I read this because a co-worker not only recommended the book to me, but also brought it to me to read. It has a couple of nuggets of wisdom that I appreciated, but (I can think of no other way to say this) I just didn't vibe with it.

This was great, although I think I'm going to have to read it again, more slowly, at some point. Henri Nouwen, a priest and theologian, wrote the contents of this book as journal entries during a dark period of his life, when he suffered from loneliness and depression. (Wikipedia tells me that those close to him knew that he was also gay, so he was likely struggling with that as well.) The conclusions he comes to are really valuable for any Christian who's struggling.

اوعي تقرا الكتاب دا إلا لو انتَ في الم عميق..
لو قريته وانتَ في حالتك الطبيعية غالباً هتعتربه كتاب عادي زي اي كتاب مشورة..
لكن لو كنت بتتألم فعلاً.. دا انسب كتاب ممكن تقراه.. هتحس كل كلمة حرفياً.. هتقف لثانية كدة وتشك في انك انتَ اللي كاتب الكلام دا مش هنري نووين من كُتر ما هو بيوصف كل آنة حسيت بيها بسبب اي وجع..
الكتاب مش تقليدي ابداً.. بيتكلم عن الألم اه.. لكن مش بيوجهك توجيه سطحي نحو الشفاء.. لأ هو توجيهه عميق لابعد مدي..
انا كان كافي بالنسبة لي احساسي وانا بقراه وانا عنيا بتدمع ان حد حس قبل كدة باللي انا حاساه..
بكرر : اوعي تقراه وانتَ في عهد ازدهار في حياتك.. مش هتحس بكل دا..
يستاهل يتقري ١٠ مرات ويتدرس كمان♥️

This is a beautiful book of short and deep journal entries written by a priest in a great deal of emotional pain. In my current season, it is hard for me to focus when I read, but most of these entries are only a page or two in length, and that worked for me. If I couldn't get through one, I would try again, later, and in this way I slowly made my way to the end. And now I think I will start over, trusting that God will embed the ideas more deeply in me. This was my first experience with Nouwen. The Inner Voice of Love found me at the right time.

One I’m sure I’ll read again and again. I read the first time in Jan 2023 and really enjoyed it, but I felt like a bystander as Henri talked about his anguish. This time though, it was so much more impactful because I’ve lived it.

A book I would recommend to any believer in suffering. Really really powerful. Love Henri’s heart — really beautiful to read about the suffering that built his faith.

محور هذا الكتاب دعوة صادقة وهي دعوة الأديان أجمع
أن تعيش حياتك لله وتبذل نفسك في سبيل الله وأن تكون على نور الله وهداية الله
وما بعد ذلك فهو كله بيد اللطيف الرحيم
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Exactly what I needed to know I am not alone in my dark night of the soul and loneliness. Brings me back to God/Jesus to give me what I need.

Overall, I found this book helpful, hopeful, and challenging, though I was cheesed out here and there.

The inner voice of love is a book that I am really thankful exists. Nouwen’s vulnerability to express his deepest wounds and struggles is much needed in this world. I know I was able to resonate with many of this letters, and I imagine there are plenty of other people that can too. Definitely a book I will recommend a few times in my life, depending on the person. It will be a great suggestion to anyone who feels extremely deeply.

I borrowed this copy from the library, but hope at some point to get my own copy and give it another read, making marks and highlights next time around. There’s a ton of good lines and tidbits that would be phenomenal to quote in pastoral ministry or even from the pulpit. Nouwen has a way of coming up with those one liners very well.

“You are confronted again and again with the choice of letting God speak or letting your wounded self cry out. Although there has to be a place where you can allow your wounded part to get the attention it needs, your vocation is to speak from the place in you where God dwells.”

Truthfully, this book took some diligence to get through, yet there were some sentiments on loneliness, belovedness, and healing that impacted me greatly and made the read worthwhile.

I have read this book often especially is seasons of darkness. It has had a remarkable influence on me.

A Book of Christian fortune cookies, full of wondrous, heart pervading truths. I can’t believe how pertinent this book was to my life. It felt like I wrote the book because I had so many of the feelings and thoughts of the author, but this book gave me the affirmative truths I needed to cope with my emotions. I would recommend this read to all Christian’s, especially those with anxiety, depression, and low self esteem.