I love that Kregel knows that I am Canadian and as such, have a heart for reading and promoting Canadian authors. I hadn't known that about Nicole Langman, so I'm grateful they brought it to my attention as I could relate to some of the terminology and examples she shares in This Isn't the Story I Wanted.
This is one of those books where the title captures the emotion perfectly, and the content is as empathetic and understanding as I needed it to be for dealing with grief, loss, and pain.
Many thanks to Kregel Publications for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Content to be aware of: quotes from Lysa TerKeurst, Brother Lawrence, Brené Brown, Philip Yancey; self-forgiveness
Book Synopsis
What do you do when the life you planned is no longer the life you’re living?
When loss doesn’t come with a headline, a funeral, a condolence card, or a casserole?
When you’re left wondering if God sees the invisible aches from dreams unraveling and life unfolding in ways you never imagined?
These are all deeply painful, grief-worthy losses.
Yet women hesitate to call these losses grief. We tend to compare our pain to someone else’s and decide we should be stronger or over it by now. We may minimize or dismiss our feelings.
In This Isn’t the Story I Wanted, therapist, social worker, and speaker Nicole Langman gently reminds you that grief isn’t reserved for death alone. Written in short, devotional-style chapters, this book can be picked up whenever you need a moment of encouragement or hope.
With biblical wisdom, tender understanding, and a therapeutic approach, Nicole invites you to name your pain, process your losses, and discover that God is present even in the stories you never would have chosen.
Let yourself reimagine your grief―where the broken ground of your loss can become the very place God grows hope and a new chapter.
Source: Amazon
Book Thoughts
Grief without the loss of a body can function as an invisible grief, cloaking us from life and what we may deem to be normal. It can keep us down and paralyze us, all without a label to exist under that the world can readily recognize. As a result, it's a struggle not to feel alone in our emotions and experiences. I appreciate that Nicole Langman has written specifically to the reader who is mourning what they thought would be in their life and is now facing the alternative, whether it is divorce, chronic illness, infertility, betrayal, or more. Written in a compassionate tone while pointing toward biblical truth, it's a reminder that God is with us in our pain even when we cannot make sense of it.
Graced with references to the Bible in each chapter, along with comforting verses for reflection and memorization, there is a hope that we can cling to in the midst of our sorrow and suffering. I love that there are prayers included in this book for when we may be struggling with the words to say. Overall, This Isn’t the Story I Wanted meets readers where they are at, in all of the disappointment, frustration, and pain. If you're looking for a helpful guide and a friendly voice who has walked the journey, this is a book worth experiencing and sharing with others who are living a messy story but still desiring to know the Author who can provide comfort and peace.
Book Summary
- Format of book: 📖
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
- Recommendation: 👍
Comments
Post a Comment