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Healing Is a Choice: 10 Decisions That Will Transform Your Life And 10 Lies That Can Prevent You from Making Them
From chronic physical pain to deep emotional hurts, we are all, at some level, in need of healing. And healing, writes author Stephen Arterburn, is a choice, although not our choice-it is God's choice. While that may lead us to understand that healing is out of our hands, there are several things we do or believe that can stand in the way of God's healing in our lives. Describing ten choices we can make, and the corresponding ten lies that we must reject, Arterburn outlines the plan for opening our lives to God's divine touch. For example, to be receptive to God's healing, we must make the choice to feel ; but we often buy into the lie that we need something to help numb the pain. Likewise, we can choose to embrace reality ; but we often falsely believe that if we act as if nothing is wrong, the problem will go away. Healing on all levels-spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical-is a miraculous gift from God; but it is a function of our own decisions and beliefs as well. When we make the right choices, and reject the lies, we can find the way to wholeness again.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 28, 2005
155 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Stephen F. Arterburn
257 books154 followersStephen Arterburn is the founder and chairman of New Life Ministries—the nation's largest faith-based broadcast, counseling, and treatment ministry—and is the host of the nationally syndicated New Life Live! daily radio program aired on over 180 radio stations nationwide, Sirius XM radio, and on television. Steve is also the founder of the Women of Faith conferences, attended by over 4 million women, and of HisMatchforMe.com.
Steve is a nationally known public speaker and has been featured in national media venues such as Oprah, Inside Edition, Good Morning America, CNN Live, the New York Times, USA Today, and US News & World Report.
In August 2000, Steve was inducted into the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame. A bestselling author, Steve has written more than one hundred books, including the popular Every Man's series and his most recent book, Healing Is a Choice. He is a Gold Medallion–winning author and has been nominated for numerous other writing awards.
Steve has degrees from Baylor University and the University of North Texas as well as two honorary doctorate degrees. Steve is a teaching pastor at Northview Church in suburban Indianapolis and resides with his family in Indiana.
Steve is a nationally known public speaker and has been featured in national media venues such as Oprah, Inside Edition, Good Morning America, CNN Live, the New York Times, USA Today, and US News & World Report.
In August 2000, Steve was inducted into the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame. A bestselling author, Steve has written more than one hundred books, including the popular Every Man's series and his most recent book, Healing Is a Choice. He is a Gold Medallion–winning author and has been nominated for numerous other writing awards.
Steve has degrees from Baylor University and the University of North Texas as well as two honorary doctorate degrees. Steve is a teaching pastor at Northview Church in suburban Indianapolis and resides with his family in Indiana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 29, 2024
On the one hand I didn’t much like this author as he clearly has different views than I do on certain topics yet I rank this highly as I feel like his 10 principles for healing are truth. Going to share this book with someone I know going through a lot.
April 26, 2012
Healing Is A Choice, a highly acclaimed book with over 8 million copies in print is a dearly personal book for the author that is about how people can experience true lasting healing (though not always of the physical kind) in their lives. And in his book author Stephen Arterburn makes that point clear from his own personal experiences, observations as well as from the experiences of others.
Author Arterburn writes, “The power to heal-physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually-is in God’s hands. But the choice to be healed is yours.” Amen! With the addition of the full-workbook his book becomes a vital and helpful tool in our personal journeys to find healing in our own lives. The two things I like about the book are the transparency and realness of the author in sharing details from his own personal life as well as the workbook to guide us as the reader of his book through the various aspects of healing. It’s true that when we read something we only remember so much but when we have to read something and then write down our thoughts about what we read, we do remember much more of what we read. And this is not a book to just read and set on the shelf. This is a “work” book meaning that this is a book to be read and then we are to take what we have read and work on those areas or issues of our lives so that we can experience a greater level of healing in whatever area of our lives that God chooses to work in and through us.
The book consists of 10 Chapters with each Chapter revealing a choice we need to make and a lie that we need to address and reject in our lives and respond to with the truth of God’s Word. There is a workbook section after each choice and lie Chapter in all 10 Chapters of the book. Also, he includes some thoughts for journaling and a prayer that we can pray that is specific for each choice and lie. The 10 Choices and the 10 lies that author Arterburn writes about are: The Choice To Connect Your Life and the “First Big Lie” is “All I need to heal is just God and me;” Chapter 2 – The Choice To Feel Your Life and the lie is “Real Christians should have a real peace In all circumstances,” Chapter 3 – The Choice To Investigate Your Life In Search of Truth and the lie, “It does no good to look back or look inside,” Chapter 4 – The Choice To Heal Your Future and the lie “Time heals all wounds,” Chapter 5 – The Choice To Help Your Life and the lie “I can figure this out by myself,” Chapter 6 – The Choice To Embrace Your Life and the lie “If I just act as If there is no problem, it will finally go away,” Chapter 7 – The Choice To Forgive and the lie “Forgiveness is only for those who deserve it or earn it,” Chapter 8 – The Choice To Risk Your Life and the lie “I must protect myself from anymore pain,” Chapter 9 – The Choice To Serve and the lie “Until I am completely healed and strong, there is no place for me to serve God,” and finally in Chapter 10 – The Choice to Persevere and the lie “There is no hope for me.” And then in Chapter 11 he shares some final important and practical thoughts about healing.
The book is over 450 pages in length so that will give you an idea as to the amount of material author Arterburn covers in all 11 Chapters of his book. When we take on the task of reading this book we need to be prepared to not only do a good amount of reading but also plan on some very intense personal work referring frequently to the Word of God to get God’s wisdom solution for the choices we have to make and God’s truth solution for the lies that we have to address and reject in our lives. And in the book all of us will find ourselves and the choices that we have to make and lies that we have to Biblically and appropriately address if we are to experience healing of the most important and lasting kind…the measure and quality of the type of healing that matters the most and we all desperately long for.
Another important thing to note about the book is that it is not a “feel good” book with a message that if we will just choose to feel better about ourselves and think positively that we will experience a great healing and that everything that is wrong in our lives will magically become all better. No, it is the position of the author in the writing of his book that addressing even the most intensely painful experiences in our lives, even though we do not want to and will do everything we can to possibly avoid doing so, is vitally necessary to experience the deep and lasting healing that God wants to make happen in our lives.
Author Arterburn refers to our making the 10 choices we need to make and rejecting the 10 lies we need to reject not as “hoops that God requires us to jump through” or merely as things we have to do like some simple one time actions that we will take but rather as part of a “journey” where we must choose to let the hurt in our lives go for the healing to begin. And if we will do what God’s Word states and act upon what the author has so thoroughly and practically written in his book, God will meet us at the very deepest and personal level of our need and pain and begin his supernatural power of healing and transformation in our life. I can personally attest to the fact that it is true. And it is the author’s desire for us that “we give up our lives as we know them so that we can find the life God has for us.” He challenges us “to take hold of our future today and make the choices that will lead to our healing.”
So now, the “ball is in your court” and the choice is yours just as it was mine and I hope and pray for you that you will make the right choice which is to get a copy of the book, prayerfully work through it with God and his Word as your guide and as the author writes, “let the healing begin.”
I received a complimentary copy of the book, Healing Is A Choice, from Thomas Nelson Publishers for reviewing it.
For more information about Healing Is A Choice by Stephen Arterburn visit the Thomas Nelson Publishers website.
Author Arterburn writes, “The power to heal-physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually-is in God’s hands. But the choice to be healed is yours.” Amen! With the addition of the full-workbook his book becomes a vital and helpful tool in our personal journeys to find healing in our own lives. The two things I like about the book are the transparency and realness of the author in sharing details from his own personal life as well as the workbook to guide us as the reader of his book through the various aspects of healing. It’s true that when we read something we only remember so much but when we have to read something and then write down our thoughts about what we read, we do remember much more of what we read. And this is not a book to just read and set on the shelf. This is a “work” book meaning that this is a book to be read and then we are to take what we have read and work on those areas or issues of our lives so that we can experience a greater level of healing in whatever area of our lives that God chooses to work in and through us.
The book consists of 10 Chapters with each Chapter revealing a choice we need to make and a lie that we need to address and reject in our lives and respond to with the truth of God’s Word. There is a workbook section after each choice and lie Chapter in all 10 Chapters of the book. Also, he includes some thoughts for journaling and a prayer that we can pray that is specific for each choice and lie. The 10 Choices and the 10 lies that author Arterburn writes about are: The Choice To Connect Your Life and the “First Big Lie” is “All I need to heal is just God and me;” Chapter 2 – The Choice To Feel Your Life and the lie is “Real Christians should have a real peace In all circumstances,” Chapter 3 – The Choice To Investigate Your Life In Search of Truth and the lie, “It does no good to look back or look inside,” Chapter 4 – The Choice To Heal Your Future and the lie “Time heals all wounds,” Chapter 5 – The Choice To Help Your Life and the lie “I can figure this out by myself,” Chapter 6 – The Choice To Embrace Your Life and the lie “If I just act as If there is no problem, it will finally go away,” Chapter 7 – The Choice To Forgive and the lie “Forgiveness is only for those who deserve it or earn it,” Chapter 8 – The Choice To Risk Your Life and the lie “I must protect myself from anymore pain,” Chapter 9 – The Choice To Serve and the lie “Until I am completely healed and strong, there is no place for me to serve God,” and finally in Chapter 10 – The Choice to Persevere and the lie “There is no hope for me.” And then in Chapter 11 he shares some final important and practical thoughts about healing.
The book is over 450 pages in length so that will give you an idea as to the amount of material author Arterburn covers in all 11 Chapters of his book. When we take on the task of reading this book we need to be prepared to not only do a good amount of reading but also plan on some very intense personal work referring frequently to the Word of God to get God’s wisdom solution for the choices we have to make and God’s truth solution for the lies that we have to address and reject in our lives. And in the book all of us will find ourselves and the choices that we have to make and lies that we have to Biblically and appropriately address if we are to experience healing of the most important and lasting kind…the measure and quality of the type of healing that matters the most and we all desperately long for.
Another important thing to note about the book is that it is not a “feel good” book with a message that if we will just choose to feel better about ourselves and think positively that we will experience a great healing and that everything that is wrong in our lives will magically become all better. No, it is the position of the author in the writing of his book that addressing even the most intensely painful experiences in our lives, even though we do not want to and will do everything we can to possibly avoid doing so, is vitally necessary to experience the deep and lasting healing that God wants to make happen in our lives.
Author Arterburn refers to our making the 10 choices we need to make and rejecting the 10 lies we need to reject not as “hoops that God requires us to jump through” or merely as things we have to do like some simple one time actions that we will take but rather as part of a “journey” where we must choose to let the hurt in our lives go for the healing to begin. And if we will do what God’s Word states and act upon what the author has so thoroughly and practically written in his book, God will meet us at the very deepest and personal level of our need and pain and begin his supernatural power of healing and transformation in our life. I can personally attest to the fact that it is true. And it is the author’s desire for us that “we give up our lives as we know them so that we can find the life God has for us.” He challenges us “to take hold of our future today and make the choices that will lead to our healing.”
So now, the “ball is in your court” and the choice is yours just as it was mine and I hope and pray for you that you will make the right choice which is to get a copy of the book, prayerfully work through it with God and his Word as your guide and as the author writes, “let the healing begin.”
I received a complimentary copy of the book, Healing Is A Choice, from Thomas Nelson Publishers for reviewing it.
For more information about Healing Is A Choice by Stephen Arterburn visit the Thomas Nelson Publishers website.
August 7, 2014
Book title: Healing is a Choice: Ten Decisions That will Transform Your Life & Ten Lies That Can Prevent You from Making Them
Author: Stephen Arterburn
Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2011
Number of pages: 480
“Creator of the universe is also the Healer of His universe. He is the ultimate decision maker as to how, when, and from whom we receive healing.” In the introduction of this book, author Stephen Arterburn gets right to the point with both the topic of the book and the source of the healing we are all so desperately in need of.
Arterburn points out that just like all the properties for physical healing are built into us by our Creator, so are the properties for the healing of our souls. But the choice to engage with the healing is our decision and often not an easy one to make.
No one can make you get healed. You have to want it. The fact that you're going to have to learn how to make it happen does not put healing out of reach. God will partner with you to see it through.
Arterburn looks back over the years he went through after a painful divorce to help the reader understand that his experience isn't simply academic. His experience is real and raw. He walked through a “decade of pain, insecurity, and loss.” It's from this process that he wants to help others find a future.
What Arterburn learned about healing from the pain of divorce was that he had to make a choice to forgive. The choice to forgive is not limited to a one time event, the choice to forgive presents itself over and over again.
Healing happens as a series of choices and that's how Arterburn lays out his book.
The choice to connect your life
The choice to feel your life
The choice to investigate your life in search of truth
The choice to heal your future
The choice to help your life
The choice to embrace your life
The choice to forgive
The choice to risk your life
The choice to serve
The choice to persevere
Each of the ten chapters names a lie determined to sabotage the work that needs to be done in your life and your relationships. Each chapter includes workbook questions to get you thinking about, writing down, and“[moving] you along [to] help you experience whatever healing God allows for your life.”
Throughout the book, Arterburn makes a strong argument without arguing. He is both a teacher and a cheerleader helping the reader gain perspective and see new possibilities for his life.
While Arterburn emphasizes our spiritual building blocks, solutions he offers are accessible, applicable, and bring value to repaired connections and hope for a future of sustainable relationships.
Personally, choosing to live in community has been the biggest challenge for me and the most important takeaway from the book. I need to quit thinking I can muscle my way through the challenges and roadblocks life throws up on my own. Seek to connect rather than correct. But, for a non-diplomatic, fight-about-the-details guy like me, that's a massive effort.
Reading and reviewing this book has been timely for me. It comes during a season when events in both my spiritual and professional life have inflicted personal pain and disappointment on me as well as many I am in community with. I definitely recommend this book for anyone in a similar season or someone carrying the heavy burdens of past broken relationships. I think that covers just about all of us. Get the book.
Author: Stephen Arterburn
Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2011
Number of pages: 480
“Creator of the universe is also the Healer of His universe. He is the ultimate decision maker as to how, when, and from whom we receive healing.” In the introduction of this book, author Stephen Arterburn gets right to the point with both the topic of the book and the source of the healing we are all so desperately in need of.
Arterburn points out that just like all the properties for physical healing are built into us by our Creator, so are the properties for the healing of our souls. But the choice to engage with the healing is our decision and often not an easy one to make.
No one can make you get healed. You have to want it. The fact that you're going to have to learn how to make it happen does not put healing out of reach. God will partner with you to see it through.
Arterburn looks back over the years he went through after a painful divorce to help the reader understand that his experience isn't simply academic. His experience is real and raw. He walked through a “decade of pain, insecurity, and loss.” It's from this process that he wants to help others find a future.
What Arterburn learned about healing from the pain of divorce was that he had to make a choice to forgive. The choice to forgive is not limited to a one time event, the choice to forgive presents itself over and over again.
Healing happens as a series of choices and that's how Arterburn lays out his book.
The choice to connect your life
The choice to feel your life
The choice to investigate your life in search of truth
The choice to heal your future
The choice to help your life
The choice to embrace your life
The choice to forgive
The choice to risk your life
The choice to serve
The choice to persevere
Each of the ten chapters names a lie determined to sabotage the work that needs to be done in your life and your relationships. Each chapter includes workbook questions to get you thinking about, writing down, and“[moving] you along [to] help you experience whatever healing God allows for your life.”
Throughout the book, Arterburn makes a strong argument without arguing. He is both a teacher and a cheerleader helping the reader gain perspective and see new possibilities for his life.
While Arterburn emphasizes our spiritual building blocks, solutions he offers are accessible, applicable, and bring value to repaired connections and hope for a future of sustainable relationships.
Personally, choosing to live in community has been the biggest challenge for me and the most important takeaway from the book. I need to quit thinking I can muscle my way through the challenges and roadblocks life throws up on my own. Seek to connect rather than correct. But, for a non-diplomatic, fight-about-the-details guy like me, that's a massive effort.
Reading and reviewing this book has been timely for me. It comes during a season when events in both my spiritual and professional life have inflicted personal pain and disappointment on me as well as many I am in community with. I definitely recommend this book for anyone in a similar season or someone carrying the heavy burdens of past broken relationships. I think that covers just about all of us. Get the book.
January 4, 2019
There is no doubt about it: this world is full of hurting people in desperate need of healing. We know there is One Source for true healing and that is a relationship with God. All healing occurs at His hand. We are not helpless in the matter, though. Arterburn presents us with ten choices that we can make to partner with God in the healing process, along with ten lies we might believe which could leave us stuck where we are. As Arterburn explains on page 19, "Healing is a choice. It is God's choice, but there are choices each of us must make if we are to experience whatever healing God has for us."
When I first received this book I was quite surprised at how big it was. This version includes the full workbook, making it more than 450 pages in total. It was a little intimidating, at least until I opened it to the table of contents and read down the list of healing choices. My heart began saying, "Yes, yes, yes!" and I wanted to cry for joy that I had the chance to read something that looked to line up so well with my own healing journey.
I took my time in reading through it, and did almost all of the workbook exercises along the way. I absolutely loved how healing was equated with getting out of our comfort zone, out of the boxes or ruts we've built for ourselves, and putting our lives in the position to hear from God in new ways. It's about being connected to Him, being connected to His people, and letting His love, peace, and forgiveness rule in our hearts.
To put yourself on the path to healing is a brave choice. There are reasons many prefer to stay in their comfort zones, sick though it may leave them. We need not fear when we partner with God, though. As we let Him work in us and through us, victory comes. It is an overcoming journey for those who are willing to accept the challenge, because with His help all things are possible.
All of the chapters are very good, but my favorites were 1, 8, 9, and 10. If you are hurting and feeling in need of some encouragement, please check this book out. I believe every believer can benefit from the words in these pages!
I received this book from BookSneeze in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.
This review originated at http://www.reviewsbyerin.livejournal.com
When I first received this book I was quite surprised at how big it was. This version includes the full workbook, making it more than 450 pages in total. It was a little intimidating, at least until I opened it to the table of contents and read down the list of healing choices. My heart began saying, "Yes, yes, yes!" and I wanted to cry for joy that I had the chance to read something that looked to line up so well with my own healing journey.
I took my time in reading through it, and did almost all of the workbook exercises along the way. I absolutely loved how healing was equated with getting out of our comfort zone, out of the boxes or ruts we've built for ourselves, and putting our lives in the position to hear from God in new ways. It's about being connected to Him, being connected to His people, and letting His love, peace, and forgiveness rule in our hearts.
To put yourself on the path to healing is a brave choice. There are reasons many prefer to stay in their comfort zones, sick though it may leave them. We need not fear when we partner with God, though. As we let Him work in us and through us, victory comes. It is an overcoming journey for those who are willing to accept the challenge, because with His help all things are possible.
All of the chapters are very good, but my favorites were 1, 8, 9, and 10. If you are hurting and feeling in need of some encouragement, please check this book out. I believe every believer can benefit from the words in these pages!
I received this book from BookSneeze in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.
This review originated at http://www.reviewsbyerin.livejournal.com
September 18, 2023
I read this for a class at church and believe it would particularly apply to Christians who have experienced relational trauma.The author is a well-known Christian counselor, radio talk-show host, speaker and author who experienced a divorce. Through this, he realized the important choices he needed to make in order to heal. I believe men would find this book particularly helpful.
December 26, 2011
In Healing Is A Choice, Stephen Arterburn teaches readers the process of healing the pain you have endured during your life. No one escapes this life without having to heal from their past. The things we go through will only make us stronger. Stephen was married to his wife for twenty years. One day she told him she wanted to get a divorce. He was deeply upset and he didn't know how the Christian community would react. This book is not just about his divorce he shared many stories and examples of healing your own personal hurts.This book will walk readers into making choices that will heal their souls. He explored ten decisions that will change your life and bring in the healing we so desperately need and want. He also revealed lies that can hinder the process of healing.
Here are some examples of the ten decisions we have to make to heal and ten lies we must resist.
Some of the ten decisions we can make are choosing to connect with people who will support and be there for us. We tend to want to put invisible walls up to protect ourselves from ever being hurt again. But that only ends up making us hurt longer and we won't heal. Another choice is feeling our lives where we can become whole again. Another choice is forgive the person who hurt us and forgiving ourselves. Holding on to the past and anger will not help us to heal and to be whole. Another choice is to take healthy risks to enjoy your life and live it to the fullest. A life changing choice is to persevere. Suicide is never the answer to life's problem. We have to make the difficult decision to never give up and to keep living our lives.
Some of the ten lies we must resist is believing that there is no hope to this life. I might as well give up and get depressed. This one is important to stay away from! God made us and we are here for a reason. We don't need to commit suicide to escape the trials of life. Another lie we must resist is time will heal us just keep living and eventually you will be whole. We must take time to heal the pain in our souls. Another choice we have to stay away from is putting up walls to protect us from anymore pain in our lives. Another choice we have to resist is believing we can't serve God while going through our pain.
Healing Is A Choice has a wonderful workout that is included in the revised and updated edition. You are encouraged to journal and answer the questions at the end of the chapters. This will help you to reinforce the knowledge you have learned. The book is quite long but it's worth reading and if it heals your life like it helped heal mine it will be worth the time and effort!
I would recommend Healing Is A Choice to everyone! If you are struggling with forgiving others and are needing healing in your life pick up this book! The process of healing can be long but if you stick with trying to get well by using these steps it will help you immensely. The pain we have to endure will only make us withdrawn and hide. But there is a better way to live. The healed life is a life of freedom of our past and pain. We can heal our future and become free! Holding on to hurt destroys our relationships but we must connect with others and not wall them out. Life without losing doesn't exist, we all are going to be hurt and let down. We have to stand back up and try again! This book taught me to get well by making the correct choices. I had to reject the lies of Satan. He doesn't want me to get healed. But I can make the decision to go through my pain and come out on the other side stronger than before!
“I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.”
Here are some examples of the ten decisions we have to make to heal and ten lies we must resist.
Some of the ten decisions we can make are choosing to connect with people who will support and be there for us. We tend to want to put invisible walls up to protect ourselves from ever being hurt again. But that only ends up making us hurt longer and we won't heal. Another choice is feeling our lives where we can become whole again. Another choice is forgive the person who hurt us and forgiving ourselves. Holding on to the past and anger will not help us to heal and to be whole. Another choice is to take healthy risks to enjoy your life and live it to the fullest. A life changing choice is to persevere. Suicide is never the answer to life's problem. We have to make the difficult decision to never give up and to keep living our lives.
Some of the ten lies we must resist is believing that there is no hope to this life. I might as well give up and get depressed. This one is important to stay away from! God made us and we are here for a reason. We don't need to commit suicide to escape the trials of life. Another lie we must resist is time will heal us just keep living and eventually you will be whole. We must take time to heal the pain in our souls. Another choice we have to stay away from is putting up walls to protect us from anymore pain in our lives. Another choice we have to resist is believing we can't serve God while going through our pain.
Healing Is A Choice has a wonderful workout that is included in the revised and updated edition. You are encouraged to journal and answer the questions at the end of the chapters. This will help you to reinforce the knowledge you have learned. The book is quite long but it's worth reading and if it heals your life like it helped heal mine it will be worth the time and effort!
I would recommend Healing Is A Choice to everyone! If you are struggling with forgiving others and are needing healing in your life pick up this book! The process of healing can be long but if you stick with trying to get well by using these steps it will help you immensely. The pain we have to endure will only make us withdrawn and hide. But there is a better way to live. The healed life is a life of freedom of our past and pain. We can heal our future and become free! Holding on to hurt destroys our relationships but we must connect with others and not wall them out. Life without losing doesn't exist, we all are going to be hurt and let down. We have to stand back up and try again! This book taught me to get well by making the correct choices. I had to reject the lies of Satan. He doesn't want me to get healed. But I can make the decision to go through my pain and come out on the other side stronger than before!
“I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.”
June 21, 2021
This is another popular book that’s new to me. It is for deep soul work, and I’m taking it slow. The built-in workbook helps you process the ten lies that prevent you from becoming emotionally healthy, and helps you choose the ten decisions that can change everything for you. It’s an excellent companion if you are receiving Christian counseling, or a good check-up if you have already seen a counselor (like I did for 5+ years).
December 13, 2016
Just finished this as a small group..this will be a reference book for me to check often for good reminders on healing.
We were all blessed by the practical counsel
in this book.
We were all blessed by the practical counsel
in this book.
December 8, 2019
This is an old book but still filled with truth. If you or someone you love struggle with emotional healing, this would be a good book to read.
March 2, 2023
Good book with good advice.
October 2, 2025
Great!
Very insightful! It gives everyone room to reflect. Loved the added workbook! I highly recommend it. Will read again and share.
Very insightful! It gives everyone room to reflect. Loved the added workbook! I highly recommend it. Will read again and share.
October 10, 2025
Another good book from Mr. Arterburn. I always learn new things in his books and this was no exception.
December 22, 2011
Stephen Arterburn in his new book, “Healing Is a Choice” published by Thomas Nelson provides 10 Decisions That Will Transform Your Life and 10 Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them.
From the back cover: Do you want to get well?
The power to heal-physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually-is in God’s hands. But the choice to be healed is yours. Everyone, at some level, needs healing. You may have prayed for healing many times, for many years. Perhaps you have lived with your brokenness so long that you have become accustomed to it. Maybe you wonder just when God is going to take all the hurt away.
He can. But you also must choose to let the hurt go and let the healing begin.
In this special edition of “Healing Is a Choice”, author Stephen Arterburn offers a unique combination of book and workbook, outlining ten choices crucial to receiving healing. Embracing these choices means rejecting the lies we often tell ourselves. These are not hoops God requires you to jump through to earn your miracle: they form, instead, the journey He desires for you. He can–and will–walk with you. But you must put one foot in front of the other and choose to let the hurt go and let the healing begin.
In the Gospel there is an account of Jesus going to a paralyzed man and asking him if he wants to get well. Really, the question requires a yes or no answer. Yet the man does not give it to Jesus. Instead he tells him the story of the pool, what happens when the pool is stirred and someone gets in it and why he has never made it to the water. He never answers the question do you want to get well yet, clearly, the answer is yes. So Jesus heals him anyway. Dr. Arterburn tells us that we need to answer the question that Jesus asked the man and we need to answer yes or no. If we answer yes then we need to put aside our stories that we tell ourselves and others (The man at the pool had a story) and choose our healing. It is, somewhat, similar to getting a new car when we currently have a car that we have had for ten years. We need to bring this car to the dealership, turn over the keys to the salesman, despite that we have had it for so long, and accept the keys to our new car and drive away with it leaving the old car behind. Dr. Arterburn gives us the ten decisions that will change our lives and the ten lies that hold us back. We need to read this book very carefully and then apply what we have learned to our lives. God wants us well and we need to accept His healing so that we can grow and help others. Everyone should have this book it is that needful!
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson. 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Do you want to get well?
The power to heal-physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually-is in God’s hands. But the choice to be healed is yours. Everyone, at some level, needs healing. You may have prayed for healing many times, for many years. Perhaps you have lived with your brokenness so long that you have become accustomed to it. Maybe you wonder just when God is going to take all the hurt away.
He can. But you also must choose to let the hurt go and let the healing begin.
In this special edition of “Healing Is a Choice”, author Stephen Arterburn offers a unique combination of book and workbook, outlining ten choices crucial to receiving healing. Embracing these choices means rejecting the lies we often tell ourselves. These are not hoops God requires you to jump through to earn your miracle: they form, instead, the journey He desires for you. He can–and will–walk with you. But you must put one foot in front of the other and choose to let the hurt go and let the healing begin.
In the Gospel there is an account of Jesus going to a paralyzed man and asking him if he wants to get well. Really, the question requires a yes or no answer. Yet the man does not give it to Jesus. Instead he tells him the story of the pool, what happens when the pool is stirred and someone gets in it and why he has never made it to the water. He never answers the question do you want to get well yet, clearly, the answer is yes. So Jesus heals him anyway. Dr. Arterburn tells us that we need to answer the question that Jesus asked the man and we need to answer yes or no. If we answer yes then we need to put aside our stories that we tell ourselves and others (The man at the pool had a story) and choose our healing. It is, somewhat, similar to getting a new car when we currently have a car that we have had for ten years. We need to bring this car to the dealership, turn over the keys to the salesman, despite that we have had it for so long, and accept the keys to our new car and drive away with it leaving the old car behind. Dr. Arterburn gives us the ten decisions that will change our lives and the ten lies that hold us back. We need to read this book very carefully and then apply what we have learned to our lives. God wants us well and we need to accept His healing so that we can grow and help others. Everyone should have this book it is that needful!
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson. 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
December 19, 2012
I have read several books during my journey. Some have impacted me to make changes…others were just books I read. THIS is not just a book…it’s a book that has opened an entire layer within me to uncover! I received the Kindle e-Book to review, but wish I had selected the print book. It is definitely going to be a book I purchase for my library.
The book starts with Stephen Arterburn sharing his experience of facing a divorce; a very public divorce. As a recognized speaker on marriage, getting a divorce was going to be painful. Luckily he found himself amongst a group of merciful and graceful people who gave him the support to survive. I was able to read the first two chapters when I decided the book wasn’t for me. I moved on to another book.
About a week ago, after a tremendously rough 2 weeks of dealing with family issues, I returned to the book. I understand now why I took a break. My heart had to be softened for the rest of the book. I needed to really understand what was being said. I was now ready to make my choice.
The story of the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda is one of my favorite Bible passages. I just love to read how Jesus finally sees this poor man, neglected all those years, and brings him healing. I never did look at the perspective that is presented in this book. Jesus asked the man if HE wanted to BE HEALED. You would think it was a ridiculous question to ask of a lame man. However the point was that Jesus could not heal this man until HE wanted to be healed. The man answered, YES, and Jesus healed him. He took up his mat and walked from the place he had laid for so many years.
I don’t know how long you have struggled, but I know this; it is time to pick up your mat and walk. ~ Stephen Arterburn
This sentence opened the floodgates of my soul. I wept from the very depth of my being. It is time. Time to accept my healing, take up my mat and walk!
Each chapter in this book introduces a choice to be made along the road to healing. After the choice, a common lie about healing is introduced. There are a total of 10 choices and 10 lies. This edition of the book includes a workbook. This section helps the reader to explore further concepts in the chapter. It is a very powerful component and the reason I wish to buy the actual physical book.
So what are the choices? The lies? Let me give you a couple that personally spoke to me:
The choice: “to heal your future” and the lie: “Time Heals all Wounds"
The choice: “To forgive” and the lie: “Forgiveness is only for those who deserve or earn it.”
I'll be honest. This book is tough. It forces you to be brutally honest with yourself. It makes you admit what is your issues and face them head-on. This will not bring you a get-well-quick solution. You will have to be raw, vulnerable and completely surrendered to the healing process. It will take you directly to the source of your pain, so that you will no longer stay where you are.
The book starts with Stephen Arterburn sharing his experience of facing a divorce; a very public divorce. As a recognized speaker on marriage, getting a divorce was going to be painful. Luckily he found himself amongst a group of merciful and graceful people who gave him the support to survive. I was able to read the first two chapters when I decided the book wasn’t for me. I moved on to another book.
About a week ago, after a tremendously rough 2 weeks of dealing with family issues, I returned to the book. I understand now why I took a break. My heart had to be softened for the rest of the book. I needed to really understand what was being said. I was now ready to make my choice.
The story of the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda is one of my favorite Bible passages. I just love to read how Jesus finally sees this poor man, neglected all those years, and brings him healing. I never did look at the perspective that is presented in this book. Jesus asked the man if HE wanted to BE HEALED. You would think it was a ridiculous question to ask of a lame man. However the point was that Jesus could not heal this man until HE wanted to be healed. The man answered, YES, and Jesus healed him. He took up his mat and walked from the place he had laid for so many years.
I don’t know how long you have struggled, but I know this; it is time to pick up your mat and walk. ~ Stephen Arterburn
This sentence opened the floodgates of my soul. I wept from the very depth of my being. It is time. Time to accept my healing, take up my mat and walk!
Each chapter in this book introduces a choice to be made along the road to healing. After the choice, a common lie about healing is introduced. There are a total of 10 choices and 10 lies. This edition of the book includes a workbook. This section helps the reader to explore further concepts in the chapter. It is a very powerful component and the reason I wish to buy the actual physical book.
So what are the choices? The lies? Let me give you a couple that personally spoke to me:
The choice: “to heal your future” and the lie: “Time Heals all Wounds"
The choice: “To forgive” and the lie: “Forgiveness is only for those who deserve or earn it.”
I'll be honest. This book is tough. It forces you to be brutally honest with yourself. It makes you admit what is your issues and face them head-on. This will not bring you a get-well-quick solution. You will have to be raw, vulnerable and completely surrendered to the healing process. It will take you directly to the source of your pain, so that you will no longer stay where you are.
January 21, 2013
Particularly for a evangelical Christians who are suffering from emotional traumas and hurtful pasts, this book can offer much that is valuable. The author takes seriously the need for the wounded to utilize outside help. It is not a lack of faith to seek outside help, for God works through human agencies to bring about healing.
The importance of the wounded to make difficult but necessary choices in order to progress in their healing is the main thesis of this book. The author summarizes these as ten decisions that must be made. In the version of the Kindle book that I read, a large bulk of the book consists of workbook exercises that an individual or group should work through in order to apply each step as they are presented. The exercises will take time, effort, and commitment.
Many of the steps do not require a particular faith perspective, but a number are strongly evangelical Christian. This may turn away some readers. In particular I saw how the author brings up repeatedly abortion as an emotionally damaging issue. This may or may not be the case depending on one's worldview, but a pro-choice reader may find the dwelling on this particular issue unnecessary and even offensive.
Another point that might cause unease or turn away some readers is a certain amount of gender-stereotyping that the author seems to make. This is particularly pronounced at the beginning of chapter 4 where he discusses dreams that a person may have had as a child and young person. In the examples he gives, he speaks of men having "big dreams to conquer something or to achieve greatness" whereas "it is very common for women to believe that they will grow up and marry someone close to being a prince." This may be a very common evangelical perspective, but it may sound sexist from a more egalitarian view.
What I see could be the biggest problem is the tenth step where the author writes, "Healing is God's choice as well as the timing of that choice and the method of the healing." With what follows the implication is that even after making the necessary decisions to bring about emotional healing, because it is in God's hands, you may or may not see it happen, ever. While I realize that healing may not occur after following the steps, and (as a Christian - though not evangelical) I do believe that God holds the power of healing, the weakness I see is that by laying all responsibility for the actual healing onto God, it lets the author off the hook if the contents of the book are wrong or insufficient. Or worse, the blame is on the wounded because they failed to follow the prescribed steps exactly and make the necessary efforts.
I do think there is value in the information provided by the author, but I would not rely solely upon it. I think wounded individuals should heed the advice given to seek outside help and obtain additional perspectives and tools to help them achieve the healing that they desire.
The importance of the wounded to make difficult but necessary choices in order to progress in their healing is the main thesis of this book. The author summarizes these as ten decisions that must be made. In the version of the Kindle book that I read, a large bulk of the book consists of workbook exercises that an individual or group should work through in order to apply each step as they are presented. The exercises will take time, effort, and commitment.
Many of the steps do not require a particular faith perspective, but a number are strongly evangelical Christian. This may turn away some readers. In particular I saw how the author brings up repeatedly abortion as an emotionally damaging issue. This may or may not be the case depending on one's worldview, but a pro-choice reader may find the dwelling on this particular issue unnecessary and even offensive.
Another point that might cause unease or turn away some readers is a certain amount of gender-stereotyping that the author seems to make. This is particularly pronounced at the beginning of chapter 4 where he discusses dreams that a person may have had as a child and young person. In the examples he gives, he speaks of men having "big dreams to conquer something or to achieve greatness" whereas "it is very common for women to believe that they will grow up and marry someone close to being a prince." This may be a very common evangelical perspective, but it may sound sexist from a more egalitarian view.
What I see could be the biggest problem is the tenth step where the author writes, "Healing is God's choice as well as the timing of that choice and the method of the healing." With what follows the implication is that even after making the necessary decisions to bring about emotional healing, because it is in God's hands, you may or may not see it happen, ever. While I realize that healing may not occur after following the steps, and (as a Christian - though not evangelical) I do believe that God holds the power of healing, the weakness I see is that by laying all responsibility for the actual healing onto God, it lets the author off the hook if the contents of the book are wrong or insufficient. Or worse, the blame is on the wounded because they failed to follow the prescribed steps exactly and make the necessary efforts.
I do think there is value in the information provided by the author, but I would not rely solely upon it. I think wounded individuals should heed the advice given to seek outside help and obtain additional perspectives and tools to help them achieve the healing that they desire.
October 27, 2021
This review was originally posted over at my website.
First, the 2011 edition of this book includes a study guide which takes up about half the pages. So don't let the page count daunt you.
The title of this book bothered me. Does the author really think that healing is simply a matter of deciding to heal? And if so, what does that say about those who struggle to find healing decades on? Arterburn's answer to these questions is vague enough to be both relieving and slightly disturbing. Ultimately, his point seems to be this: "Healing is a choice. It is God's choice, but there are choices that each of us must make if we are to experience whatever healing God has for us" (p. 19).
Overall, this book should be high on the reading list for those who have experienced serious brokenness and wonder if healing is even possible. Such people will probably find the book insightful on many aspects of brokenness.
The ups
First, Arterburn (who happens to also be the co-author of the best-selling Every Man's Battle series) is painfully open about his own past and the struggles that led him to write this book. His vulnerability gives him authenticity even though the extent of his brokenness doesn't compare to what some have experienced.
Second, the content of this book is substantial. I found that I could sink my teeth into the ideas and walk away with changes to make in my thinking and living. A few samples of the ten decisions will give you a feel: the choice to feel your life, the choice to risk your life, the choice to serve, etc.
Third, in spite of the overtones of condemnation in the title, Arterburn generally handles difficult issues with the wisdom and sensitivity that comes from experience and careful research and thought.
The downs
First, as a Christian book, this book is quite disappointing. Theology is addressed occasionally and generally as an afterthought. Jesus Christ is peripheral and God functions to make much of us. The big issue in this book is us.
Second, where theology does come up, it's pretty pathetic. Sin is generally referred to as "mistakes" or "shortcomings," Scripture is often quoted from The Message, and the use of Scripture is fast and loose as a general rule. Additionally, at one point the author seems to promote an open theology of the sovereignty of God.
Conclusion
While the downs are quite down, this book does come from a basically Christian world-view and should be helpful to the sorts of people that often end up in the too-hard basket. While the book needs to be read with discernment, as a group study or a one-on-one study, this book is ideal. The reader should walk away thinking differently and with hope for continued healing.
First, the 2011 edition of this book includes a study guide which takes up about half the pages. So don't let the page count daunt you.
The title of this book bothered me. Does the author really think that healing is simply a matter of deciding to heal? And if so, what does that say about those who struggle to find healing decades on? Arterburn's answer to these questions is vague enough to be both relieving and slightly disturbing. Ultimately, his point seems to be this: "Healing is a choice. It is God's choice, but there are choices that each of us must make if we are to experience whatever healing God has for us" (p. 19).
Overall, this book should be high on the reading list for those who have experienced serious brokenness and wonder if healing is even possible. Such people will probably find the book insightful on many aspects of brokenness.
The ups
First, Arterburn (who happens to also be the co-author of the best-selling Every Man's Battle series) is painfully open about his own past and the struggles that led him to write this book. His vulnerability gives him authenticity even though the extent of his brokenness doesn't compare to what some have experienced.
Second, the content of this book is substantial. I found that I could sink my teeth into the ideas and walk away with changes to make in my thinking and living. A few samples of the ten decisions will give you a feel: the choice to feel your life, the choice to risk your life, the choice to serve, etc.
Third, in spite of the overtones of condemnation in the title, Arterburn generally handles difficult issues with the wisdom and sensitivity that comes from experience and careful research and thought.
The downs
First, as a Christian book, this book is quite disappointing. Theology is addressed occasionally and generally as an afterthought. Jesus Christ is peripheral and God functions to make much of us. The big issue in this book is us.
Second, where theology does come up, it's pretty pathetic. Sin is generally referred to as "mistakes" or "shortcomings," Scripture is often quoted from The Message, and the use of Scripture is fast and loose as a general rule. Additionally, at one point the author seems to promote an open theology of the sovereignty of God.
Conclusion
While the downs are quite down, this book does come from a basically Christian world-view and should be helpful to the sorts of people that often end up in the too-hard basket. While the book needs to be read with discernment, as a group study or a one-on-one study, this book is ideal. The reader should walk away thinking differently and with hope for continued healing.
January 16, 2012
This book is an excellent resource for anyone who has gone through a painful experience and has yet to heal from it. Big or small, public or secret. Maybe you've gone through the Bible, gone to counseling, talked to people, taken medicine, and nothing is helping. Maybe you haven't told a soul and you don't know what to do.
This book is for you.
The ten decisions (and ten lies exposed!) are so straightforward that they totally change your thinking. It's blunt, clear, easy to read, and divided up into chunks that are easy to swallow (although I had no problem tearing through several chunks at a time because of how clear and understandable it is).
Here are 5 reasons why this is a great book for individuals and small groups:
It comes from someone who has not only counseled people with problems, but someone who has been through emotional and spiritual pain himself. He understands what you're thinking and feeling, and he has a way of writing it that everything makes sense.
It is extremely biblically founded. It's not just quoting a few verses and most of it psychology… It's all straight from God's word.
The new version has a workbook built right into it. There are journaling places, Bible verses to look up and relate back to the chapter, and exercises to complete (individually, or as a group, depending on your situation).
It can be used as a devotional, or as a small-group handbook, because everything in here will apply to every small or large problem you have.
I know this is really random, but there are decent sized margins and good space between the lines. This makes for good annotating and note taking. I don't know about you, but all my non-fiction books—especially God books—have writing all over them. It annoys me when I don't have space to write my thoughts in the book. There is space in this one.
All in all, I encourage you to grab this book. It's excellent and I love it, and have been using it for my personal Bible study.
Content/Recommendation: Some of the stories used for examples included in this book are about very…mature topics. I would recommend ages 14+, and if used for anyone younger than that, maybe a parent or small-group leader to guide the younger students and explain certain things, or assign only specific readings. That being said, there is nothing graphic or offensive. In my experience, however, some young teens are just not ready for certain content. As always, this is only a personal recommendation.
This book is for you.
The ten decisions (and ten lies exposed!) are so straightforward that they totally change your thinking. It's blunt, clear, easy to read, and divided up into chunks that are easy to swallow (although I had no problem tearing through several chunks at a time because of how clear and understandable it is).
Here are 5 reasons why this is a great book for individuals and small groups:
It comes from someone who has not only counseled people with problems, but someone who has been through emotional and spiritual pain himself. He understands what you're thinking and feeling, and he has a way of writing it that everything makes sense.
It is extremely biblically founded. It's not just quoting a few verses and most of it psychology… It's all straight from God's word.
The new version has a workbook built right into it. There are journaling places, Bible verses to look up and relate back to the chapter, and exercises to complete (individually, or as a group, depending on your situation).
It can be used as a devotional, or as a small-group handbook, because everything in here will apply to every small or large problem you have.
I know this is really random, but there are decent sized margins and good space between the lines. This makes for good annotating and note taking. I don't know about you, but all my non-fiction books—especially God books—have writing all over them. It annoys me when I don't have space to write my thoughts in the book. There is space in this one.
All in all, I encourage you to grab this book. It's excellent and I love it, and have been using it for my personal Bible study.
Content/Recommendation: Some of the stories used for examples included in this book are about very…mature topics. I would recommend ages 14+, and if used for anyone younger than that, maybe a parent or small-group leader to guide the younger students and explain certain things, or assign only specific readings. That being said, there is nothing graphic or offensive. In my experience, however, some young teens are just not ready for certain content. As always, this is only a personal recommendation.
November 2, 2011
Healing Is A Choice by Steve Arterburn
Ten Decisions That Will Transform Your Life & ^en Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Copyright: 2005, 2011
After having listened to Steve Arterburn’s radio show, New Life Live, and hearing him talk about this book, I have been wanting to read it. So, when it was one of the choices of books to review, I jumped at the chance! As the title states, the author cites ten choices one can make to heal, whether emotionally, physically or spiritually, and ten lies Satan plants in our minds to make us think we can’t heal. He tells us the choice is God’s and He will equip us if we just trust Him to get us through our situation or the baggage of guilt, unforgiveness and/or shame that we have been carrying around for years. The workbook for this was included with the Kindle version, with corresponding workbook segments after each chapter.
Arterburn pulls no punches as he gives us suggestions and prodding – and gives us real-life examples of people who have faced the challenge of healing and succeeded or are at least on the right path to healing. It is to the point and written so the average person can understand. There were many places in the book where I found my own baggage and was forced to face some issues that I have had buried for years.
I will re-read this several times as I let each challenging point sink in and I work on my inner healing, too. That wasn’t my first thought when I began this book, but it is what I have come away with – a promise to myself. I highly recommend this to anyone who has experienced unforgiveness, emotional and/or physical abuse, and any other unresolved issues.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Ten Decisions That Will Transform Your Life & ^en Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Copyright: 2005, 2011
After having listened to Steve Arterburn’s radio show, New Life Live, and hearing him talk about this book, I have been wanting to read it. So, when it was one of the choices of books to review, I jumped at the chance! As the title states, the author cites ten choices one can make to heal, whether emotionally, physically or spiritually, and ten lies Satan plants in our minds to make us think we can’t heal. He tells us the choice is God’s and He will equip us if we just trust Him to get us through our situation or the baggage of guilt, unforgiveness and/or shame that we have been carrying around for years. The workbook for this was included with the Kindle version, with corresponding workbook segments after each chapter.
Arterburn pulls no punches as he gives us suggestions and prodding – and gives us real-life examples of people who have faced the challenge of healing and succeeded or are at least on the right path to healing. It is to the point and written so the average person can understand. There were many places in the book where I found my own baggage and was forced to face some issues that I have had buried for years.
I will re-read this several times as I let each challenging point sink in and I work on my inner healing, too. That wasn’t my first thought when I began this book, but it is what I have come away with – a promise to myself. I highly recommend this to anyone who has experienced unforgiveness, emotional and/or physical abuse, and any other unresolved issues.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
January 13, 2012
The latest edition of Healing is a Choice: 10 Decisions That Will Transform Your Life and 10 Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them is an excellent 10-step emotional healing program that has been revised to include a full workbook. It emphasizes that healing is a choice. First, it is God's choice. Second, it is the choice of the one needing to be healed. He reveals how emotionally injured people tend to hide away their hurting and hinder their own acceptance of God's healing.
The author, Stephen Arterburn, has an amazing style of writing for this type of book. He is not condescending at all. Rather, he reveals his own vulnerability and draws the reader in with a simple use of the English language. I nearly felt as if I was in a room being gently but firmly counseled by him. I found it to be very encouraging.
The author presents each of the ten steps as a choice to heal and to dispel myths along the way. Also emphasized is the need to make connections with other people while going through the healing process. He strongly suggests several times that having support is essential and the book is not a self-help program to do on one's own. As such, it is an excellent book for using in a small support group.
I was hoping this book would include more on physical healing, but it merely touched on the subject here and then more as a result of emotional healing, which does happen to some degree. On this issue I was a bit disappointed, but I plan to use this book in a woman's support group study that I hope to start this year.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The author, Stephen Arterburn, has an amazing style of writing for this type of book. He is not condescending at all. Rather, he reveals his own vulnerability and draws the reader in with a simple use of the English language. I nearly felt as if I was in a room being gently but firmly counseled by him. I found it to be very encouraging.
The author presents each of the ten steps as a choice to heal and to dispel myths along the way. Also emphasized is the need to make connections with other people while going through the healing process. He strongly suggests several times that having support is essential and the book is not a self-help program to do on one's own. As such, it is an excellent book for using in a small support group.
I was hoping this book would include more on physical healing, but it merely touched on the subject here and then more as a result of emotional healing, which does happen to some degree. On this issue I was a bit disappointed, but I plan to use this book in a woman's support group study that I hope to start this year.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
May 20, 2012
I first became acquainted with Stephen Arterburn when I reviewed his novella, The Encounter, back in January of this year (although I have since realized that I had read and greatly enjoyed the Sullivan Crisp series which he wrote with Nancy Rue).
Since then I have begun listening to his radio show, New Life Live, and have learned so much from him and his rotating co-hosts about how we function in relationships and how to seek recovery and reconciliation.
Right now, I am focused on myself and how I can find peace and joy despite my hurts, and that is why I am so thankful for this book, Healing Is a Choice. By the time I had gotten through the third chapter in the e-book I received, I had actually ordered a hard copy so that I could fill in my answers to the workbook, which is embedded with the original book in this version.
Each chapter addresses a specific choice that we must make if we truly desire healing, as well as showing us the corresponding lie that can keep us from reaching our goal. From the first chapter, The Choice to Connect Your Life, to the tenth, The Choice to Persevere, Stephen uses many examples and stories to illustrate his points, and invites the reader to spend time examining their heart and mind for what could be preventing them from moving forward. As he puts it,
"Healing is a choice. It is God’s choice, but there are choices that each of us must make if we are to experience whatever healing God has for us."
I highly recommend Healing Is a Choice to anyone who wants to start the process of letting go of their hurt and beginning to heal, and I am so thankful to Booksneeze for providing the opportunity to review this book.
Since then I have begun listening to his radio show, New Life Live, and have learned so much from him and his rotating co-hosts about how we function in relationships and how to seek recovery and reconciliation.
Right now, I am focused on myself and how I can find peace and joy despite my hurts, and that is why I am so thankful for this book, Healing Is a Choice. By the time I had gotten through the third chapter in the e-book I received, I had actually ordered a hard copy so that I could fill in my answers to the workbook, which is embedded with the original book in this version.
Each chapter addresses a specific choice that we must make if we truly desire healing, as well as showing us the corresponding lie that can keep us from reaching our goal. From the first chapter, The Choice to Connect Your Life, to the tenth, The Choice to Persevere, Stephen uses many examples and stories to illustrate his points, and invites the reader to spend time examining their heart and mind for what could be preventing them from moving forward. As he puts it,
"Healing is a choice. It is God’s choice, but there are choices that each of us must make if we are to experience whatever healing God has for us."
I highly recommend Healing Is a Choice to anyone who wants to start the process of letting go of their hurt and beginning to heal, and I am so thankful to Booksneeze for providing the opportunity to review this book.
August 19, 2015
In progress -
This is a very useful book for Christians who are struggling with some kind of wounds that need healing, like grief or abuse. To be appreciated the reader has to be at the point where they are ready to make some tough choices and help themselves get better. But once you reach this point you'll find practical guidance here on what to do next.
I especially like the lies that are given along with each choice. It can help to examine what we may be telling ourselves that isn't helping us, along with figuring out how to move forward. Also, you'll hear these lies from people who think they're helping you, so it's good to know what to look out for and have some ideas on how to deal with them.
The choices in the middle of the book are beginning to feel repetitious, but I can see that Arterburn is taking small steps to make it easier for someone to follow and actually act on these choices, rather than overwhelm the reader with giant steps that may feel impossible to take.
I've used the information in the first chapter to teach a couple of groups I'm part of, and it was very well received both times. I've also shared a copy of the book with someone I know who is working with an abused teenager, and they're finding the ideas useful, too. These are simple truths we need to be reminded of.
This is a very useful book for Christians who are struggling with some kind of wounds that need healing, like grief or abuse. To be appreciated the reader has to be at the point where they are ready to make some tough choices and help themselves get better. But once you reach this point you'll find practical guidance here on what to do next.
I especially like the lies that are given along with each choice. It can help to examine what we may be telling ourselves that isn't helping us, along with figuring out how to move forward. Also, you'll hear these lies from people who think they're helping you, so it's good to know what to look out for and have some ideas on how to deal with them.
The choices in the middle of the book are beginning to feel repetitious, but I can see that Arterburn is taking small steps to make it easier for someone to follow and actually act on these choices, rather than overwhelm the reader with giant steps that may feel impossible to take.
I've used the information in the first chapter to teach a couple of groups I'm part of, and it was very well received both times. I've also shared a copy of the book with someone I know who is working with an abused teenager, and they're finding the ideas useful, too. These are simple truths we need to be reminded of.
December 14, 2011
Healing is a Choice is about healing the hurts of our past and present thereby leading us into our futures stronger and better able to deal with the hurts that are inevitable. Ten choices are given to aid us on the path of healing as well as ten lies that are obstacles to our happiness. The workbook section gives questions for us to ponder that are also suitable for small group discussions.
I think that this is a very helpful book. I do not blindly accept guidance from anyone. I question everything and this book offered me plenty of opportunities for questioning. It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, which hurt can become when it has been a part of your life for so long. I argue an issue until I see a valid reason to accept the suggestions given. Mr. Arterburn gave me plenty to consider, such as moving forward involves risks. He lays down the challenge to risk hurt to find healing. His reasoning is sound and backed up by scripture. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling to let go of the past and hoping for a brighter future.
BookSneeze (http://BookSneeze®.com) has provided me with a complimentary copy of Healing is a Choice in exchange for a review. However, all reviews written by me are my honest opinion, regardless of compensation.
I think that this is a very helpful book. I do not blindly accept guidance from anyone. I question everything and this book offered me plenty of opportunities for questioning. It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, which hurt can become when it has been a part of your life for so long. I argue an issue until I see a valid reason to accept the suggestions given. Mr. Arterburn gave me plenty to consider, such as moving forward involves risks. He lays down the challenge to risk hurt to find healing. His reasoning is sound and backed up by scripture. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling to let go of the past and hoping for a brighter future.
BookSneeze (http://BookSneeze®.com) has provided me with a complimentary copy of Healing is a Choice in exchange for a review. However, all reviews written by me are my honest opinion, regardless of compensation.
November 23, 2011
Healing is a choice
Now including the full workbook, this combined release emphasizes the fact that we must choose to let the hurt go and let the healing begin.
The book asks the participant, "Do you want to be healed?" If the answer is yes, then ten choices are provided to make the path toward healing a restorative experience.
Arterburn tells the story from the fifth chapter of the book of John about Jesus healing a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. We think the strange part of the story is that before Jesus healed the man he asked him if he wanted to get well. The man had a choice to be healed or not. He may have wanted to remain unhealed so he could just lie around, or he may have grown accustomed to begging and knew begging was easier if he had a health problem. He may have used his illness to disconnect from the world and the other pressures of life. There are many reasons that he may not have wanted to be healed. So this is not a bizarre question.
Healing is a choice. If you are struggling or know someone who is--get this book and read it
Now including the full workbook, this combined release emphasizes the fact that we must choose to let the hurt go and let the healing begin.
The book asks the participant, "Do you want to be healed?" If the answer is yes, then ten choices are provided to make the path toward healing a restorative experience.
Arterburn tells the story from the fifth chapter of the book of John about Jesus healing a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. We think the strange part of the story is that before Jesus healed the man he asked him if he wanted to get well. The man had a choice to be healed or not. He may have wanted to remain unhealed so he could just lie around, or he may have grown accustomed to begging and knew begging was easier if he had a health problem. He may have used his illness to disconnect from the world and the other pressures of life. There are many reasons that he may not have wanted to be healed. So this is not a bizarre question.
Healing is a choice. If you are struggling or know someone who is--get this book and read it
March 23, 2016
Arterburn's heart is in the right place but he's not a writer. As such, I pulled what I thought was useful and threw aside the rest. I certainly related to his story of divorce and feeling the pain surrounding a wife wanting to leave you. He works through his spiritualized version of the twelve steps but doesn't say it. His stories of life change were sometimes disconnected and incomplete, which infers that he didn't have enough of the story to say how complete it was. I heard him speak for three weeks at Northview Church and he writes like he speaks, so there is a disconnect in his writing, a lack of completeness.
All to say though, his direction and push to choose healing and to take certain steps are right on. You can stay in your mess and hope things will be different. It is about turning it over to God to change and allow you to be changed.
All to say though, his direction and push to choose healing and to take certain steps are right on. You can stay in your mess and hope things will be different. It is about turning it over to God to change and allow you to be changed.
December 6, 2011
I enjoy reading Stephen Arterburn books. This is a good book for someome who is going through a very bad situation in their lives. Arterburn sets out 10 decisions you can make that will change your life. He also includes the 10 lies others or even ourselves tell us when dealing with the decision.
I have been through a divorce and a horrible car wreck that changed my life but I have been blessed to be able to mentally and emotionally heal from both events. I haven't found myself in the ruts some find themselves in. This book is directly applicable to people who can't get out of their ruts.
I have been through a divorce and a horrible car wreck that changed my life but I have been blessed to be able to mentally and emotionally heal from both events. I haven't found myself in the ruts some find themselves in. This book is directly applicable to people who can't get out of their ruts.
April 12, 2012
Wasn't sure there would be many take-aways, but found myself relating to the key points. Written in a man's voice (direct, brief) in easy to read chapters, he has a cut to the chase approach to talking about the ways we sabotage our healing progress. He doesn't dwell on sympathy for those who have experienced difficulties but rather has a get over it kind of philosophy. Move on. This would be particularly good for men since he talks about his own life quite a lot. Any one of these chapters could be made into a whole book on a given subject, so at best, this simply touches on important areas we need to consider for transformation.
October 22, 2008
What's amazing about this book is how internalizing and applying any of the steps towards healing has changed my life so drastically. I read the first 50 pages or so and actively worked through some of the steps. I set it down for months and when I came back and picked it up again I could see how some of the healing Arterburn refers to had happened organically for me without me even realizing it. Inspired me to keep moving forward with it even more! A wonderful book. Great tools!
July 16, 2012
This book was a gift from a life long friend, and one of those books that you read several times! Stephen Arterburn was one of the founders of Promise Keepers (Christian Men's Group) and I heard him speak at the Women of Faith Conference a few years ago in Florida......
Very interesting. Helps with moving forward, and clearly forgiving others, and myself as well!!! You will be blessed to read this! It has some sweet moments of humor, as well!!! Full of fundamental truths.
Very interesting. Helps with moving forward, and clearly forgiving others, and myself as well!!! You will be blessed to read this! It has some sweet moments of humor, as well!!! Full of fundamental truths.
August 31, 2014
The overarching organization of this book was good. He dealt with "10 lies" we tell ourselves that keep us from healing and moving on in a healthy way from whatever it is that has wounded us. There were some good thoughts, but as the book went on, I felt it was more about him. I know we all write from our own experiences, but I got weary of the tone of writing as I went on. I think it would be very helpful to a lot of people, though.
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