March 26, 2011

• Book Review – When the Hurt Runs Deep by Kay Arthur

  Please consider ranking my review at the following link.  

  When the Hurt Runs Deep by Kay Arthur

   

  We live in a world where no one is exempt from pain and hurt.  Sometimes in the midst of great pain we are tempted to blame God or think that He has forgotten us.  Our minds struggle to figure out why God would permit such suffering.  We have a choice.  We can hold on to the pain in bitterness and unforgiveness or we can apply God’s truth and find lasting healing.  The principles and Bible studies that Kay Arthur shares in When the Hurt Runs Deep give practical examples that readers can apply in their circumstances.

   

  Kay Arthur shares twelve healing truths to remember when we are in the midst of our pain.  Most of her truths are based on an understanding of the true nature of God.  That God is sovereign and loves us.  If pain is permitted in our lives, God will use that pain to help us grow.  He will never permit any pain that is not beneficial to our lives.  At times God permits pain to bring us to the end of ourselves, so that we turn to Him to help us. 

   

  Through Biblical studies of the lives of Job, Joseph, David, and Paul, Kay Arthur shows us how God uses pain and suffering to help His children grow and put them in places where they can be of benefit to God’s Kingdom.  If we think God doesn’t understand our pain, she shares how Jesus felt every kind of shame, rejection, hurt and pain that we experience. Kay also shares testimony from her life and the struggles and testimonies of others to encourage the reader to understand God’s healing.  Only when we take our problems to the Cross and turn them over to God can deep and significant healing occur.  Kay assures us that there is no problem that is too great for God to heal and handle.  God can heal pain in our present situation and deep pains caused by hurtful past experiences.

   

  She deals with the important issue of forgiveness.  We need to forgive those who hurt us and we need to forgive ourselves when we have sinned.  If we hold on to guilt and anger we are not trusting in the complete work of Jesus on the Cross.  He died to forgive us all from sin.  We need to make a decision to believe God.  Kay says, “The more you discipline yourself to diligently study the Bible rather than rely on the writings of men, the more deeply you will experience His healing…Complete healing will never come if you don’t first believe that all your sins are forgiven – forgiven by God Almighty, by His Son, and by His Spirit. Until you accept this fact by faith, there will always be a shadow between you and God, a shadow where lies and unjust condemnation lurk in the darkness of unbelief.” (p 182)

   

  Kay’s book includes a helpful appendix detailing practical helps to get through the pain while we wait for the healing of God in our circumstances.  Reading the Word, walking in faith, holding on to God in the midst of the hurt, praise and worship music, and taking care of our physical needs are a few of her suggestions.  There are also study questions that help the reader to process the information in the chapters.  These questions would be great guides for small groups to explore healing from hurt and pain.

   

  Knowing God as I do now, the principles in this book make sense and I can see how the truths of God bring lasting healing.  Had I come across this book before I had an understanding of who God is, before I knew of His incredible love, and had a foundation in the Word of God, I am not sure I would have been able to read the book from cover to cover.   Some of the principles that Kay covers in her book, for example God’s sovereignty, His permitting pain for the greater good, and the need to forgive those who hurt us would have been difficult for me to believe and receive.  Before I had a relationship with God, these concepts would have angered me.  If you give this book to an unbelieving friend, I would recommend reading and discussing the principles with them.  Better still, first lead them in a study that would help the person understand the deep love of God.  Without understanding God’s love, this book will be hard to absorb.

   

  I highly recommend When the Hurt Runs Deep to anyone who has suffered hurt and pain.  Kay lovingly and gently leads the reader through the Bible and lays out principles that can be applied to help overturn hurt and pain. 

   

  I was given this book by Waterbrook/Multnomah for review.  I hope this review blesses you.  Heather Marsten

  • 8:47 am
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