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From Grief to Grace
Grief touches all of our lives, but it does not have to paralyze us with fear or inaction. God allows suffering because He knows how powerful it can be to our spiritual lives and to helping us fully embrace His love and mercy. In this insightful and practical book, you'll learn how to live a life of redemptive suffering that will draw you through grief into a state of tenacity, meaning, holiness, and joy. Author Jeannie Ewing is no stranger to suffering. Her family has long struggled with bipolar disorder and depression, and her baby daughter was born with a rare genetic disorder that caused her bones to prematurely fuse together. Despite the many layers of sadness, loss, confusion, and anger, Jeannie responded to Gods calling and transformed her life into one with profound purpose and joy. Combining her training in psychology and counseling with real-life examples, Jeannie will show you that there is much life to be lived in the midst of loss, and that all things even the most painful life experiences are working together for a greater good. You'll also
207 pages, Paperback
Published May 17, 2016
12 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 11, 2016
In Jeannie Ewing’s book, “From Grief to Grace: The Journey From Tragedy to Triumph”, she shares her poignant struggle with suffering and grief, recounting the story of the birth of her daughter, Sarah, who was congenitally diagnosed with a rare genetic condition known as Apert Syndrome, which is characterized by facial abnormalities and fused fingers. Although Jeannie initially experienced heartbreak, loss, and anger with this situation, she responded with faith and obedience, surrendering herself to God’s will, opening up her heart to His graces, transcending the pain, and transforming her life into one of profound purpose and joy. This is a story not of defeat, but one of victory, which occurs, when a Christian embraces his/her cross. It is one of answering Christ’s call to become the mother of a special needs child and to carry out that call with deep love and joy.
While “From Grief to Grace” may sound strictly like a memoir, it is actually much more than that. Ewing describes her book as “a conglomeration of my life experience mingled with my understanding of human suffering, its meaning and purpose, and the spiritual, emotional, and physical implications of grieving.” She states that she simply desires to share a book on grief from a spiritual standpoint containing personal anecdotes to help others who are also experiencing grief. Ewing, who has a background in psychology and professional experience in counseling, has written the book to educate others on the meaning of grief, to help them learn how to differentiate between grief and depression, to assist them in handling grief on both psychological and spiritual levels, and to lift up their hearts in hope.
“From Grief to Grace: The Journey from Tragedy to Triumph” is an insightful, comprehensive guide to understanding grief and the spirituality associated with it. As a retired psychologist, I have read professional textbooks on the topic of grief, but have yet to find one comprehensible enough for the educated lay person to understand until now. From “Grief to Grace” is chock-full of meaningful examples and infused with spiritual richness. It is a compact, but complete guide to grief and suffering from a Catholic viewpoint. While there are only five chapters in the book, each one of them is extremely well-written and filled with useful and intriguing information that helps those who are suffering from the pain of grief – whether it be caused by the loss of a loved one through death or divorce; infertility, miscarriage, and abortion; addiction, or mental illness and chronic disease.
“From Grief to Grace: The Journey from Tragedy to Triumph” by Jeannie Ewing is a book that will help bring healing and hope to wounded hearts. It is a valuable tool for both lay people as well as professional counselors and spiritual directors who deal with those who are grieving.
While “From Grief to Grace” may sound strictly like a memoir, it is actually much more than that. Ewing describes her book as “a conglomeration of my life experience mingled with my understanding of human suffering, its meaning and purpose, and the spiritual, emotional, and physical implications of grieving.” She states that she simply desires to share a book on grief from a spiritual standpoint containing personal anecdotes to help others who are also experiencing grief. Ewing, who has a background in psychology and professional experience in counseling, has written the book to educate others on the meaning of grief, to help them learn how to differentiate between grief and depression, to assist them in handling grief on both psychological and spiritual levels, and to lift up their hearts in hope.
“From Grief to Grace: The Journey from Tragedy to Triumph” is an insightful, comprehensive guide to understanding grief and the spirituality associated with it. As a retired psychologist, I have read professional textbooks on the topic of grief, but have yet to find one comprehensible enough for the educated lay person to understand until now. From “Grief to Grace” is chock-full of meaningful examples and infused with spiritual richness. It is a compact, but complete guide to grief and suffering from a Catholic viewpoint. While there are only five chapters in the book, each one of them is extremely well-written and filled with useful and intriguing information that helps those who are suffering from the pain of grief – whether it be caused by the loss of a loved one through death or divorce; infertility, miscarriage, and abortion; addiction, or mental illness and chronic disease.
“From Grief to Grace: The Journey from Tragedy to Triumph” by Jeannie Ewing is a book that will help bring healing and hope to wounded hearts. It is a valuable tool for both lay people as well as professional counselors and spiritual directors who deal with those who are grieving.
March 5, 2016
This is an examination of grief and loss from a perspective of faith, specifically Catholic faith. Ewing draws heavily on her own experiences of loss, including the peaceful end of a grandfather at the end of a long life, a relative who died of the effects of drug addiction, and the birth of a daughter with a rare genetic disease.
Ewing writes intelligently and compassionately about grief, its manifestations, and what we can gain from engaging with our grief. She devotes a fair amount of attention to the fact that grief, real grief, can some from things others may not recognize as that level of loss: divorce, loss of a job, death of a pet, other things that those not experiencing them may regard more lightly. "At least no one died." Many challenges in life can cause real grief that we need to acknowledge and deal with.
She also discusses the differences between clinical depression (Major Depressive Disorder) and grief. It's important to get proper medical treatment for depression, which is in fact a physical illness of the brain. Grief is not, but rather an appropriate emotional response to major loss, but well-intentioned medical professionals and others may mistake it for depression and encourage depression-appropriate treatment.
I found this a rich and rewarding read, but it is closely grounded in Catholic belief, tradition, doctrine, and theology. For readers who are not Roman Catholic or Roman Catholic-adjacent in their beliefs, it may be less rewarding and helpful.
With that caveat, this is a very good book. Recommended.
Ewing writes intelligently and compassionately about grief, its manifestations, and what we can gain from engaging with our grief. She devotes a fair amount of attention to the fact that grief, real grief, can some from things others may not recognize as that level of loss: divorce, loss of a job, death of a pet, other things that those not experiencing them may regard more lightly. "At least no one died." Many challenges in life can cause real grief that we need to acknowledge and deal with.
She also discusses the differences between clinical depression (Major Depressive Disorder) and grief. It's important to get proper medical treatment for depression, which is in fact a physical illness of the brain. Grief is not, but rather an appropriate emotional response to major loss, but well-intentioned medical professionals and others may mistake it for depression and encourage depression-appropriate treatment.
I found this a rich and rewarding read, but it is closely grounded in Catholic belief, tradition, doctrine, and theology. For readers who are not Roman Catholic or Roman Catholic-adjacent in their beliefs, it may be less rewarding and helpful.
With that caveat, this is a very good book. Recommended.
July 11, 2017
This is a powerful and impactful book! Suffering is a part of nearly everyone’s journey, and to understand how God intends us to walk in suffering is truly important. The author does a really good job of sharing not only the struggles that she has faced, but also the graces that she has received through her relationship with God.
The book is personal and authentic. The author also walks through practical suggestions of ways of dealing with grief that can help someone walk through the difficult times of suffering that grief can bring with it.
Highly recommended for anyone experiencing grief or wanting to walk alongside a loved one who is.
The book is personal and authentic. The author also walks through practical suggestions of ways of dealing with grief that can help someone walk through the difficult times of suffering that grief can bring with it.
Highly recommended for anyone experiencing grief or wanting to walk alongside a loved one who is.
April 14, 2016
From Grief to Grace is a wonderful book that will bring you hope, and spiritually guide you through grief. Told through Jeannie's life story and personal knowledge, it uses the bible as reference and quotes numerous saints. From Grief to Grace explains how life can be lived in the midst of loss and change. It tells us how we need to embrace our crosses and live a prayerful life. Jeannie Ewing explains how our grief can help others, and how through grief we can grow in our relationship with Jesus and our Blessed Mother. Even if you aren't going through grief currently, this book will help prepare you for when you do. This book also helps you to understand what others are going through and how to help them. This would be a good book to share with others that are struggling in life.
January 29, 2025
Such a beautiful book. It felt like the author was sitting across from me with a cup of coffee in her hand as she poured out her wisdom to me. I think sometimes we can belittle our grief and suffering by saying, “others have it worse than I” and actually refuse and stifle a gift of suffering from God. Jeannie walks you through the natural expressions and feelings of grief, validates without condoning sinful behavior or thought, and points out how the various sacraments like the Holy Eucharist, Communion, and the Stations of the Cross with Mary, can and do give us the grace and strength to embrace and honestly learn to love our crosses. I highly recommend this book for anyone, even someone experiencing immense pain and feels isolated because, “no one understands me”. This is not a condescending or judgmental book, but one that truly meets you where you’re at in your journey of grief and/or healing.
July 30, 2019
I am a Christian not a Catholic. I only made it to page 20 when I decided this was too Catholic for me. I had trouble on the intro when she said “pray to Father Solanus Casey” my Bible says pray to God the Father in Jesus name. I also read most of chapter 5 where she says “mission follows pain” My Bible says Jesus came to give us abundant life and the mission is go into all the world and make disciples. It says we will have suffering but He will give us beauty for ashes, bind up the broken hearted, comfort for those who mourn, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. It also says He is near the broken hearted. Doesn’t say anything about “mission following pain”. Sorry this book is Catholic philosophy and not for me.
March 1, 2020
awful book it is hard to describe but the book was just bad... not engaging. Very preachy and poorly written half the book is the author paraphrasing other written works or quotes with little to no insight. over all skip this book
September 2, 2016
Grief to Grace is, how to take suffering and turn it into Joys. It is not easy but if you follow her simple and prayerful steps you will be able to take any grief no matter how challenging and turn it into Grace and Joys!
Seems crazy, grief is grief, you say, there is nothing good about it, then you are trapped in this world which is passing as we speak. In your suffering, lies your salvation and your salvation and joy starts here! Thus, you can be going through the greatest sufferings and still be the happiest or most joyful you have ever been, Jesus on the cross is a perfect examples of this. Jesus happiest and saddest moment was on the cross. Happiest for us because He was saving us, saddest because of all the sufferings, especially the sufferings of knowing not all of us would accept His salvation.
Seems crazy, grief is grief, you say, there is nothing good about it, then you are trapped in this world which is passing as we speak. In your suffering, lies your salvation and your salvation and joy starts here! Thus, you can be going through the greatest sufferings and still be the happiest or most joyful you have ever been, Jesus on the cross is a perfect examples of this. Jesus happiest and saddest moment was on the cross. Happiest for us because He was saving us, saddest because of all the sufferings, especially the sufferings of knowing not all of us would accept His salvation.
June 1, 2016
We all grieve in some way, because it’s a fallen world: we all need to cope with things not going according to plan, in ways both big and small. From Grief to Grace is a manual on how to navigate that pain, from simple disappointment to world-changing heartbreak. Ewing does not focus merely on death-related grief but on any kind of soul-pain that knocks us down to depths we’d much rather not visit. Instead of looking at grief as something to just “get through,” she gives us tools and the gift of her own personal experiences with grief, so that we can see our own suffering not as something to fear but as rungs on a ladder to God. How a book like this manages to be both practical and spiritually weighty is a testament to the author’s skill.
March 29, 2020
I loved this author’s voice- she’s a fantastic writer and the depth of her faith is so real. She seems to know herself, and describes the path of suffering in the Catholic faith beautifully.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews