From bestselling author and daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham, Anne Graham-Lotz in her new book, Wounded by God’s People, uses the story of Hagar to help people move past their wounds and into the joy and fellowship of God’s presence.
Tucked into Abraham’s biography is the story of Hagar, a young Egyptian slave with whom Abraham had a son named Ishmael. Hagar stands out because she was wounded—not physically, but in ways that were as emotionally and spiritually painful as any injury to a body would be. Some wounds were provoked by her own behavior, but others were inflicted by those who considered themselves God’s people.
As Hagar’s story unfolds, readers discover that wounded people often become wounders themselves. While Anne identifies with the wounded, the unpleasant reality is that she also identifies with the wounders because she has been one too. She knows from experience that wounding is a cycle that needs to be broken. And, according to Lotz, by God’s grace, it can be.
Many have had similar experiences where they have been wounded. Whatever their hurts may be, Wounded by God’s People will help them begin a healing journey—one that enables them to reclaim the joy of God’s presence and all the blessings God has for them.
MY REVIEW:
This book is for anyone who has ever been wounded by the church or other Christian people. I think we all fall into that category, and if you don't, you're one of the fortunate few. There's something so hurtful when we are wounded by other Christians and Anne Graham Lotz knows about this.
It amazed me that someone like Anne Graham Lotz would ever be wounded by the church. After all, if you're like me, you admire her Biblical stand and her amazing teaching. Why in the world would the church wound someone like her? They did - they do - just like it happens all the time to everyone in the church community. The church is made up of fallible people, just like you and me, and there are going to be times when we are wounded or we are the wounders.
This book was so helpful to me in understanding how to heal from the wounds inflicted. It also helped me to understand how not to wound others, and if I do, how to repent and reconcile with those I've wounded. I loved all the Biblical insight that she shares in the book and the real, common-sense advice on how to deal with the hurt of being wounded.
This book made me feel so much better about the fact that we can get past the wounding. We can forgive and separate the wounders from the Lord. That's the biggest thing I came away from this book. Those who wound us are not reflective of how the Lord feels about us. He does not wound us but sometimes it's hard to separate the church people from God. This book helps us to do that.
I highly, highly recommend this book. If you've ever been wounded by the church or by church people, this is definitely the book for you. It will help you to heal and it will give you the tools to move forward from the wounding. It's another excellent book by Anne Graham Lotz!
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by the BookSneeze Program
Blessings - Julie
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