Thoughts on The Shack

So I read another book that seems to polarize people.

I am not going to say whether I liked it or not. I am just going to share with you some absolutely jaw dropping segments that really hit home for me. Side note, I thinks it's hilarious and ironic that some people love it and some people hate it, because the book talks a lot about how people's version of good and bad are completely subjective.

The first I want to share is about forgiveness.

“Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person's throat......Forgiveness does not create a relationship. Unless people speak the truth about what they have done and change their mind and behavior, a relationship of trust is not possible. When you forgive someone you certainly release them from judgment, but without true change, no real relationship can be established.........Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive. But should they finally confess and repent, you will discover a miracle in your own heart that allows you to reach out and begin to build between you a bridge of reconciliation.........Forgiveness does not excuse anything.........You may have to declare your forgiveness a hundred times the first day and the second day, but the third day will be less and each day after, until one day you will realize that you have forgiven completely. And then one day you will pray for his wholeness......” 
― W. Paul Young, The Shack

The next is about fear, a subject of which I have done my homework.

“So, why do I have so much fear in my life?"

"Because you don't believe. You don't know that we love you. The person who lives by his fears will not find freedom in my love. I am not talking about rational fears regarding legitimate dangers, but imagined fears, and especially the projection of those into the future. To the degree that those fears have a place in your life, you neither believe that I am good not know deep in your heart that I love you. You sing about it, you talk about it, but you don't know it.” 
― W. Paul Young, The Shack

This one I found particularly brilliant, is about a spirit of service.

“Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to hold power over another is to chose to limit to onself - to serve. Humans often do this - in touching the infirm and sick, in serving the ones whos minds have left to wander, in relation to the poor, in loving the very old and the very young, or even in caring for the others who has assumed a position of power over them.” 
― W. Paul Young, The Shack

I think whether you liked it, or didn't, these things are something to think about as we live our lives. The forgiving piece is hard for me to this day. Of course the fear is too, and fundamentally the truth there is lack of trust in the love and faithfulness of our God. And being a servant to each other instead of trying to vie for power is foreign in this current world, but I think it would solve a ton of problems both broad and narrow. Feel free to chime in and let me know what you thought about the book, these things I thought were important, and/or what struck you!