Start Forgiving Step Four

StartForgiving.com Step Four: Avoid Danger Jesus does want us to be generous in forgiving. That doesn’t mean, however, that he wants us to be a doormat or a punching bag. As Christians, we are called upon at times to carry a cross, to suffer, but we don’t have to suffer unnecessarily, as with domestic violence. Jesus himself did not suffer unnecessarily. On many occasions he avoided being hurt or abused. Jesus removed himself from dangerous situations many times.

1. What have been the consequences of being hurt? Write a letter to the person who has hurt you, listing clearly everything you can think of that you have lost as a result of what he or she has done. This is your Loss Letter, which you will use to complete Step Ten. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 2. As a result of what you suffered are you presently living in a relationship or situation that is dysfunctional or abusive? _____________________________________________________________ 3. Protect Yourself. What is one concrete step you can take to protect yourself?

How would you go about taking it? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ StartForgiving Process Step Four. Based on Forgiveness: A Catholic Approach Page 1 StartForgiving.com © Daughters of St. Paul. This can be copied freely. www.pauline.org