The Unwanted Gift of Grief
No one escapes the need to deal with grief at some point in their life. The question is how do we move from grief to transformation? That is the focus of this book. Whether it is our personal grief or the grief of a friend or loved one we all need to move through it. While everyone grieves different people may grieve very differently. By understanding the losses, suffering and eventual healing that others have gone through we come to understand grief as a normal process and a gift from God to help us heal.
One part of the book is dedicated to examining the effect of grief on marriage and family. This part includes looking at the different ways that men and women often grieve and how that can affect a relationship. In this section the author also includes a discussion on how grief can affect sexual closeness.
The author's comments reveal a deep understanding of grief and loss. He examines common ways that people use to deal with sickness and injury including prayers for miracles and making contracts with God. For those looking to help others in their grief part three is an excellent guide. It is titled Sojourners in the Wilderness: How to Help. It provides detailed guidelines and helps for those who are helping others through the grief process. It includes separate chapters on helping people in unbelievable darkness, asking why, praying for a miracle, and wrestling with sadness and depression. This is easily one of the best books I have ever read on the subject of grief and grief counseling. It is very highly recommended to anyone going through a loss or supporting those who are.
Author: Tim P. Vanduivendyk, D.Min
Publisher: The Haworth Press, Inc.
10 Alice Street
Binghamton, NY 13904-1580
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 9780789029492
Pages: 183 plus notes and index
Price: $34.95