Book Review - "HEALING IS A CHOICE" by Stephen Arterburn

Good Evening to All!

Have you ever felt so hurt that you just wanted to crawl up in a ball and disappear? I have. Have you felt like you didn't know which way to turn or who to turn to? I have .

I requested this book to maybe help me through some of the hard times, but at first glance, I really didn't think I was going to enjoy "Healing is a Choice" by Stephen Arterburn. It didn't seem to be what I was expecting (whatever that was.)

I received it as a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishing or as it is more commonly now known Booksneeze for my review. The opinions which are stated herein are strictly my own for no compensation other than this free copy.

I guess I wasn't paying enough attention when I read the description as far as it's length. I try to request books which are 300 or less pages, because my attention span is not what it should be. I am a total believer in God's Healing, and in the first few pages it seemed to dwell on "talking to others", going to professionals and the like.I enjoyed this book when I really got into it because it MADE ME THINK.

This author would discuss the lies of which we have convinced ourselves, then give us the "Christian Principle". As an example after discussion of the lie, "all I need is God and me", he delves into this explaining about how we need others, such as friends, family and doctors as support for us. If we think about it, God has put them into our lives for a purpose. The author then uses scripture as Galatians 6:2, "share one another's burdens"and gives a brief explanation and then a short Bible study where we are instructed to look up listed scriptures and summarized what each verse has to do with the topic, or as in this case, connecting with others. I really like this part because it seems like if I write something down, it "sets the thought in stone" for me and helps me to consider it more seriously than just "reading a passage and going on to the next.

God CAN and WILL heal us, but ultimately it is our choice. There are ten choices to help us heal and ten lies discussed in this book that can keep a person from making those choices. Mr. Arterburn goes through each one in detail. A couple of them for example are: as mentioned above, The decision or choice is to Connect your Life; the lie being "all I need is God and me". Another is Choice: The Choice to Feel your life; the lie: "Real Christians should have a real peace in all circumstances." A third and final one which I will let you in on is Choice: The choice to Investigate Your Life in Search of Truth; the lie: "It does not good to look back or look inside."
There are ten of these to go through along with "workbook questions at the end of each chapter.

I feel that the book has some good points and is well written, even though if you come into it with "preconceived ideas, it may take a little adjustment in your way of looking at things, but go ahead and do it. You will be blessed. This book is a very helpful tool in learning how to be healed from emotional hurt physical illness.

I like what Mr. Arterburn said. "The power to heal-physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually-- is in God's hands, but the choice to be healed is yours". He also says that everyone at some level needs healing. I personally know this. I went up for prayer many, many times before it finally happened, but a lot of it was timing, after all He will heal us in His timing. Also, I had some things that were hindering my spirit, which was causing a kind of wall between God's power and me.

At the very end of the book, it has a complete set of questions of the material of the whole book. If you are having trouble healing from some personal tragedy, loss, or relationship problems this is an excellent book. It will guide you with practicality and scripture.

I am now anxious and ready to get started on this for my own healing.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!