A beautifully written book that delves into the active and co-creative process of healing lives.

Dr. Allender is like an artist who uses words as his paints to first sketch and then intricately detail his profound spiritual insights.

His work offers a wealth of life lessons that every Christian should explore as they strive to answer the challenges of living for God in a secular world.

It is a powerful and inspiring read that has the potential to transform the way we view our spiritual journey and the role we play in the healing process.

The book's engaging prose and thought-provoking ideas make it a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of their faith and how it can impact their daily lives.

Whether you are a seasoned Christian or just beginning to explore your faith, this book has something to offer.

It is a testament to the power of words and the importance of sharing our spiritual insights with others.

I rarely think that I would have the desire to read a book for a second time. However, this particular book is so incredibly rich and profound that I find myself having a completely different attitude.

As I was reading it, I was constantly amazed by how much of its contents resonated with me on a deep level. It was as if the author had somehow tapped into my innermost thoughts and feelings.

The stories, the characters, and the ideas presented in the book were all so engaging and thought-provoking that I couldn't help but be drawn in. Each time I turned the page, I discovered something new and exciting.

I truly believe that this book has the power to touch the hearts and minds of many readers. It is a literary masterpiece that deserves to be read and re-read again and again.

I'm not entirely certain if I've fully grasped the concept of "how the hurts in my past can lead me to a more abundant life" from this book. However, I did discover a great deal of it to be beneficial.

Allender's focus regarding individual hurts is to approach the pain rather than flee from it. Nevertheless, I would have preferred to hear a bit more about how to transcend it.

Some of the chapters are neatly organized like three-point sermons, and some of the illustrations seem rather trite. Nonetheless, the content is substantial and shouldn't be merely skimmed through.

There is material here that can be shared from the pulpit. I found the chapter on ambivalence especially perceptive, and Allender's past experience as a victim of sexual abuse provided me with an understanding of some of the unique challenges that abuse victims encounter.

This book offers a mix of valuable insights and areas that could be further developed. It encourages readers to confront their past hurts and consider how they can transform them into a source of growth and a more fulfilling life.

If you are planning to read several books regarding working through your pain and hurt issues, then this book should definitely be placed at the very top of your stack.

I have gone back on numerous occasions and re-read many sections of this book in order to gain a better Christian perspective on how to heal and discover joy even in the midst of trials and difficulties.

I have also shared this book with friends who have endured various painful situations. Each and every one of them has remarked that the book is powerfully written and has helped them in a profound way.

It offers valuable insights and practical guidance that can truly make a difference in one's journey towards healing and finding inner peace.

This book is not just a collection of words; it is a source of inspiration and strength that can help you navigate through the toughest of times.

So, if you are seeking answers and looking for a way to move forward from your pain, don't hesitate to pick up this book and start reading.

This was an outstanding book.

The author not only empathizes with the readers but also speaks directly to them, validating their pain and betrayal experiences.

Moreover, the author delves deeper into the reasons why we might react in a particular way to such things.

After that, the author endeavors to offer encouragement on how to be more "response-able" in life.

Although it wasn't entirely new information to me, it served as much-needed reminders presented in a calm and kind manner.

Overall, it was truly good stuff.

This book has the potential to help many people come to terms with their past experiences and learn to respond more positively in the future.

It is a must-read for anyone who has ever faced pain or betrayal and is looking for ways to move forward.

The author's approach is both empathetic and practical, making it easy for readers to apply the lessons learned to their own lives.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking personal growth and a deeper understanding of themselves.

A Quick Read

This is a truly remarkable piece that is both informative and compelling. It presents genuine stories of people who have various ways of dealing with their hurts. Some try to bury and hide them deep within, while others wallow in their pain. However, there are also those who, with the help of God, manage to grow as they courageously face their hurts.

The article delves into many scripture passages that may seem untidy and life situations that often don't make sense. It offers a unique perspective on how we can find meaning and growth even in the midst of chaos and pain.

I wholeheartedly recommend this to everyone who has ever had a life experience where they have hurt someone or been hurt. Let's face it, that would be me and just about everyone else. We all have our share of hurts and challenges in life, and this article provides valuable insights and inspiration on how to navigate through them and come out stronger on the other side.

It serves as a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that there is always hope for healing and growth.

At first, it was a bit confusing, slow, and hard to follow. However, as I delved deeper, it turned out to be a truly great explanation.

It was filled with practical advice on how to handle and process suffering and pain through faith. The author used many anecdotes and expressed a great deal of sentimentality.

But overall, if you are seeking a way to process through hurt, this piece is extremely helpful. It offers valuable insights and suggestions that can guide you on your journey of dealing with difficult emotions.

It shows that even in the face of pain and suffering, faith can be a powerful tool for finding peace and healing.

I really like this book.

It doesn't offer the typical "Christian-ese" response of just reading your Bible, praying, and going to church.

Rather, it directly faces your pain and provides you with an understanding of why it exists and what good can potentially come out of it.

The most significant lesson that I have learned from this book is that every life story has a theme of betrayal and redemption.

This means that in our lives, we may experience times when we are betrayed, whether it's by a friend, family member, or in some other aspect.

However, through these experiences, there is also the possibility of redemption and growth.

The book helps us to see that even in the midst of pain and betrayal, there is hope and the opportunity to find meaning and purpose in our lives.

It encourages us to look beyond the immediate circumstances and to trust that there is a greater plan at work.

This lesson has been truly eye-opening for me and has had a profound impact on my perspective.

I am grateful to have read this book and to have gained these valuable insights.

Don't simply shut out your past. Instead, strive to become more whole by uncovering better narratives to interpret both the past and the present. You might come across some clichés and shallower content along the way. However, overall, it is truly well worth a thorough read through. In fact, there are even some parts that demand rereading. I have a particular fondness for the part near the end where he engaged in a conversation with the guy on the plane. (He bestowed upon me a glorious compliment: "I would have never guessed you to be a Christian!") This moment added a touch of authenticity and depth to the story. It made me reflect on how our true selves can often be hidden beneath the surface, and how unexpected encounters can lead to profound revelations.

This statement is truly profound and holds great significance.

It is not only relevant and valuable for those who are going through suffering but also for those who deeply care about and love them.

It offers a remarkable insight into the art of understanding and connecting with others on a deeper level. It reveals the importance of learning how to enter into the aspects that truly matter within the hearts of others.

Moreover, it emphasizes the fact that having the opportunity to tread on the sacred and holy ground of another person's soul is an incredibly precious privilege.

This privilege allows us to gain a profound understanding of their joys, sorrows, hopes, and dreams.

It enables us to offer genuine support, comfort, and love when they need it the most.

In conclusion, this statement serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and connection in our relationships with others.

Every page of this book seemed to whisper directly to the inner turmoil within my own heart.

In my view, Allender refrains from providing a conclusive response to life's hardships and the uncertainties regarding God's love for humanity.

What he accomplishes for the reader, or at least for me, is to guide towards a deeper comprehension of my individual need for Jesus. He skillfully uncovers my pain and sin, and instructs me on how to traverse my personal suffering with faith, hope, and love.

The Healing Path does not merely culminate in a "dying-to-self" at the cross; rather, it leads to a life filled with joy, passion, and a longing to know God more intimately through personal suffering, by virtue of Jesus' suffering on my behalf.

It is a journey that challenges and transforms, opening our eyes to the profound mysteries of faith and the power of God's love in the midst of our trials.

As I continue to read and reflect on the words within these pages, I am filled with a sense of hope and anticipation for the healing and growth that lies ahead.

I truly relished reading this. It encompassed a plethora of excellent applications that I could effortlessly apply to my own life.

This remarkable book poses and answers several profound questions: What ought we to do with our pain? Should we stoically turn a blind eye to it? Should we simply attempt to "get over it"? Or should we optimistically hold onto the hope that everything will ultimately work out for the best?

Dan B. Allender provides the answers to these questions within the pages of this book and delves even deeper into the captivating journey of "The Healing Path". I have a particular affinity for what he so eloquently stated on the last page... "Body and blood swirling over our palate compel us to remember His body hanging limp and tortured. He was betrayed. He was powerless. He was ambivalent and put to shame. Yet He was faithful. He refused to despair. Instead He cried out to His Father and sacrificed Himself in obedience to His calling for the sake of joy."

Jesus endured torture and abuse on behalf of us sinners. He was flawless in every conceivable way and could have easily chosen to forget about us, but He did not. He selflessly elected to die for us. He was the one whom God bestowed upon us to rescue us from Satan and his abode. Even when He was experiencing the most excruciating physical pain imaginable, He did precisely what every one of us should do - He cried out to His Heavenly Father.