Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #115852 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From the Back Cover

About the Author

Customer Reviews

Balanced and Compassionate
The authors address issues which concern many Christians: Are my emotional problems (depression, anxiety, or moodiness) a disease of the body or a problem of the soul? What can I do to feel better?

They begin by addressing the mind-body question, explaining that we are not merely physical creatures, but that we also are spiritual beings. The authors gently challenge their readers to consider the spiritual causes of their emotional problems. Spiritual issues cannot be addressed merely by material means (such as medications).

They then deal with the problem of pain, providing compassionate biblical answers. The heart of the book is devoted to practically addressing the specific issues of depression, anxiety, and moodiness. Finally, they address cognitive and perceptual problems which have physical causes, such as brain injuries and dementia. In every situation there is hope in Christ!

Testimonies of those who have found biblical help for their emotional pain are intersperced throughout the book and further enhance the authors' message.

The authors very carefully address the use of psychotropic drugs. Dr. Hendrickson speaks from the perspective of a physician as she explains how commonly prescribed medications work, and what their side effects may be. Her viewpoint is enhanced by her personal experiences about which she is refreshingly transparent. While the authors focus on addressing emotional problems through biblical/spiritual means, they do not condemn those who have used psychotropic drugs. They also repeatedly warn readers not to go off of medication without a doctor's supervision.

As a biblical counselor, I have never read a more practical and useable book. I anticipate giving this book to many of my counselees. While it is addressed primarily to women, many men will find great benefit in reading it.

Best Work Yet on Counseling and Medication for Emotional Pain
Reviewer's Grade: 9 out of 10 (only the Bible gets a 10)

Level of Difficulty: 2.5 out of 5
The book is ultimately meant for everyone. Clean, lucid prose. Carefully constructed outline. Informative appendices. And those insightful, makes- things-click-in-your-brain diagrams that biblical counselors are so good at!

Target Audience: Women, specifically women on medication for emotional pain, thinking about getting on medication, or counseling women who are in either of the above situations

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
(C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain)

The premise of this book is that God and His Word are sufficient for enduring with true peace through any emotional pain. Simple enough. Granted this would cover most biblical counseling books out there. However, when a book written by NANC counselors specifically on the subject of suffering and psychiatric medications comes out, it's well worth a read. Thankfully, the book delivers a powerful dose of biblical argumentation, a theological superstructure that holds everything together, a keen personal awareness of pain in all its forms, and penetrating yet warm applications that stir the heart toward faith and obedience in Christ.

Co-written by a medical doctor, this book offers solid basic insight into how theology and medicine are related. It takes us into the physiology of fear and depression (cf. "neuroplasticity" on p. 125), but always rooted in the presupposition that what goes on in the heart effects the outer man. The authors land squarely on the side that habitual training of the mind in the Word will lead to right thoughts, feelings, and choices, which in turn lead to changes in physiology (36-37). This is not to say that meditating on Scripture will heal organic diseases. But when dealing with painful emotions that become full-blown panic, depression, and the like, the authors are dead-on target when they write, "if we do not see ourselves as being able to solve our problems through the grace and power of God, we have missed one of the main themes in the Bible: God enables His people to live victoriously even under very difficult circumstances (36)."

The same truth just stated holds true for those suffering emotional pain stemming from physical illness or some other physical debility. Painful feelings are "God's gift to us to tell us that something is wrong, that something needs fixing" (101). This was, on a personal note, the most exciting insight gained from the book. The book reminds us emphatically that God will withhold earthly delights in order to draw our hearts to the one True delight: Jesus Christ. Such a focus on our Lord and on the gospel permeates the book and shows us the practical significance of the gospel for every sphere of human life.

Although the book was written specifically for women (includes feminine topics in Chapter 7--nothing risque), the theological principles and applications will equip every believer to fight the good fight of faith in the midst of emotional pain. This book will practically guide you to fight feelings with faith, to trust in the sovereign goodness of God in every circumstance, to believe on the promises of Scripture regarding our temptations, to take up the process of change by Scripture-intake and focusing on the needs of others, and lastly, to treasure His kingdom and His righteousness knowing that every need of yours has already been accounted for by the Father. I am especially appreciative of the fact that this book doesn't sugar-coat pain. It just puts it into gospel perspective. Here is a helpful and hope-filled quote that exemplifies this focus:

"At the time when we start to do better and suddenly encounter trouble, we wonder, What did I do wrong? Please don't fall into this trap!...the process of learning, growing, changing, failing, and then learning again is the very plan He's designed for us" (197).

I was personally taken by the perceptive biblical arguments and principles of this book. Each step of the way, the authors drive into my mind the absolute necessity of the cross, the sovereignty and love of God, the centrality of the word, and the folly of this world's philosophies that have now basically eliminated the inner-man from the consciousness of people. It's a work that boldly and graciously urges Scripture-saturated, humble trust in God for overcoming emotional pain. I'm hoping that a future work (by these women or other authors) will focus more on the church's role in this increasingly prevalent counseling issue.

Practical! Profound! Timely!
This easy to read book is a practical guide to a godly way of looking at pain, meds, and our hearts. It's pages are filled with hope and grace for those who suffer from troubling emotions. Full of diagrams, testimonies, and thought provoking questions; this book is a must read for understanding what the Bible says about your pain and the pain of those you love