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Invisible Grief: An Honest Conversation on the Pain and Loss of Unrealized Hopes, Dreams, and Good Desires
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Published January 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 21, 2026
A deeply comforting read for anyone experiencing invisible grief, whether it be through infertility, broken dreams, unmet desires, or relational struggles. Full of biblical truth, personal stories, and practical encouragement, this book provides a compassionate companion in the journey of grief. For those feeling unseen or isolated in their sorrow, Hensley consistently points them to Christ for healing and hope.
What I appreciated most was how Hensley addressed common misconceptions about grief, such as the idea that "time heals all wounds." Instead, he emphasizes the importance of surrendering our grief to the Lord. One powerful quote that stood out to me was, “A wounded heart moves toward healing when it goes from ‘take this from me’ to ‘I give this to you.’”
This book isn’t full of empty platitudes; it’s grounded in biblical truth and practical advice that leads readers back to Jesus as our ultimate source of hope. Hensley’s frequent references to Spurgeon’s writings were especially balm-like for my soul.
However, there were a few elements I found challenging. For instance, he shared a quote from the author of The Message Bible, which I don’t personally like. Additionally, Hensley shares a story about a female student pastor. While I understand the context, it left me wondering about his views on women in pastoral roles. Despite these areas of potential disagreement, the overall message of the book is one of deep, genuine encouragement for those navigating invisible grief.
*I received a copy of this book for my honest thoughts.
What I appreciated most was how Hensley addressed common misconceptions about grief, such as the idea that "time heals all wounds." Instead, he emphasizes the importance of surrendering our grief to the Lord. One powerful quote that stood out to me was, “A wounded heart moves toward healing when it goes from ‘take this from me’ to ‘I give this to you.’”
This book isn’t full of empty platitudes; it’s grounded in biblical truth and practical advice that leads readers back to Jesus as our ultimate source of hope. Hensley’s frequent references to Spurgeon’s writings were especially balm-like for my soul.
However, there were a few elements I found challenging. For instance, he shared a quote from the author of The Message Bible, which I don’t personally like. Additionally, Hensley shares a story about a female student pastor. While I understand the context, it left me wondering about his views on women in pastoral roles. Despite these areas of potential disagreement, the overall message of the book is one of deep, genuine encouragement for those navigating invisible grief.
*I received a copy of this book for my honest thoughts.
January 23, 2026
This book is for anyone who lives with the pain of an unfulfilled deep longing. This may be the good desire for a spouse, a child, mental or physical wellness. There are so many things one can hope for and be left instead with mourning as these do not come to fruition. Author, Drew Hensley writes from a place of compassion, honesty and vulnerability.
I wish this amazing book had been available years ago when I began walking one of my hardest journeys. Invisible Grief perfectly put words to what has been often difficult to express and offers immense hope and comfort in the quiet suffering.
I wish this amazing book had been available years ago when I began walking one of my hardest journeys. Invisible Grief perfectly put words to what has been often difficult to express and offers immense hope and comfort in the quiet suffering.
January 21, 2026
Honest, heartfelt and hopeful
I truly appreciated this book and the author’s approach to a very sensitive and painful subject. Drew Hensley does a stellar job of connecting and relating to us as his readers. This book truly practices what it preaches in every sense of the word.
Drew draws from his own painful personal experiences with invisible grief in an engaging, compassionate and humble tone that is refreshingly free of glib cliches and the verbal cotton candy prevalent in many books out there.
As a linguist, I particularly appreciated the author’s contribution to the language of grief and loss. When unnamed concepts are put into words, they are given the credence and validation they so richly deserve. We no longer need to dismiss or minimize these very real and searing forms of grief.
Coming to grips with the reality of our grief is important. But, thankfully, this book doesn’t leave us stuck. The third and final part ushers us into a place of the both-and of both grief and joy. And we’re brought into the realm of hope through the healing balm of gospel community and of our ultimate Healer, Christ.
“In Christ you are healed. In Christ—come hell or high water, even if
your current circumstances never change—you are whole.
This isn’t a temporary wrap of gauze around the wound to
keep us moving forward, it’s the ultimate and final prognosis
declaring that not only does our grief have a timestamp,
absolute healing is ahead. And isn’t the very essence of
healing to take something broken and make it whole?”
If you’re currently suffering with unresolved and unnamed grief—get this book.
If you want to be there for a friend or loved one who is in that position—get this book.
You won’t be disappointed.
I truly appreciated this book and the author’s approach to a very sensitive and painful subject. Drew Hensley does a stellar job of connecting and relating to us as his readers. This book truly practices what it preaches in every sense of the word.
Drew draws from his own painful personal experiences with invisible grief in an engaging, compassionate and humble tone that is refreshingly free of glib cliches and the verbal cotton candy prevalent in many books out there.
As a linguist, I particularly appreciated the author’s contribution to the language of grief and loss. When unnamed concepts are put into words, they are given the credence and validation they so richly deserve. We no longer need to dismiss or minimize these very real and searing forms of grief.
Coming to grips with the reality of our grief is important. But, thankfully, this book doesn’t leave us stuck. The third and final part ushers us into a place of the both-and of both grief and joy. And we’re brought into the realm of hope through the healing balm of gospel community and of our ultimate Healer, Christ.
“In Christ you are healed. In Christ—come hell or high water, even if
your current circumstances never change—you are whole.
This isn’t a temporary wrap of gauze around the wound to
keep us moving forward, it’s the ultimate and final prognosis
declaring that not only does our grief have a timestamp,
absolute healing is ahead. And isn’t the very essence of
healing to take something broken and make it whole?”
If you’re currently suffering with unresolved and unnamed grief—get this book.
If you want to be there for a friend or loved one who is in that position—get this book.
You won’t be disappointed.
February 3, 2026
In Invisible Grief, Drew Hensley offers an honest and compassionate conversation about the pain and loss of unrealized hopes, dreams, and good desires. He writes with pastoral warmth and the wisdom of a trusted friend—someone who has walked this road before and knows the terrain of grief firsthand.
This book addresses an often-overlooked issue: unmet longings. For some, it is singleness or chronic illness. For Drew, it was infertility. He shares vulnerably about his struggles with drinking, depression, and a dark night of the soul—but he ultimately offers a pathway to hope in Christ.
Look to God
Hensley reminds readers that their true identity and worth are found in Christ, not in their circumstances. I was especially moved by his reflection that God does not work around pain and brokenness, but through it. This insight was key in helping me understand the invisible grief I have faced in my own life.
The book concludes by calling readers to move through their grief and forward in community, becoming conduits of grace. After reading this book, I am comforted by the fact that God sees my grief, knows it, and desires to comfort me in Christ. My eyes have been opened to better support others experiencing invisible grief—to grieve together and to look to God.
I received a media copy of Invisible Grief and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
This book addresses an often-overlooked issue: unmet longings. For some, it is singleness or chronic illness. For Drew, it was infertility. He shares vulnerably about his struggles with drinking, depression, and a dark night of the soul—but he ultimately offers a pathway to hope in Christ.
Look to God
Hensley reminds readers that their true identity and worth are found in Christ, not in their circumstances. I was especially moved by his reflection that God does not work around pain and brokenness, but through it. This insight was key in helping me understand the invisible grief I have faced in my own life.
The book concludes by calling readers to move through their grief and forward in community, becoming conduits of grace. After reading this book, I am comforted by the fact that God sees my grief, knows it, and desires to comfort me in Christ. My eyes have been opened to better support others experiencing invisible grief—to grieve together and to look to God.
I received a media copy of Invisible Grief and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
January 20, 2026
The book is honest, beautifully written, and an amazing resource for anyone willing to deal with their grief and "loss" whether it be infertility, loss of a lifetime dream, divorce, etc. it's written with compassion, authenticity and with direct experience that speaks straight to the heart and points to our Lord. Grief applies to obvious losses in life, but it's the unseen (invisible) grief that can perhaps be the most debilitating and no one else can "see" this type of grief. This book is encouraging and gives practical questions and challenges to address this type of grief. If you're hurting and want a deeper understanding of your grief, this is a great addition to facilitate working through this from a faith-based prospective. It's been a blessing to me and I plan to gift this to a few friends that I know have also walked through and are still walking through invisible grief.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
“Invisible Grief” by Drew Hensley focuses on a type of grief that often goes unseen by those around us despite the intensity in which it is experienced: grief and pain experienced in the face of unrealized hopes, lost dreams, and other unmet longings. This book shares not only from God’s Word but stories of others who are facing similar struggles.
Readers seeking a direct and explanatory approach to naming unseen grief will likely find this book helpful. I personally found the writing style challenging to connect with.
For example, the statement “Invisible grief doesn’t care about your fairy-tale delusions” stood out as a surprising way to engage readers living with “the pain and loss of unrealized hopes, dreams, and good desires.”
I don’t say this haphazardly, and I continued reading within the many chapters of the book to give it a chance. But while this directness may resonate with some, I longed for more space to sit with grief I have spent many seasons navigating, and I chose not to continue taking in the text more thoroughly. (This paragraph has been updated as comments on my review made me realize it was not clear how much time I spent with this book before sharing about it.)
Despite my overall experience of the book, the author does demonstrate deep concern and personal connection to this often-overlooked form of grief and offers direct, biblical guidance for those facing it.
Highlights:
“If we don’t learn to first sit with the pain, we will inevitably wear ourselves out.”
“It’s impossible to heal from what we’re not willing to face. We are only delaying, and in turn bottling up, more and more pain and suffering that God wants to actually hold with us as He cares for us.”
“In the ragged and raw moments of our daily lives, there is a truth that whispers through the chaos if we're quiet enough to hear it—God's grace is not just a nice idea, but our daily bread.”
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Readers seeking a direct and explanatory approach to naming unseen grief will likely find this book helpful. I personally found the writing style challenging to connect with.
For example, the statement “Invisible grief doesn’t care about your fairy-tale delusions” stood out as a surprising way to engage readers living with “the pain and loss of unrealized hopes, dreams, and good desires.”
I don’t say this haphazardly, and I continued reading within the many chapters of the book to give it a chance. But while this directness may resonate with some, I longed for more space to sit with grief I have spent many seasons navigating, and I chose not to continue taking in the text more thoroughly. (This paragraph has been updated as comments on my review made me realize it was not clear how much time I spent with this book before sharing about it.)
Despite my overall experience of the book, the author does demonstrate deep concern and personal connection to this often-overlooked form of grief and offers direct, biblical guidance for those facing it.
Highlights:
“If we don’t learn to first sit with the pain, we will inevitably wear ourselves out.”
“It’s impossible to heal from what we’re not willing to face. We are only delaying, and in turn bottling up, more and more pain and suffering that God wants to actually hold with us as He cares for us.”
“In the ragged and raw moments of our daily lives, there is a truth that whispers through the chaos if we're quiet enough to hear it—God's grace is not just a nice idea, but our daily bread.”
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
January 20, 2026
Invisible Grief is something I've walked with for years, but I couldn't find words for. This author does an amazing job of putting into words what I've been feeling and facing. Not only that, he doesn't offer quick fix instructions, but instead an invitation to slow down, to lament, and to move forward in a healthy way. I love the use of the Bible throughout the book along with so many REAL, heartfelt stories.
If you or someone you know has unrealized hopes, dreams, or good desires, definitely pick up this book. It's very honesty and very approachable. I found myself crying, laughing, and being deeply loved. I finally have language and I don't feel alone. God sees me, knows me, and loves me.
If you or someone you know has unrealized hopes, dreams, or good desires, definitely pick up this book. It's very honesty and very approachable. I found myself crying, laughing, and being deeply loved. I finally have language and I don't feel alone. God sees me, knows me, and loves me.
January 27, 2026
This is a beautifully written, raw personal account as well as a spiritual guide to dealing with the kind of grief that our society often fails to recognize - the grief that comes with unseen or abstract loss. Although the bibliosphere is full of books about traditional grief, this one is, to my knowledge, the first about the invisible grief described by Hensley. I foresee it being a manual for those dealing with the grief of lost hopes, desires, and dreams. Drew Hensley has created a healing guidebook with the gospel at its center, filling a need that many have and possibly can't even name. This will be an important book for therapists, counselors, and all of those who harbor the grief of unmet desires or un-named losses.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I LOVE the honesty and relatability that Drew Hensley writes with. He’s not writing with ideas or thoughts, but from lived experience along with pastoral care and deep wisdom. If you are walking through the grief that comes from unrealized hopes, dreams, and good desires and are tired of trying to find quick fixes or platitudes, this book is for you. It’s filled with heartfelt stories and connection and keeps bringing you back to a God who cares. Could not recommend more!
January 20, 2026
Highly recommend.
January 22, 2026
Excellent work by Drew putting language to something that we all experience but so few of us know how to discuss
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews