio programs, “The Moody Church Hour” “Songs in the Night” and “Running to Win”.

He and his wife, Rebecca, have three adult daughters.