"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32
In a broken world with fallen people, we have all experienced the pain of offense. Though we have been forgiven through Christ, extending that same mercy to those who have wronged us can still feel difficult. How do we move through the pains of abandonment, betrayal, and abuse to obey Jesus' command to forgive?
Living Beyond Offense explores Jesus' teachings about forgiveness-what it is, how to do it, and what you gain when you put it into practice. Bringing together theology, Scripture, and pieces of her own life story, Yana Conner helps you
• honestly acknowledge and grieve the pain and loss that often comes with offense
• replace faulty cultural ideas about forgiveness with a biblical perspective centered on Jesus' teachings
• resolve conflicts by applying best practices for communicating your hurt to others
• thoughtfully engage in the work of forgiveness and, when possible, pursue reconciliation
Forgiveness is hard work, but with God's help, it's possible and worth it. Despite the pain you have experienced, you can live beyond offense and learn to trust again.
Living Beyond Offense explores Jesus' teachings about forgiveness-what it is, how to do it, and what you gain when you put it into practice.
"This book holds ancient truths for our current times and beyond that need our attention. Truths about forgiveness, mercy, healing, and love that are at the center of the gospel message many of us have forgotten. This book is for anyone who has been harmed-which is all of us-and who wants to live in a more Christlike way despite his or her wounds. It's for the person who wants to really be free and is bold enough to acknowledge freedom can't exist without forgiveness."
-Pricelis Dominguez, author of Being a Sanctuary, pastor, and founder of Full Collective
"If you're looking for clarity on forgiveness, including its scope and the distinctions between sinful offenses and personal preferences while learning to navigate relationship challenges with love and resilience, then Living Beyond Offense is the perfect resource for you. Yana engages her audience with wisdom, grace, competence, and compassion. Living Beyond Offense is ideal for anyone struggling with forgiveness while striving to obey God's command to love Him and others as oneself."
-Leonard Omar King, MDiv, EdD candidate, Bridgehaven Counseling Associates, staff counselor
"Unforgiveness is a silent and deadly cancer lurking in the hearts of many people both inside and outside the church. In this practical and theologically rich work, Yana Conner shows us how to pull bitterness up by its roots. Forgiveness is at the very center of Christianity. But, ironically, very few of us can articulate what it is-or how to actually forgive. This book grounds our forgiveness in the grace of Jesus and gives an incredibly practical roadmap for this difficult but life-giving journey."
-J.D. Greear, pastor, the Summit Church; author, Gospel: Recovering the Power That Made Christianity Revolutionary
"Yana Conner has blessed us with so much more than familiar language on forgiveness. Instead, she's given us a roadmap, a travel companion in herself, and sweet hope wrapped in the light of the gospel to help us see a beautiful life beyond offense. If you've tried to forgive but still feel stuck by offense, I implore you to read Living Beyond Offense. Yana's writing is approachable, empathic, and laced with what we need most-the words of Scripture to reorient us to Jesus's kingdom culture and the way of shalom."
-Dr. Sarita T. Lyons, preacher, Bible teacher, church leader, psychotherapist, and author of Church Girl: A Gospel Vision to Encourage and Challenge Black Christian Women.
"Living Beyond Offense is a theologically rich and compassionate call to the costly, fr
