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The Hurt & the Healer
We all experience fear, shame, loneliness, broken homes, or broken hearts. We all hurt and need true, lasting healing. The trouble, according to bestselling author Andrew Farley and Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe, is that we don't know where to find it.
Inspired by MercyMe's #1 hit song of the same name, The Hurt & The Healer reveals exactly how God can be the gentle healer of all our hurts. Writing from the pain they've experienced in their lives, Millard and Farley reveal how their own struggles caused them to feel they had disappointed God. Through their biblical guidance, readers will see that God wants them to be open and honest about their pain. Only then can they discover how to exchange destructive thinking patterns for God's view of them and watch as God's perfect love casts away all their fears.
Inspired by MercyMe's #1 hit song of the same name, The Hurt & The Healer reveals exactly how God can be the gentle healer of all our hurts. Writing from the pain they've experienced in their lives, Millard and Farley reveal how their own struggles caused them to feel they had disappointed God. Through their biblical guidance, readers will see that God wants them to be open and honest about their pain. Only then can they discover how to exchange destructive thinking patterns for God's view of them and watch as God's perfect love casts away all their fears.
160 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2013
171 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Bart Millard
25 books61 followersBart Marshall Millard is an American singer and songwriter who is best known as the leader of the band MercyMe.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 16, 2016
I am very disappointed with this book. It was recommended to me and as I'm trying to learn more about God's grace right now I thought this could be an encouragement to me--it wasn't. It didn't tell me anything I haven't heard before, no additional thoughts. It was very redundant.
The pages are small yet they manage to repeat themselves a few times per page, first stating something than coming up with multiple anecdotes and examples to support this thought (this thought that was lacking complexity so really doesn't need support). This book is even more redundant than I'm being right now.
Of course their message is good, because it's biblical. But, as I said, it's very unoriginal and it's also pretty shallow. They ramble throughout the book and gave me nothing to sink my teeth into, no traction.
They say they want to use the book to teach people about grace but there's no depth in this book and God's grace is the deepest subject you could address. Disappointing.
The pages are small yet they manage to repeat themselves a few times per page, first stating something than coming up with multiple anecdotes and examples to support this thought (this thought that was lacking complexity so really doesn't need support). This book is even more redundant than I'm being right now.
Of course their message is good, because it's biblical. But, as I said, it's very unoriginal and it's also pretty shallow. They ramble throughout the book and gave me nothing to sink my teeth into, no traction.
They say they want to use the book to teach people about grace but there's no depth in this book and God's grace is the deepest subject you could address. Disappointing.
August 4, 2014
A very simple book about how an understanding of the new covenant helps to heal our hurts by one of the guys seen to be a new 'grace teacher' (others - Steve McVey, Baxter-Kruger, John Crowder, Andrew Wommack, Chris Drysdale). He seems to be one of the more temperate, mainstream evangelicals rather than faith teacher or hyper-charismatic. Inspired by the song by Christian group Mercy Me, which was in turn inspired by Andrew's writing and specifically his The Naked Gospel. Ostensibly it is written by Farley and the singer from this group, Bart.
His understanding of the main ingredients of the new covenant are total forgiveness (of sins past, present and future), a new identity (not two natures) and freedom (from law) in the grace of God (L.1128) He sees our main problem as being governed by feelings; we need to be governed by a belief system (new covenant truths), thoughts in line with this and then choices; our feelings follow or we let them be what they are, because emotions are a part of us (just shouldn’t lead the way). We can be honest about how we feel; he encourages transparency. But don't try to change your feelings; change your thoughts. And choose despite and even against your feelings.
His view of the Law is like mine which is that God used it to make us aware of our sinfulness, leading us to Christ and we are now no longer under the Law. So strongly attacks the performance-law mentality. We need to drop any standards that we have for ourselves to feel good about ourselves - we are 100% loved, accepted and approved no matter what we do. This is based on the finished work of Christ, and clear teaching from Hebrews about the one sacrifice. We are then free to fail, as our acceptance is not wrapped up in success, and we already have God's forgiveness. Also teaches we are righteous - not just positionally but in our core nature. We are already holy and blameless. All of God's punishment is on Christ. We are unpunishable - now and in the future.
Has chps/passages dealing with anxiety, guilt, anger, forgiveness, temptation, circumstances.
He's good on temptation - we are not the flesh (rather old patterns of thinking), and the battle is between the flesh and the Spirit, don't get caught in the middle; the importance of having a game plan when battling against a particular sin; sees sin as a parasite attacking us from within - but it's not our identity. Also, uses illustration of child in a garden with a dog next door that can't get at her - all bark and no bite. Sin did not die but we died to sin.
He's good in being clear that life is sometimes very hard, and it is not about changing circumstances but our inside changing so we can deal with the circumstances. God never promised us that we will never face stuff too difficult to bear - it is too difficult and that is what drives us to dependency on God! Good.
Good Scripture guide at end for establishing ourselves in the new covenant truths.
It sometimes appear too simple (and is) - doesn't deal with the fact that the renewal of the mind can be a real struggle; but sometimes simplicity, even over-simplicity, is what we need. Like Manning, he focuses on unconditional love and acceptance but unlike Manning, he then provides a simple solution to our feelings, and problems. Is it that Manning is too indulgent, and Farley provides a way forward; or that Farley is too simplistic, and Manning is real and honest. Or are they just focusing on different areas?
His understanding of the main ingredients of the new covenant are total forgiveness (of sins past, present and future), a new identity (not two natures) and freedom (from law) in the grace of God (L.1128) He sees our main problem as being governed by feelings; we need to be governed by a belief system (new covenant truths), thoughts in line with this and then choices; our feelings follow or we let them be what they are, because emotions are a part of us (just shouldn’t lead the way). We can be honest about how we feel; he encourages transparency. But don't try to change your feelings; change your thoughts. And choose despite and even against your feelings.
His view of the Law is like mine which is that God used it to make us aware of our sinfulness, leading us to Christ and we are now no longer under the Law. So strongly attacks the performance-law mentality. We need to drop any standards that we have for ourselves to feel good about ourselves - we are 100% loved, accepted and approved no matter what we do. This is based on the finished work of Christ, and clear teaching from Hebrews about the one sacrifice. We are then free to fail, as our acceptance is not wrapped up in success, and we already have God's forgiveness. Also teaches we are righteous - not just positionally but in our core nature. We are already holy and blameless. All of God's punishment is on Christ. We are unpunishable - now and in the future.
Has chps/passages dealing with anxiety, guilt, anger, forgiveness, temptation, circumstances.
He's good on temptation - we are not the flesh (rather old patterns of thinking), and the battle is between the flesh and the Spirit, don't get caught in the middle; the importance of having a game plan when battling against a particular sin; sees sin as a parasite attacking us from within - but it's not our identity. Also, uses illustration of child in a garden with a dog next door that can't get at her - all bark and no bite. Sin did not die but we died to sin.
He's good in being clear that life is sometimes very hard, and it is not about changing circumstances but our inside changing so we can deal with the circumstances. God never promised us that we will never face stuff too difficult to bear - it is too difficult and that is what drives us to dependency on God! Good.
Good Scripture guide at end for establishing ourselves in the new covenant truths.
It sometimes appear too simple (and is) - doesn't deal with the fact that the renewal of the mind can be a real struggle; but sometimes simplicity, even over-simplicity, is what we need. Like Manning, he focuses on unconditional love and acceptance but unlike Manning, he then provides a simple solution to our feelings, and problems. Is it that Manning is too indulgent, and Farley provides a way forward; or that Farley is too simplistic, and Manning is real and honest. Or are they just focusing on different areas?
October 23, 2017
"Masterful"
The authors have done a masterful job in creating a book that gives hope to the hurting. This is an easy read as well as comprehensive. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling for answers to circumstances beyond their control.
The authors have done a masterful job in creating a book that gives hope to the hurting. This is an easy read as well as comprehensive. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling for answers to circumstances beyond their control.
September 23, 2013
A little disappointed because I thought it would be more personal but lots to glean from it and ways to ward off guilty feelings because the book reminds us that we are forgiven through Jesus Christ!
May 21, 2014
Super practical!
July 16, 2014
This is a great book to give away if you are a lay counselor and know someone who is going through challenges. Practical, easy to understand and relevant.
May 4, 2021
I appreciate all of Andrew Farley's writings and his constant reminders of who we are in Christ. This book was no different; however, I felt that as a book addressing healing from hurt it was lacking. It did not really do much exploration or empathizing with the hurt, but rather jumped straight into the healing. While I believe that realizing Christ's unconditional love and renewing one's mind in the truth of his word is the key to healing, this book did not seem as if it was written from a trauma informed place. I think someone who has been deeply wounded or traumatized may feel that this book disregards their pain and jumps too quickly into what may feel like Christian clichés. What one believes about their standing in Christ will affect everything they think about every circumstance in their life, including the hurt one has endured, but I personally would recommend The Naked Gospel or God Without Religion instead of this book which claims to address hurt specifically. I didn't think this book did that very well.
January 26, 2019
"Hurt & The Healer" is a great daily book. If you are struggling with something or your heart is heavy this is a great book to start. Each chapter is short and right to the crux of the human problem. I suggest reading a chapter a day and really thinking about the questions at the end of each chapter.
November 8, 2022
This review first appeared at: C Jane Read.
I don’t really know what I was expecting with this book, but when I first started it I was surprised to discover it was set up like a devotional with each chapter ending with questions to consider and a prayer. After reading the first chapter I decided I would read it like a devotional and do one chapter a day. There are some good perspectives provided that gave me quite a bit to think about. There were some spots that really challenged my thoughts and feelings due to how close they hit home with stuff going on in my life that I wasn’t quite ready to deal with at the time of reading. Because of this I had to take multiple days between reading. This book only has 16 chapters, so I should have been able to read it in just over two weeks, however it took me all month. I did highlight quite a bit throughout and I do want to go back and refer to this book later when I am at a different place.
I don’t really know what I was expecting with this book, but when I first started it I was surprised to discover it was set up like a devotional with each chapter ending with questions to consider and a prayer. After reading the first chapter I decided I would read it like a devotional and do one chapter a day. There are some good perspectives provided that gave me quite a bit to think about. There were some spots that really challenged my thoughts and feelings due to how close they hit home with stuff going on in my life that I wasn’t quite ready to deal with at the time of reading. Because of this I had to take multiple days between reading. This book only has 16 chapters, so I should have been able to read it in just over two weeks, however it took me all month. I did highlight quite a bit throughout and I do want to go back and refer to this book later when I am at a different place.
September 7, 2018
I got this book as a gift a few years ago.
it had some great points but really wished it went more in-depth about grace.
it had some great points but really wished it went more in-depth about grace.
March 5, 2021
You are free.
You are under grace. Free of sin. Holy and Righteous. Blameless in the eyes of God. Period. Thank you for a wonderful reminder. A heart check.
You are under grace. Free of sin. Holy and Righteous. Blameless in the eyes of God. Period. Thank you for a wonderful reminder. A heart check.
November 19, 2014
Terrible theology but a great book to show you the theology behind some of the Christian music coming out today.
September 27, 2020
This is such a good read.. I so recommend.. all his books are good..
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews