Living Beyond Offense - by Yana Jenay Conner (Paperback)

About the Book

Living Beyond Offense explores Jesus' teachings about forgiveness--what it is, how to do it, and what you gain when you put it into practice.

Book Synopsis

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32

In a broken world with fallen people, we have all experienced the pain of offense. Though we have been forgiven through Christ, extending that same mercy to those who have wronged us can still feel difficult. How do we move through the pains of abandonment, betrayal, and abuse to obey Jesus' command to forgive?

Living Beyond Offense explores Jesus' teachings about forgiveness--what it is, how to do it, and what you gain when you put it into practice. Bringing together theology, Scripture, and pieces of her own life story, Yana Conner helps you

• honestly acknowledge and grieve the pain and loss that often comes with offense
• replace faulty cultural ideas about forgiveness with a biblical perspective centered on Jesus' teachings
• resolve conflicts by applying best practices for communicating your hurt to others
• thoughtfully engage in the work of forgiveness and, when possible, pursue reconciliation

Forgiveness is hard work, but with God's help, it's possible and worth it. Despite the pain you have experienced, you can live beyond offense and learn to trust again.

Review Quotes

"Living Beyond Offense is a theologically rich and compassionate call to the costly, freeing path of forgiveness. Yana Jenay Conner speaks with clarity and courage into the real tensions of abuse, boundaries, and obedience. This book is a needed guide for anyone serious about following Jesus."
--Brenna Blain, contemporary theologian and bestselling author

"If you're looking for clarity on forgiveness, including its scope and the distinctions between sinful offenses and personal preferences while learning to navigate relationship challenges with love and resilience, then Living Beyond Offense is the perfect resource for you. Yana engages her audience with wisdom, grace, competence, and compassion. Living Beyond Offense is ideal for anyone struggling with forgiveness while striving to obey God's command to love Him and others as oneself."
--Leonard Omar King, MDiv, EdD candidate, Bridgehaven Counseling Associates, staff counselor

"This book holds ancient truths for our current times and beyond that need our attention. Truths about forgiveness, mercy, healing, and love that are at the center of the gospel message many of us have forgotten. This book is for anyone who has been harmed--which is all of us--and who wants to live in a more Christlike way despite his or her wounds. It's for the person who wants to really be free and is bold enough to acknowledge freedom can't exist without forgiveness."
--Pricelis Dominguez, author of Being a Sanctuary, pastor, and founder of Full Collective

"Unforgiveness is a silent and deadly cancer lurking in the hearts of many people both inside and outside the church. In this practical and theologically rich work, Yana Conner shows us how to pull bitterness up by its roots. Forgiveness is at the very center of Christianity. But, ironically, very few of us can articulate what it is--or how to actually forgive. This book grounds our forgiveness in the grace of Jesus and gives an incredibly practical roadmap for this difficult but life-giving journey."
--J.D. Greear, pastor, the Summit Church; author, Gospel: Recovering the Power That Made Christianity Revolutionary

"What Yana Conner has accomplished with her work in Living Beyond Offense is nothing short of brilliant, timely, and refreshing. Yana captures both the heart and the hope of biblical forgiveness. This book offers a comprehensive understanding of the truth of forgiveness while navigating the challenges we all have with forgiveness. While Yana's authentic transparency makes the book accessible, her biblical clarity makes the subject of forgiveness approachable. Healing, hope, and help are found in every chapter!"
--Ryan Brooks, lead pastor, Vertical Church; author of I Am Called: Answering the Call of God with a Life on Mission

"Yana goes straight to the heart of one of the core causes of ruptured relationships: offense. She approaches the topic with a rare blend of biblical depth, compassionate challenge, and tender kindness. She doesn't shy away from the truth or from the gentle care so many of us need as we navigate the painful realities of deep relationships. This book is an essential guide for anyone longing to build healthy relationships with others without sacrificing their own well-being. Yana asks and answers the questions we all wrestle with as we navigate hardship in relationships. Living Beyond Offense offers both wisdom and warmth to those committed to healing and cultivating meaningful connection within community. Many will be blessed by this powerful and timely work."
--Kobe Campbell, trauma therapist, author, and speaker

"Yana Conner has blessed us with so much more than familiar language on forgiveness. Instead, she's given us a roadmap, a travel companion in herself, and sweet hope wrapped in the light of the gospel to help us see a beautiful life beyond offense. If you've tried to forgive but still feel stuck by offense, I implore you to read Living Beyond Offense. Yana's writing is approachable, empathic, and laced with what we need most--the words of Scripture to reorient us to Jesus's kingdom culture and the way of shalom."
--Dr. Sarita T. Lyons, preacher, Bible teacher, church leader, psychotherapist, and author of Church Girl: A Gospel Vision to Encourage and Challenge Black Christian Women.

"Yana's words in Living Beyond Offense are timely and transformational. Not many books can bring me to tears, challenge and convict me, and leave me feeling hopeful all at the same time, but this book has done it. Her explanation of what it means to 'turn the other cheek' and how to forgive when you can't forget will sit with me for a long time. Living Beyond Offense is a masterful work that is theologically robust yet also practical. This book is one of the best teachings I have ever heard on forgiveness and is a must read."
--Lisa Fields, author of When Faith Disappoints and CEO and founder of the Jude 3 Project

About the Author

Yana Jenay Conner (MDiv, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is a writer and Bible teacher who seeks to help others think well about faith and culture. By God's grace, she has served in full-time ministry for 15 years and currently serves as the adult ministry director at Vertical Church in Hillsborough, North Carolina, where she creates disciple-making communities and develops leaders for transformative ministry.