How Can I Forgive My Parents for Childhood Abuse? // Ask Pastor John

How can we forgive others who have hurt us deeply? Pastor John gives three practical suggestions for pursuing forgiveness.

Recently a really painful email arrived from a man in England. Here it is. “Pastor John, how can I forgive my parents? I’ve been a Christian for seventeen years but struggle with forgiveness of my parents for my abusive childhood. I know that the Lord teaches forgiveness, as does the Bible in many passages. I’m able to forgive others injustices and wrongs, but I really struggle with memories of my childhood. It brings resentment to mind.

“Not only is forgiveness taught in the Bible, but it also says I should honor my parents. I feel like a failure as a Christian. I’m 47 years old with a family of my own, and I feel such resentment, even hate and rage, sometimes at my parents for the physical and mental abuse I suffered at their hands. Please help me to understand how I can get peace over this matter and try to forgive them, a forgiveness that lasts for all time, not just until another memory surfaces.”

Episode 1367: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-can-i-forgive-my-parents-for-childhood-abuse

Related Resources:

“He Killed His Wife and Children — Can He Really Be Forgiven?” https://youtu.be/6GgPCvKcCpY

“How Do I Show Kindness to My Children and Expect Them to Obey?” https://youtu.be/BjI9sNy2Lf0

“Have I Really Forgiven Someone If I Keep Remembering Their Wrong?” https://youtu.be/T_8PjAiukH4

“If I Fail to Forgive Others, Will God Not Forgive Me?” https://youtu.be/etAhaFcoB2U

Ask Pastor John Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFF7F6AE365DA3564

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