Monday, February 14, 2011

Review of When the Hurt Runs Deep

When the Hurt Runs Deep: Healing and Hope for Life's Desperate Moments


Kay Arthur's book, When the Hurt Runs Deep is for people who are suffering through past and/or present circumstances. Arthur attempts to point people to God through His word in the midst of their hurt. It is an honest evaluation of how and why we suffer and what we can do about it.


In the first section Arthur deals with suffering and hurt that a person is not responsible for. Maybe you were abused as a child or a loved one is terminably ill. Arthur provides a side by side analysis with real life scenarios and the Biblical accounts of Joseph and Job. She draws on what God has to say about these godly men's sufferings and what He has to say to us about our own struggles with trauma or hard circumstances in our own lives.

The second section explores the different ways a person can bring suffering on themselves, perhaps through drug or alcohol addiction or having an abortion. Arthur discusses the stories of Judah's disobedience to God and particularly King Manessah. Through scripture she shows that no matter what anyone has done, help and healing can come through confession and prayer. I appreciate that she doesn't gloss over the need to admit our wrongdoing and confess it as sin. She clearly and accurately asserts that no forgiveness and recovery can take place until this initial step is taken.

In the final section Arthur discusses why we, as Christians, must suffer at all. She tackles many of the fallacies that some Christians believe -such as feeling entitled to a trouble-free or prosperous life now that they have come to salvation. She shows scripture to reveal the cost of discipleship and the hardship that can be expected to come for Christians.

The end of the book has an individual or small group study guide. Kay Arthur's personal narrative style suffuses with compassion. God has used her own trials to allow her to be a comfort to others. Indeed, through this book Arthur demonstrates 2 Corinthians 1:4 (the God of all comfort) “who comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort that we ourselves have received from God.” (NIV)
I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review by Blogging for Books.





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12 comments:

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

Sharon, come visit me here for your BLOGGER AWARDS

Soooz Burke said...

Hi there, I am another newbie to the fold of followers from Follow Friday, hosted by "Never Growing Old" I am an author currently published. My book "Empty Chairs" written under my pen name of Stacey Danson has just been published by Night Publishing. I am also an avid reader and conduct reviews and interviews on my blog. This is a marvelous way to follow new sites and meet more like minded people. the link is http://sooozsaysstuff.blogspot.com

Renee said...

I'm reading this book right now! So glad to read your review. I'm visiting with Weekend Bloggy Reading from Doorkeeper at http://reneeannsmith.com/. Blessings!

MANDY said...

New follower from the over 40 hop. I love reading too. Come and visit me at www.mandysescape.blogspot.com

Sharon Galligar Chance said...

From One Sharon to another, Hi! Dropped by from the Over 40 Blog Hop!

Carol said...

New follower thru the hop

enjoy ur weekend

carol

http://dizzycslittlebookblog.blogspot.com/

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Great review! I LOVE Kay Arthur. I did her study that partnered with Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer. She is great on the videos...so open and honest--and funny!

Thanks for linking this to my Weekend Bloggy Reading party. :) Have fun finding some new reads, and I hope you'll visit Serenity Now again soon! :)

Sharon Wilfong said...

Thanks for visiting, Sooz, I will definitely hop by for a visit!

Sharon Wilfong said...

To Renee Ann, I'll hop by to visit! Thanks for visiting. Glad to hear you enjoy the book.

Sharon Wilfong said...

Mandy: Thanks for visiting. I'll come by.

Sharon Wilfong said...

Sharon: Thanks for visiting, I'll visit back.

Sharon Wilfong said...

Amanda: Thanks! I've seen one Kay Arthur video. She basically gave her life story. Just fascinating. Will definitely come visit again. Take care!