Janie Grace Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I've had a lot of big realizations lately about how I'm still broken from childhood stuff I wish I was over... infidelity on both parents' parts, dad who left, mom who treated me as a peer and was emotionally absent in terms of supporting me, etc. I'm seeing ways I still unhealthily look for approval/affection/acceptance from others rather than being whole in Christ and able to really love others from a place of satisfaction in Him. I don't know if this is making sense, but I guess what I'm saying is that I'm seeing I am more "messed up" than I realized and I need help. In the past, I have dismissed all books that weren't by certain types of heavy-hitting authors (like Piper, Keller, Bridges, etc) as "fluff" or psycho-babble. But I think I need to broaden my mind in terms of what might help me work through stuff. I still want it to be biblically sound, but I'm not as suspicious of touchy-feely as I once was. I have a sense that I need to experience God's love in deep ways that I think I never have. So... if you have a painful past, and there's a book that helped you work through it (esp. a book that looks to Jesus/the Bible as the ultimate source of healing), I would love to know what it is! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniper Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Very psychology oriented, but this one is written by Christian psychologists and I found it pretty helpful. http://www.amazon.com/Changes-That-Heal-Henry-Cloud/dp/0310606314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341797332&sr=8-1&keywords=changes+that+heal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) :grouphug: I've been there...recently. If I may encourage you...you CAN find healing and you are looking in the right place or TO the right ONE should I say? :) Here are a few books which I found VERY helpful in my journey to healing. Lies We Believe by Dr. Chris Thurman (especially helpful to combat the LIES that have been planted in our head by the enemy through other people...even our parents) I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves by Sharon Jaynes (same sort of thing) Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend (or those of us who grew up w/out them, had parents who didn't have them, etc.) The Healing Path by Dr. Dan Allender (awesome!). Allender also wrote The Wounded Heart (hope for childhood victims of s*xual abuse which is another good one if you fall into that category (may of us do and don't realize it) The Confident Woman by Anabel Gillham (about knowing you are in Christ) Oh, and Changes That Heal also by Cloud and Townsend (very, very good book and very helpful) That should get you started! Hang in there...you are on a good path...hard...but good! Feel free to PM me if you need encouragement on your journey. :D Edited July 9, 2012 by Sue G in PA added something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Two suggestions. Redemption The next one is geared towards parents, but not really a parenting book perse. Building the Christian Family You Never Had :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMamaBird Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I did the Breaking Free Bible Study by Beth Moore and found it very helpful. If you don't want a full Bible Study she does have a stand alone book of the same name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 It's more of a memoir than a self-help book, but Mary DeMuth's Thin Places was good and talks a lot about healing from childhood trauma. (Same author as the Building the Christian Family... book linked to above.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. A Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge is very good. (I took some of it with a grain of salt, but on the whole there is a lot of truth to be found in it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acurtis75 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I recently had someone highly recommend Putting Your Past in it's Place by Steve Viars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heart'sjoy Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Lifetime Guarantee http://www.christianbook.com/lifetime-guarantee-bill-gillham/9781565070752/pd/7396 The reviews are especially helpful. This is a book I have scanned. A family member used this with similar hurts in key relationships that left them without a foundation for healthy relationships. The book gave them a foundation to build on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my2boysteacher Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I second the suggestion of Beth Moore. She had some trials in her life and rose above them. She is amazing. This one might be Helpful to you: http://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-That-Pit-Deliverance/dp/0785289739/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341799831&sr=1-5&keywords=beth+moore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Kay Arthur did one years ago called Lord Heal My Hurts that was really good. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 God is Close to the Brokenhearted is very helpful, also. I third Breaking Free and anything by New Life guys (Townsend, etc.). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in OH Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 The Search for Significance, Robert McGee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 This book has been helpful to me recently. It's an easy read, but still helpful. http://www.amazon.com/The-Wounded-Woman-Healing-Those/dp/1590525299/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1341801539&sr=8-2&keywords=the+wounded+woman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy in Australia Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Another vote for Beth Moore's Breaking Free here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marylou Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Choosing Forgiveness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I've had a lot of big realizations lately about how I'm still broken from childhood stuff I wish I was over... infidelity on both parents' parts, dad who left, mom who treated me as a peer and was emotionally absent in terms of supporting me, etc. I'm seeing ways I still unhealthily look for approval/affection/acceptance from others rather than being whole in Christ and able to really love others from a place of satisfaction in Him. I don't know if this is making sense, but I guess what I'm saying is that I'm seeing I am more "messed up" than I realized and I need help. In the past, I have dismissed all books that weren't by certain types of heavy-hitting authors (like Piper, Keller, Bridges, etc) as "fluff" or psycho-babble. But I think I need to broaden my mind in terms of what might help me work through stuff. I still want it to be biblically sound, but I'm not as suspicious of touchy-feely as I once was. I have a sense that I need to experience God's love in deep ways that I think I never have. So... if you have a painful past, and there's a book that helped you work through it (esp. a book that looks to Jesus/the Bible as the ultimate source of healing), I would love to know what it is! Thanks. Wounded Heart by Dan Allender. It's mostly about sexual abuse, but is applicable to all kinds of past hurts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babysparkler Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) Facing Codependence by Pia Mellody was a book that my (Christian) counselor recommended to me... not an outwardly Christian book, but one that definitely honors the role of the Lord in the healing process. It really changed my whole outlook and understanding of myself. I had a similar past as yours, from what it sounds. Feel free to PM me anytime. :grouphug: Edited July 9, 2012 by babysparkler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruby Rose Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Beauty for Ashes by Joyce Meyers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Thank you all so much. I am making a list of these and getting ready to order a couple to start with. So grateful for the input (and that many have walked similar roads ~ thanks for your encouragement, too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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