Forgiveness: Overcoming the Impossible

by Matthew West

Whether giving or receiving, forgiveness is the key toward true healing and blessing. 

God says there are no limits to forgiveness toward others or ourselves. And when Matthew West set out on a journey asking people to share their true life stories, Renée shared about how she chose to forgive the drunk driver who hit and killed her daughter. 

This remarkable story and others like it bring peace and healing to the one needing and the ones giving forgiveness. Fifty powerful stories share forgiveness through divorce, betrayal, addiction, abandonment, death, and more. Each story ties into the promises of God’s faithfulness and healing, and ends with the story of God’s ultimate forgiveness through the message of salvation.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Christian Living

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Matthew West is a multiple-ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner, a four-time GRAMMY nominee, and was awarded his first American Music Award (2013) and a Billboard Music Award (2014). Matthew West's discography includes acclaimed releases: Happy (2003), History (2005), Something to Say (2008), The Story of Your Life (2010) and GRAMMY-nominated Into the Light (2012). West was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Original Music & Lyrics for The Heart of Christmas from the film of the same name. His songwriting credits include cuts by Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio, and more. He spent much of late 2012 and early 2013 on a pre-headlining stint on WinterJam Tour Spectacular, the number one tour in the world. He wrapped up 2013 with his own headlining tour in the fall of 2013 and The Story Tour in December. During 2014, West toured with the Hits Deep Tour as well as his sell-out Hello My Name Is. . . acoustic tour.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I love the song that inspired it. It presents different testimonies of forgiveness extended and accepted. The first one is extremely powerful! I think the following quote by C.S. Lewis sums up what this book is trying to convey. West provides it towards the end. "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you".

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The prisoner that you really free is you.” Based off of the Matthew West song of the same name, Forgiveness looks at the different ways and reasons we need to forgive: Forgiving Others, Asking For Forgiveness, Forgiving Yourself, and finally, Embracing God’s Forgiveness. It is a beautiful book filled with true stories that people have sent to Matthew, including the story that inspired his song, “Forgiveness.” If you aren’t familiar with his music, almost all of it is inspired by letters and stories he has received or been told by fans who have endured some personal challenge and found their saving grace through Christ. This book is very touching and emotional. You see all sides of life’s challenges that people have faced and have come through the other side and have received forgiveness in one form or in many, from addiction to theft to a drunk driver who killed two young girls. It is very moving. It teaches that we all need forgiveness for things that we have done, and therefore we must also learn to forgive, and that forgiveness does not mean excusing the other person’s actions, but setting yourself free from the chains of their actions. It is a tender, honest book.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just finished reading this book and loved it. The author is straight up honest and pulls no punches. I normally don't read books on Forgiveness because most authors aren't being honest and condescending to the reader. This one is different because it has the stories of people who are coping with dealing with the forgiveness of others and themselves.
Reading this book has helped me to realize that I need to forgive those who have hurt me in the past and present including the future. Forgiveness doesn't mean you are letting those who have offended you off the hook, it means that you are doing it for yourself.
I don't know much about Mr. West, he has written a fantastic book and should do a followup. For those who are struggling with forgiveness, this is a book for you.

[Alyssa Dahlberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beautiful part of this book was the storytelling and testimonies that communicated the impact of forgiveness in the lives of so many people. Stories are powerful and leave a relatable component to what is written which can leave a positive impact on the reader. Beyond the stories, the book was simplistic to read and paced well. I did not rate this book higher because I personally wanted a little more of the practical incorporated into the stories. It’s great to hear testimonies of forgiveness, but it would be helpful to read more about the process these individuals walked through between offense and forgiveness. Overall, this was a great book and an enjoyable read.

[Angela Wimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful stories of forgiveness

I've been reading books about forgiveness to go through with my book club. This is not a book that explains the "mechanics" of forgiveness. But it is full of wonderful stories of forgiveness from all directions. I was truly inspired by the wonderful power of God to bring forgiveness to the lives of those who give Him permission.

[Chesleigh Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is a liberating book. Each story of forgiveness from the perspective of the forgiven or the one in need of forgiveness was moving. Their stories reminded me to live out forgiveness every day because Jesus forgave me first. Forgiveness is freeing. It is time for each of us to forgive ourselves as well. Highly recommend this book.

[Julie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short book, but packed full of touching stories and wisdom. I knew Matthew West could sing, but boy, he can write!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an inspiring book filled with gold nuggets of wisdom and Scripture! I enjoyed the stories and how Matthew West was inspired by them to write many of his songs! A must read!

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed all of the peoples stories of forgiveness in this book. Somewhat eye-opening. I think Matthew West would make a great pastor.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book. Inspiring stories and great Biblical thoughts.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you listen to any Christian music station, you are likely to have heard Matthew West's music. He's an artist who weaves God's Truth into memorable lyrics, and I figured his actual writing would be one in the same...and I was right. The song Forgiveness - and ultimately the title and subject of this book - is about a family forgiving the drunk driver who killed their daughter and helping him gain his freedom after being imprisoned for his crime.

"when the pain they caused is just too real..."

Ultimately, this is a book about God's love and the love we are called to share amongst one another (John 13:34). Slowly, slowly, West shows us how we are able to reach forgiving others and where it comes from. He wraps Scripture and present day stories together and each chapter is capable of causing chills.

"show me how to love the unlovable show me how to reach the unreachable..."

Forgiveness isn't easy. That's a given - but West opens our eyes to numerous examples of others doing just so. Just as God forgave us, we are able to forgive others.

"the prisoner that it really frees is you..."

I know firsthand just how life-giving forgiveness can be, and this book [and the song] are just concrete examples of just how freeing forgiving one another can be.
Forgiveness doesn't mean you approve of what the other party have done, or that they are welcome to repeat history. It simply means that you can let go of the anger, the fear and the hurt. We are called to forgive as God has forgiven us. You may not be at that point yet, but read the book. It'll light the path.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgiveness
By: Matthew West

Do you need to forgive someone or need to ask for forgiveness? Being angry at someone fills you with bitterness; it can also cause side effects. The Bible even warns us of what those could be: disorder, more unforgiveness, lies, and blindness. You can’t just feel forgiveness. You have to speak it.

Do you know who the hardest person is to forgive? Yourself. That person that looks at you every morning in the mirror. But God says, “’There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:1 NIV). No matter how unlovable you feel, you are loved.” Once you realize this, you can reach all the others in the world who think they are unlovable too.

You can’t earn forgiveness. All you have to do is accept that Jesus’ death on the cross covered all your sins. No sin is too big or too small. Jesus died for all.

Forgiveness fills your life, your heart, your soul with peace. This book is based off of Matthew West’s song Forgiveness. The meaning is epitomized in, “The prisoner that you really free is you.” You may not realize it, but withholding forgiveness keeps you from fully realizing God’s love, joy, peace, and grace.

This book is filled with stories from people who needed to give forgiveness or ask for forgiveness from others. Read their stories, see their burdens of guilt and anger released, and realize you can be free from feelings of resentment and self-righteousness.

I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for a review.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Matthew West’s music so I was excited to read the book. This book is divided into 4 sections: Forgiving Others, Asking for Forgiveness, Forgiving Yourself, and Embracing God’s Forgiveness. Each section includes real life stories pertaining to the section. Matthew includes his thoughts after each story and sometimes a story of his own. The things the people went through in these stories I could not imagine going through. Forgiveness can be hard to give and ask for but these people did. Forgiveness is something we all need to give and ask for at times. If you are struggling with forgiveness then I suggest you read this book, the stories are so powerful.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a giveaway from the publisher. This in no way affected my review of the book

This is a great book that includes testimony from several people who wrote to Matthew West about how forgiveness affected their lives. It also includes parts that are written by Matthew West, the famous Contemporary Christian artist. These parts include scripture and quotes from other people that help to back up the biblical teachings that West presents in this book. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people of all ages.

[Christina F · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. It is so inspirational how Matthew West collects stories from people from all backgrounds and writes songs about them. This book explains the stories behind many of his songs. These stories and songs help me to. I see things about myself I didn't realize before and understand much more about forgiveness. It took me a day to read, and I found myself hungry for more. Thank you Matthew West!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is one of the best I've read this year, and that's saying a great deal. It is full of practical ways to find the forgiveness for others that has been granted to us by a loving God.

Read full review here: http://booksnobbery.wordpress.com/201...

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I expected. I was thinking this book was going to have long, heartfelt stories and was disappointed in the brief, page and a half stories, followed by Michael West writing about what he got from the story and what we should take from it. I would have much preferred a detailed and long story, that I could analyze myself.

[Katherine Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgiveness by Matthew West was a great book because it shares the stories behind the lyrics to his songs. For such a small book there is so much packed in it. I liked how the stories are of real life events of hardships and despair and their journey to forgiveness and victory. Also how the stories are not humanly possible but how the are possible through God.

[Julianne2girls · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book on a variety of stories that show how people were able to forgive one another. This book comes along with his great song "Forgiveness" that was based on a story about a drunk driver, the victim's family and forgiveness

[Cheryl Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgive

I love Matthew West! I will definitely be reading this one again and again! This is a collection of stories that portray forgiveness! You can learn from some of them, even if you haven't gone through what they have gone through.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book about forgiveness - how to get it, why we need it.

[Alborden82gmail.com Borden · Rating 4 out of 5]

good stuff, gives you a lot to think about.

[Benjamin]

I loved this book. It was a very good reminder how powerful forgiveness is. The only way to experience full forgiveness is to ask Jesus for it.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone can relate to one of the true stories in this book, you probably are in one of these situations right now on forgiving someone .
My advise, forgive and lift the burden from your soul.

[Doris Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its. So. True. We. Must. Forgive. If. We. Do. Not. Forgive. Our. Father. In. Heaven. Will. Not. Forgive. Us. Can. I. Get. Amen.

[Jenn Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so very uplifting as it tells the stories of people who have regained their faith because of forgiveness; I especially enjoyed one of the stories, about a man who has finally given his heart to Jesus after the family of the girl he had killed via drunk driving forgave him. I recommend this book to those who want to have their spirits lifted.