Overviewrn“Forgive him? You've got to be kidding!”rnrn“Not her! Never. She's got to realize what she did to me.”rnrnWhy is it that the closest people to us often cause the deepest, most wrenching pain?rnrnFamily can either provide restful refuge or prompt you to find it elsewhere. A quick channel-surf through daytime television illustrates that! From the petty irritation to the grievous wrong, forgiving is one of the hardest tasks families face.rnrnThe gospel calls us to love and forgive others. Ironically, the closer the people are, the harder it is to forgive them. After all, you count on these people to love and accept you — unconditionally. But family behavior is far from flawless: spouses quarrel, siblings pout, grandparents criticize, cousins judge.rnrnWhen the last nerve frays, look out: A house of love quickly turns into a house of pain.rnrn“Family experiences are a mixture of beauty and tragedy,” writes Fischer. “When we grasp this truth, we understand why forgiveness is such an essential part of family life and Jesus' message. The gospel reminds us that redemption happens right here in the give-and-take of ordinary family life.”rnrnEach chapter of Forgiving Your Family contains real-life stories, practical strategies, and encouragement to help you move toward forgiveness. Better communication (while critical) isn't enough, according to Fischer: Forgiveness takes faith and prayer.rnrnCombining psychological, practical, and theological insight, Fischer will lead you to discoverrnrn* the true meaning of forgiveness (rather than the myths)rn* why you need to forgivern* ways to deal with anger and avoid revengern* how to protect yourself while easing into forgivenessrn* the difference between forgiveness and reconciliationrn* how to let go of hurts and livernrnWhether you need to forgive someone in your family or you counsel families as a part of your work, Forgiving Your Family is an indispensable tool.