What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Forgive...When You Don't Feel Like It by June Hunt (17-Apr-2015) Paperback
When someone hurts us, our natural response is to strike back. Rather than let go, we cling to our rocks of resentment, our boulders of bitterness. The result? We struggle under the weight of unforgiveness. Though we know God has called us to forgive others, we find ourselves Biblical counselor June Hunt has been there herself, enabling her to speak from experience as she offers biblical help and hope with heartfelt compassion. If you've been pinned down under a landslide of pain, here's how to find true freedom through forgiveness.
Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
93 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
June Hunt
316 books44 followersJUNE HUNT is founder of Hope for the Heart, a worldwide biblical counseling ministry, and hosts the award-winning radio program by the same name. Her numerous books include Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes, Healing the Hurting Heart, Bonding with Your Teen through Boundaries, and Hope for Your Heart.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 2, 2017
Wow, I have read a lot of books on forgiveness and related, and this one is probably one of the best. Such practical advice.
Oddly enough, I did NOT like the first chapter... it felt a little too "kitchy" to me... It seemed too much of the Bible-thumping, hands-waving-in-the-air, save-me-Jesus style that I find so fake and showy, but....
Fortunately, for whatever reason, I actually started the book part way through as I was perusing it to decide whether or not I should get it. What I read in the middle kept me going so that I read from the middle till the end, then went back and read the beginning. If I had read the beginning first, I would have put the book down and never looked at it again.
I am SO glad I started from the middle, because what she has in there, are nuggets of pure gold. We are going to do this book as a family read, because what she has in here is social skills par excellence... How to survive in an unfair world.
I have to say, whether one believes that Jesus was the Son of God or not, having read the New Testament several times, I do find Jesus' prescription and recommendations for a livable and productive society, to be the most brilliant ever conceived. There is a reason why Christianity has so withstood the test of time, and has been accepted by so many people from every conceivable walk of life and nationality. It is pure genius based on infallible principles... humility/mercy/love. The weakest of qualities turn out to be the most powerful.
Oddly enough, I did NOT like the first chapter... it felt a little too "kitchy" to me... It seemed too much of the Bible-thumping, hands-waving-in-the-air, save-me-Jesus style that I find so fake and showy, but....
Fortunately, for whatever reason, I actually started the book part way through as I was perusing it to decide whether or not I should get it. What I read in the middle kept me going so that I read from the middle till the end, then went back and read the beginning. If I had read the beginning first, I would have put the book down and never looked at it again.
I am SO glad I started from the middle, because what she has in there, are nuggets of pure gold. We are going to do this book as a family read, because what she has in here is social skills par excellence... How to survive in an unfair world.
I have to say, whether one believes that Jesus was the Son of God or not, having read the New Testament several times, I do find Jesus' prescription and recommendations for a livable and productive society, to be the most brilliant ever conceived. There is a reason why Christianity has so withstood the test of time, and has been accepted by so many people from every conceivable walk of life and nationality. It is pure genius based on infallible principles... humility/mercy/love. The weakest of qualities turn out to be the most powerful.
April 30, 2024
This is a book you have to humble youself to admit that you need! But I'll take a bite out of my pride and admit that yes, in going through some tough life transitions I did find that forgiveness was an issue I needed to face if I wanted to find success in my future. This is a great book because it's practical, not preachy. June Hunt realizes the reality of the pain that people cause one another and addresses it frankly and honestly. She don't just recite scripture and tell you to do what's right - she actually gives you a road map to describe what forgiveness is and isn't so you can understand what it REALLY means to forgive. I think this is a book that all of us need because frankly, it's an unavoidable and recurring issue in life. This one is definitely one for the bedside table!
April 12, 2021
Great book to give you perspective if you struggle with forgiveness. My struggles seem so petty by comparasin to the people the author referenced. And she gives great actionable things to do to help the reader move toward forgiveness. All wrapped up in a mental picture of the weightiness of unforgiveness. Would recommend for anyone feeling weighted down by unforgiveness.
October 31, 2016
I enjoyed reading the book. It was insightful and thought provoking.
Although I understood why different stones and minerals were used to illustrate certain points, at times I felt it was distracting and at times I felt bogged down with all the info about them. Overall, A good read with helpful advice.
Although I understood why different stones and minerals were used to illustrate certain points, at times I felt it was distracting and at times I felt bogged down with all the info about them. Overall, A good read with helpful advice.
November 14, 2018
How to Forgive..When You Don't Feel Like It
This book actually tells you what to do in order to heal including what Forgiveness means including many different stories about people who Didn't understand what Forgiveness actually means. Forgiveness is actually turning the problem over to GOD which takes the pain, the rocks which we carry around which burdens us, weighing us down so we end up just carry a load which gets heavier. June beautifully explains this in simple and clear language many different things that we can do in order to heal so we can FREE ourselves instead of reliving "past hurts" because we don't know how to "let go of the pain" because we weren't taught what Forgiveness really means and that requires us to the necessary work which is explained in the book with many different stories about people who were deeply wounded because everyone born will be hurt and this book can show you "how to forgive as well as protecting yourself from people who are sick including evil people. I wish I found this book years old and your Never too old to heal or forgive. I encourage everyone to read this book and to share it with people because I felt great comfort reading it and the exercises that she recommends doing are easy to do and necessary in order to heal and to move forward.
This information should be taught in school as early as kindergarten because it will protect and empower people because it's easy to Avoid doing something if you Don't Know where to start.
June's compassion, empathy as she gently explains to each person the reasons about WHY Forgiveness is important she has arranged the book where the reader reads painful stories then she explains concepts then more stories including how Forgiving actually freed many people who were determined to NOT Forgive and how they transformed their lives when they did the work.
She also mentions and discusses the importance of unhealthy thinking including abuse and how we ALL have the power to heal any hurt or wound by turning it over to GOD.
This book actually tells you what to do in order to heal including what Forgiveness means including many different stories about people who Didn't understand what Forgiveness actually means. Forgiveness is actually turning the problem over to GOD which takes the pain, the rocks which we carry around which burdens us, weighing us down so we end up just carry a load which gets heavier. June beautifully explains this in simple and clear language many different things that we can do in order to heal so we can FREE ourselves instead of reliving "past hurts" because we don't know how to "let go of the pain" because we weren't taught what Forgiveness really means and that requires us to the necessary work which is explained in the book with many different stories about people who were deeply wounded because everyone born will be hurt and this book can show you "how to forgive as well as protecting yourself from people who are sick including evil people. I wish I found this book years old and your Never too old to heal or forgive. I encourage everyone to read this book and to share it with people because I felt great comfort reading it and the exercises that she recommends doing are easy to do and necessary in order to heal and to move forward.
This information should be taught in school as early as kindergarten because it will protect and empower people because it's easy to Avoid doing something if you Don't Know where to start.
June's compassion, empathy as she gently explains to each person the reasons about WHY Forgiveness is important she has arranged the book where the reader reads painful stories then she explains concepts then more stories including how Forgiving actually freed many people who were determined to NOT Forgive and how they transformed their lives when they did the work.
She also mentions and discusses the importance of unhealthy thinking including abuse and how we ALL have the power to heal any hurt or wound by turning it over to GOD.
March 3, 2025
This book is an easy read cover to cover on forgiveness. What I got out of this book was much more than I would have intended when I started it. As I was reading it there were areas in my life that I had grudges that I was not completely aware of. It was not necessarily a hurt for someone or something but also a self-realization on unforgiveness within me.
Along with it being an easy read overall it is a great reference book for specific areas that someone may be needing on forgiveness. The appendix of this book was a must read along with the book context itself.
The book provides tactical steps and ways to allow forgiveness from different hurts. It brings each aspect back to God and the need for Him for complete healing. It references and pulls stories on forgiveness from the Bible. There are also stories in the chapters made it more personal for the readers.
Honestly whether you are struggling with forgiveness or not I would suggest this book. It is an excellent resource for anyone who has been hurt or wounded. Whether you think you have any open wounds or unforgiveness you should read this book.
Along with it being an easy read overall it is a great reference book for specific areas that someone may be needing on forgiveness. The appendix of this book was a must read along with the book context itself.
The book provides tactical steps and ways to allow forgiveness from different hurts. It brings each aspect back to God and the need for Him for complete healing. It references and pulls stories on forgiveness from the Bible. There are also stories in the chapters made it more personal for the readers.
Honestly whether you are struggling with forgiveness or not I would suggest this book. It is an excellent resource for anyone who has been hurt or wounded. Whether you think you have any open wounds or unforgiveness you should read this book.
February 21, 2019
A VERY challenging read - not because of the level of intellect required, but the emotional/spiritual reflection it causes. If you’ve ever been really hurt by someone, this book is a good way to start the wheels turning for your work toward forgiveness. Like some other readers I was a bit turned-off by the dismissive “churchy” approach that it starts out with. Examples seemed too easy - person passed away, no longer in life, etc. As I continued reading, though, the author went on to provide a wider variety of experiences (of her own and others) and I found myself being drawn in by their more realistic/believable circumstances. In the end I came to enjoy the scripture references and Christ-focused “take” on forgiveness. I may not be ready yet, but this definitely gave me some food for thought for this journey toward hanging up that bag of boulders.
February 3, 2025
Reading this book gave me such helpful visuals on what forgiveness looks like. June Hunt addresses many of the obstacles for people in forgiving their offenders and also misconceptions about what forgiveness is. Forgiveness is not just letting your offender off "the hook". Forgiveness is letting your offender off your hook and putting them onto God's hook. I found this book to be very helpful. There were a few statements made that I didn't agree with or seem a little off, otherwise I would have given this book 5 stars. With stories throughout, this book will help you learn how to forgive your offender and what forgiveness looks like biblically. As believers, we have been forgiven much and are commanded to forgive our debtors. This book is both helpful and convicting and I found the visuals and stories so helpful!
March 14, 2019
I thought this was very well written. I like the way the burlap bag full of rocks, stones & boulders was used as a link to harboured unforgiveness. In the end forgiveness is a gift for the one who forgives.
The book was full of real life, hard core examples of life & the application of forgiveness. The author speaks with authority based on her own deep experience with the topic on which she writes.
Forgiveness is a God thing. This book is the perfect tool to have in your kit to work toward & to achieve full redeeming forgiveness. It is not an easy pathway to tread but so important & worth doing.
The book was full of real life, hard core examples of life & the application of forgiveness. The author speaks with authority based on her own deep experience with the topic on which she writes.
Forgiveness is a God thing. This book is the perfect tool to have in your kit to work toward & to achieve full redeeming forgiveness. It is not an easy pathway to tread but so important & worth doing.
January 13, 2018
A simple, straightforward guide to addressing a very difficult concept.
December 6, 2018
What a beautiful book.
If you have been struggling with forgiveness, get this book. It will change your heart, which will change your life!
If you have been struggling with forgiveness, get this book. It will change your heart, which will change your life!
March 4, 2021
Such an amazing book and easy read. This is one of those books that you can read 10 times and still get more out of it.
June 27, 2022
Can anyone help me where would I get to read the entire book please?
February 12, 2024
This book helps Christians work through forgiveness in a Biblical way. If you’ve ever been through anything difficult, this will be a blessing to you.
December 14, 2017
This book is VERY practical and inspirational so I did not read this book and simply re-shelve it. If you have experienced true, deep pain of any kind this book can be your literal companion to help you walk through the process of obtaining the strength and desire to forgive. It will also help you KEEP YOUR FREEDOM. Hunt gives step-by-step instructions on the HOW to... and uses engaging narratives that encourage your heart. The back of the book outlines all of the scriptures she refers to throughout and there are very powerful prayers that have helped rescue and keep my heart from the darkness that stems from bitterness.
March 4, 2023
Hermoso libro que nos lleva desde una experiencia propia a ver la necesidad del perdon , argumentando con bases biblicas
September 25, 2010
I've never really thought much about the anatomy of forgiveness. How to Forgive When You Don't Feel Like It by June Hunt prompted me to think for the first time about questions like:
"Am I supposed to forgive when my offender is unwilling to admit they've hurt me?"
"What's the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation?"
"Is it okay to forgive from the mind, even if I don't feel it?"
"Are there behavioral steps that would be helpful to take if I don't want to forgive someone?"
Hunt's book is immensely practical, full of enough real-life anecdotes to make it "fun," but also full of enough rock-solid principles that it is now my "go-to" quick resource on the topic of forgiveness.
Mike and I received this book from an acquaintance who knows that Mike is working as a Christian counselor. She thought it might be a good read for his professional library. Little did she know that Mr. Counselor's wife was in the midst of an inner struggle to forgive. Like a timely letter turning up in the mailbox, Hunt's book was the perfect gift for my heart this past week.
Early on in the book, Hunt provides a great visual picture for forgiveness. She describes a bag of rocks hanging around your neck. Each rock is an unforgiven offense. Hunt prompts her readers to pass each of their rocks on to God. I'm a big fan of word pictures for understanding our relationship with God, so I'll be thinking about this one for awhile.
As thoroughly helpful as it is, Hunt's rock theme gets a little corny at times. For example, I found myself routinely skipping the little sidebars in each chapter which compared 14 common minerals to various facets of unforgiveness (i.e. Like malachite, which is prone to shatter under pressure, the pressure of painful offenses can make you feel emotionally fragile, etc, etc.)
And how is Mr. Counselor's wife doing now? Considerably less confused about my inner turmoil. Applying some behavioral changes that are keeping my heart from becoming bitter. And actually wanting to forgive.
--Jen
"Am I supposed to forgive when my offender is unwilling to admit they've hurt me?"
"What's the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation?"
"Is it okay to forgive from the mind, even if I don't feel it?"
"Are there behavioral steps that would be helpful to take if I don't want to forgive someone?"
Hunt's book is immensely practical, full of enough real-life anecdotes to make it "fun," but also full of enough rock-solid principles that it is now my "go-to" quick resource on the topic of forgiveness.
Mike and I received this book from an acquaintance who knows that Mike is working as a Christian counselor. She thought it might be a good read for his professional library. Little did she know that Mr. Counselor's wife was in the midst of an inner struggle to forgive. Like a timely letter turning up in the mailbox, Hunt's book was the perfect gift for my heart this past week.
Early on in the book, Hunt provides a great visual picture for forgiveness. She describes a bag of rocks hanging around your neck. Each rock is an unforgiven offense. Hunt prompts her readers to pass each of their rocks on to God. I'm a big fan of word pictures for understanding our relationship with God, so I'll be thinking about this one for awhile.
As thoroughly helpful as it is, Hunt's rock theme gets a little corny at times. For example, I found myself routinely skipping the little sidebars in each chapter which compared 14 common minerals to various facets of unforgiveness (i.e. Like malachite, which is prone to shatter under pressure, the pressure of painful offenses can make you feel emotionally fragile, etc, etc.)
And how is Mr. Counselor's wife doing now? Considerably less confused about my inner turmoil. Applying some behavioral changes that are keeping my heart from becoming bitter. And actually wanting to forgive.
--Jen
June 25, 2015
Loved It!
This book is a pure gem that will benefit every soul who reads it!
There is no one who hasn't been affected by others in a negative way at some point in there life. Large or small in scale the offense, this book will help bring you to forgiveness.
I've only thought about those offenses and the people I need to forgive while I read this book. I haven't actually done the work of forgiving as I've just finished the book moments ago, yet my spirit feels lighter. I'm looking forward to forgiving. How weird does that sound in today's revenge filled world? LOL
Others have mentioned the rock analogies were overdone and I can agree somewhat. The main theme is rocks in your bag/life. I found after awhile though the analogies to be forming in my mind a better mental picture of the damage this bag of boulders was doing to me. I would tell the author to not change a word and I'd offer to the reader they embrace the theme as they read the book. I can see how an annoyance could develop which would cloud the absorption of the message. I'd hate for that to be you, future reader!
One final note, this book isn't only about forgiving others for their sin but also about being the one who needs forgiveness for our own sin. Keep that in mind as you enjoy the journey that is this book.
This book is a pure gem that will benefit every soul who reads it!
There is no one who hasn't been affected by others in a negative way at some point in there life. Large or small in scale the offense, this book will help bring you to forgiveness.
I've only thought about those offenses and the people I need to forgive while I read this book. I haven't actually done the work of forgiving as I've just finished the book moments ago, yet my spirit feels lighter. I'm looking forward to forgiving. How weird does that sound in today's revenge filled world? LOL
Others have mentioned the rock analogies were overdone and I can agree somewhat. The main theme is rocks in your bag/life. I found after awhile though the analogies to be forming in my mind a better mental picture of the damage this bag of boulders was doing to me. I would tell the author to not change a word and I'd offer to the reader they embrace the theme as they read the book. I can see how an annoyance could develop which would cloud the absorption of the message. I'd hate for that to be you, future reader!
One final note, this book isn't only about forgiving others for their sin but also about being the one who needs forgiveness for our own sin. Keep that in mind as you enjoy the journey that is this book.
March 23, 2013
This book gave me much to think about as I struggle to forgive others. I appreciated the statement from pg. 129 that reads, "Forgiveness is not enablement. Those two powerful issues need not become intertwined. You can extend grace while being completely truthful with yourself and your offender."
December 2, 2015
Moving
I didn't think I could ever forgive my husband for telling me he wasn't happy and to leave. I am a lot closer after reading this book and hearing the truth about the positive outcomes forgiveness brings. perhaps soon I will be ready to set myself free of the weight I carry.
I didn't think I could ever forgive my husband for telling me he wasn't happy and to leave. I am a lot closer after reading this book and hearing the truth about the positive outcomes forgiveness brings. perhaps soon I will be ready to set myself free of the weight I carry.
April 6, 2019
Excellent
This is a book that thoroughly explains the benefits of forgiveness ,giving many examples of how it affects all concerned and others around them. The greatest benefit is to the person who decides to forgive no matter what.
This is a book that thoroughly explains the benefits of forgiveness ,giving many examples of how it affects all concerned and others around them. The greatest benefit is to the person who decides to forgive no matter what.
February 25, 2012
I enjoyed the book more at the beginning than at the end. I enjoyed how she gave examples from her life or those who called in to her radio talk show, they helped make things concrete.
February 22, 2020
Scripturally based guide to forgiveness
I was looking for a book on forgiveness that my book club could study, and I think I've found it! Excellent guide on forgiveness.
I was looking for a book on forgiveness that my book club could study, and I think I've found it! Excellent guide on forgiveness.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews