This has become one of my favorite quotes.
We've all been hit by pieces of this world, and sometimes the blow is harder than others. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, the loss of a dream, or simply an unexpected change in our circumstances, we can be left with a wound that we can't even describe. This is the kind of wound that causes your soul to hurt on the inside with physical pain.
We call it grief.
So how does this book help?
Dr. Kellemen does not assume that a couple of scripture verses and a prayer will make everything all better. But he also doesn't leave you empty-handed.
God's Healing for Life's Losses leads us into healing by challenging a process most of us are familiar with.
Even if we have never studied the subject, most of us have heard of the five stages of grief. Whether we learned them in college or by watching our favorite TV show, the five stages of grief have almost become common knowledge: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
There is one problem - this process is simply a description; an observation of what typically happens to someone who is experiencing grief. There really is nothing intentional about it. If we just let life happen to us, this is typically how we will respond.
However, as Christians, we know we have a sovereign, loving God who doesn't want us to just let life happen to us. In the midst of our confusion, we can go to his Word and find the examples that he gave us on how to seek him for healing. We can be intentional about the process.
This book gives us the direction to start on that journey by outlining God's process for grief recovery: candor, complaint, cry, comfort, and growth. Don't worry; this is not a quick 5-step magical program. It is more like a road map to help you on your journey, even if you have to wander back a few times.
If you like to journal, you will love the questions that are asked throughout the book as prompts for you to journal your thoughts, feelings, and ultimately your journey to healing.
If you have a friend who experiencing grief or depression, this would be a great gift.
Would you like the chance to win a free copy? Leave a comment on this post. Twelve commenters will be selected from the blog tour reviews to receive a free copy from the author.
God’s Healing for Life’s Losses is the first book ever officially endorsed by GriefShare. Dr. Kellemen shares his connection with this organization:
Griefshare produces a small group video series used in thousands of churches across the world. It is a ministry of the larger group, Church Initiative, founded by Steve Grissom. Several years ago they updated their video series and asked me to participate. I connected with Steve and with their VP, Sam Hodges. When God’s Healing for Life’s Losses was in the first draft stage, Sam and Steve read it and got very excited. They both appreciated the combination of compassionate care that did not minimize the pain of suffering with the focus on Christ-centered, biblically-based hope. Sam graciously wrote a recommendation, Steve graciously penned an endorsement, and my publisher, BMH Books, and GriefShare agreed to have this book become the first book ever officially endorsed by GriefShare. It’s our joint prayer that the GriefShare video and God’s Healing for Life’s Losses could be used together to assist 1000s of churches and para-church groups as they minister to hurting people.
As part of the blog tour for the release of this book, a copy of this book was provided to me by Dr. Kellemen in exchange for my honest review.
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