Thursday, November 10, 2011

Healing is a Choice by Stephen Arterburn


I recently read Healing is a Choice by Stephen Arterburn: Ten Decisions That Will Transform Your Life & Ten Lies That Can Prevent You from Making Them.  This book has been revised and updated and now includes a full workbook.  In this book Steve discusses how it is up to God to heal us but ultimately we need to make the choice to be healed.  Before reading this book I did not know much about Steve Arterburn.  If you are not familiar with the name, he is the founder of Women of Faith®, as well as, author of several books including “Every Man’s Battle”. 

This book covers a lot of material including Steve’s divorce.  Steve’s divorce is not the main focus of the book but he does talk about the healing process he had to go through and the changes he needed to make.  I appreciate him sharing the details of one of his most painful times in life but I felt that he put most of the blame on his ex-wife, Sandy, for the divorce.  While this may be true, I felt it was wrong to portray her in the light that he did.  I believe that there are two sides to every story.  I am not judging him for getting divorced as I understand that he truly may have wanted to work things out with Sandy.  However, only Steve and Sandy truly know what transpired in their marriage.  It could be interpreted by others that the book was used as a platform to elevate Steve.

I cannot say that the points made in this book are for everyone.  The first big lie that Steve addresses is “All I need to heal is just God and me”.  While he makes some valid points, I don’t think it is a lie that all someone needs is God.  Counselors and other people can certainly impact our lives but they are still people who are prone to sin.  For me, this is not a book that I will be recommending but I do see where it could be helpful to others.  You will have to decide if this book is for you or not.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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