Heart Made Whole: Turning Your Unhealed Pain into Your Greatest Strength

by Christa Black Gifford, Lisa Bevere (Foreword)

In Heart Made Whole , Christa Black Gifford shares her own stories of loss, betrayal, and personal tragedy, chronicling clear steps to redemption to help those in pain invite the true Healer into the tangled mess of their broken hearts. Gifford reminds readers that pain is not their enemy, however, unhealed pain can become their greatest foe if it's not taken to Jesus. Growing up as a preacher's kid, Gifford had been submerged in Christian culture for decades when she uncovered the truth--that there were broken parts of her heart that weren't on friendly terms with the God who lived inside. Through disappointments and traumas, she had learned to guard her heart from God, keeping her angry, entrapped, and disconnected. As struggles and hardships continued, she finally learned to run towards her relationship with God when things got hard, instead of running away from Him like she had in the past. The more that she did this--building her heart's capacity for intimacy and deep relationship--the more her heart began to heal from the inside-out. She teaches the reader to access the solution that's already living inside of them--the God who forever made their heart a home. When trials and tragedy hit our lives in a fallen world, our hearts can get smashed to bits, and we end up putting God on trial and blaming Him for the mess. But Christa helps readers understand that they don't have to live controlled by their circumstances--or angry with God. Instead, she provides powerful insight and practical steps to turn the painful fire that comes to destroy us into an unexpected friend that can produce our greatest healing. The condition of the heart determines the condition of life--and the heart can be bound up and healed, producing freedom and abundant life. With personal workbook sections for each chapter Christa helps readers experience steps to turn their pain into the healing and wholeness available to every believer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Faith, Christian Living, Spirituality, Self Help, Christian Non Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published June 7, 2016

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for review and publicity purposes. All opinions are my own.

I read God Loves Ugly after I came to terms with the fact that I had been sexually assaulted.
I read Heart Made Whole after I told my testimony and after God had already given me a dose of peace about it.

This is one of those books that within the first chapter, you know it's going to challenge you and your relationship with your heart. You know it's going to change the way you view pain, your monsters, and how you live your life. It's going to change the way you interact with God on a daily basis. It's going to change your relationships. It's going to change your worship.

Although I had a few breakthroughs regarding my assault such as learning that I had blamed myself, but not forgiven myself and that God did want to release me from the burdens that come after such a tragic event... God still had more healing in mind and more ways to grow our relationship together. This book was one of the ways God helped me. What He teaches others through Christa is SO important and so worth digging into, no matter how long or short it takes to get through this book. I did read it faster because I wanted to be able to review it before/during release week, but I know I'll go back and re-read it more in-depth.

Something I really dug was the Open Heart Surgery sections at the end of each chapter. It's like doing emotional and spiritual inventory of "What the heck is going on in my heart?" Through reading this book, I learned that I had built up walls and let my Guardian Heart take over. I shut people out, I already knew that, but I didn't realize how much I had pushed people away -- people who were my best friends!

I also like every part of this book so much that I found myself underlining SO many things, so many truths. I have those Papermate Flair pens (felt tip pens, basically). It looks like a bag of Skittles attacked the inside of my ARC! Anyway, Christa is such a talented writer and such a conduit for God to speak to people.

Ooh something that I ALMOST forgot... I have friends at church who say things like, "God is a gentleman." And Christa goes into the fact that God isn't going to force us to let Him in. Our free will is so that we make that conscious decision to chose Him.

There is more that I want to cover, but GO PICK UP THIS BOOK. There is so much that God wants to tell you and heal you. He wants to be close to you! He wants to imagine with you!

[Kailey-Michelle Veenstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, Powerful, transformational... like the most authentic and vulnerable counselling session where you trust the person sitting in front of you knows your pain intimately, can sit with you in it without judging or blaming and sees the person you are destined to become. You'll not only crave healing and freedom like never before, you'll know it's possible not only for yourself but for everyone else you know and love.

[Candice Van Der Westhuizen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have spent the last 4 years on a journey with God towards healing and wholeness in my life, after coming back to Him in late 2012. I was broken, addicted, hopeless, on 14 tablets a day for Bipolar Disorder 1 and the list goes on. It has been hard. I have asked Him and cried out to Him for the longest time that I would “Love Him with all of my heart, and that I would walk in His heartbeat”.

But the truth is, no matter how much I got involved at church, no matter how much I prayed or worshipped, no matter how much time I spent in prayer or reading the word, He felt distant, impersonal, and it just felt downright hard. I would have an encounter with Him, and live off of that high for a week or two until it would dissipate, and then the cycle of performance would start all over again, me being fully aware of this. Only God knows the amount of tears I cried, only He knows the pain I was carrying that I now know was my heart….I knew I carried deep sadness, I just never knew what it was!

This book has come at an absolute paramount time in my life and the words Christa has penned have given me the courage to face and admit the very thing I have been rejecting and running from all of my life without even realizing it….intimacy with Perfect Love. Love was perverted and distorted terribly for me from a very early age, and it just progressed in my life because I attracted my wounding and also made wrong choices.

This has been the hardest journey I have ever been on, really! But the best thing I have ever, EVER done for myself, my husband, my family and friends, my relationship with God and the best thing about this is, is that it is an ongoing thing, it is not once off. I can guarantee you, that when you read the pages of this book, it will feel like someone has written a book all about you and I was so able to relate to everything that Christa wrote because it feels like she is right in the room with you having a conversation while you read, its just awesome! This has been the most freeing experience of my life, and I truly believe that many, many hearts will be made whole by this book! I am beyond grateful for Christa’s vulnerability and honesty in her own process and having the courage to basically put hear own heart journey into a book, giving us tools on how to become whole, because it REALLY is possible, it REALLY is real and true! THANK YOU!!!

[Wyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for EVERYONE! As Christa relates in the book - everyone has experienced trauma in some way, whether it's something that happened to us, or something we didn't get that we needed. Christa is so vulnerable and transparent in her own journey. She uses stories from her own life to relate to her reader and provides practical tools to allow us to engage in our own healing. Her transparency opens the reader's heart to be open with themselves and begin to unpack their own trauma and accept that there is grace for this moment in our journey. She teaches us to love ourselves as we are created because we are not a mistake, and our thoughts, feelings, will and emotions are not a mistake. We are free to be, and free to feel, and free to heal. Happy reading, and happy wholeness!

[Maddie Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was emotional. It allowed me to realize a lot about the healing process, and it showed me how to deepen my relationship with God through it all. Christa had different insights to pain than I had read before, and she shared beautiful words about her relationship with God through her deepest struggles. I am still wrestling with some of the concepts, but I appreciate the spark that led to my Bible study and conversations with God. Christa is truly inspirational, and I'm so grateful for this book.

[Alicia Yong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you thought Christa Black had changed your heart and life with God Loves Ugly she trumps it with Heart Made Whole. Bring your tissues, journal, pen and highlighter and be ready to change your life. This book was incredible beyond words!

[MarieW · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Heart Made Whole” by Christa Black Gifford will change people’s life. I honestly did not think I would need this book, but I did. Some of the things Christa preaches about makes me think, makes me double check, and some things I do not fully agree with, but that is because we are different people. The thing that I do agree with whole heartedly is that people are walking around masking their hurt or ignoring it so that they can attempt to get by in life with the least amount of hurt and heartache they can. Those unhealed wounds can and will cause many problems in our lives and will hold us back from reaching our full potential. Throughout her book, Christa reveals to us that not only do the major traumatic events leave wounds that cause problems in our lives. “Each of us has an inner realm that either thrives or withers, depending on the tenants we allow to reside in them.” I did not realize how many wounds were unhealed in my heart and now I can see they are adding unnecessary hurt and struggle in my life. You are reminded to acknowledge your emotions and to try to find the root of what you are feeling by being honest with yourself and taking it to God. “No matter how tattered a heart becomes by the punches of life, Jesus has never encountered an impossible case.” In order to grow and make progress we have to acknowledge our feelings and beliefs, and we have to open our heart and allow God to take up every inch and heal us. Be ready for some hard truth and revelations about your heart. It is very difficult to open up those old wounds, but with God’s help, love, and grace and a few sob fests we make a step towards a heart made whole. Thank you Christa, for your beautiful words and passion for helping others have a heart made whole by Jesus!

[Channing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if there are enough words to express how amazing this book is. Christa is so bold to bring the issue of our unhealed and ignored pain to our attention. She has lovingly and gently reminded us that our hearts matter more than we realize. This book helped me to shift my focus- it really laid out a practical road map to heal from a life of self-hatred and shame and to walk toward wholeness and realizing my worth. This book is written like she is talking right to you, and it drips with the message of hope. After reading God Loves Ugly and following Christa and her story for the last year and a half, she is someone that I KNOW I can trust. You can trust her because she's lived through exactly what she writes about, and her testimony is undeniable. Her bravery and courage to talk about the real, deep, and painful topics has opened the door to a place where shame starts to disappear and we are able to walk toward Truth. She understands the beauty and delicate nature of each person's process and she has helped re-paint the picture of what relationship and connection look like so that we can all experience true Love.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to fully express how much I believe in the words printed on the pages of this book, and how much I feel every person on the planet needs this book, but especially those who are experiencing grief and loss. Christa Black Gifford gives a fresh, real, honest, yet encouraging perspective on how pain, grief, loss, trauma, and our worst inner "monsters" can be met with love and empowerment. Christa has been in the trenches, down in the middle of the mud. What Christa does in this book is meet the reader in the middle of their mud, sit next to them by way of her empathy and own muddy experiences, and share with them some of the most essential tools needed to move forward with patience for the self and love from a higher source. If you are on the fence about jumping in, I recommend (well, going ahead and buying it...but also) going to Christa's website and reading through some of her blogs, and checking out her podcast, here: http://christablack.com. I believe so much in this woman and what she has to share, and I hope you'll give yourself the gift of taking a chance on at least dipping your foot into the journey.

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has experienced a broken heart - whether through grief, loss, rejection, betrayal, abandonment, or shame - will be blessed by reading Heart Made Whole. Christa Black Gifford's vulnerability and authenticity comes alive through the pages. My copy of Heart Made Whole is highlighted, underlined, dog-eared, with notes in the margins, accompanied by pages and pages of journal entries where I have poured my heart out to Jesus. It's an incredible experience when you read a book and the author has described exactly what you have been feeling, but have been unable to say yourself. To trust and know that Christa Black Gifford has walked through her own experiences of grief, loss, and pain and has transformed that pain and used it to help others become whole and free gives me such incredible hope. Reading Heart Made Whole encouraged me to look at my own heart, to make peace with my pain, to take responsibility for what is in my own heart, and to move in to so many new places of healing. I am grateful that Christa Black Gifford had the courage to write Heart Made Whole and to travel this journey of healing - as a result, my life will never be the same as it was before.

[Erin Lisemby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has accelerated my understanding of God and relationship with Him as Father, Son & Holy Spirit. I don't have huge heart wounds that I have not dealt with, but this book helped me uncover small wounds from my childhood and different traumatic experiences throughout my life. Christa writes out practical ways to center in on your heart and give these wounds to Jesus, as if she is coaching you through the process. I can already see how these small steps I have taken have impacted my mood, actions, and reactions. I believe this book is great for any walk of life, whether you feel that your heart is broken or not.

[Pamela Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE should read this Book. We all have pain, secrets and burdens we're carrying, and we can be courageous enough to face them and take them to Our Daddy. Christa's voice is loving, yet bold and firm, as she shares through what she has faced, what she has learned in her journey, and how we too can be victors. She is a strong and a shining light. She knows heartache and pain of all pain, yet she is brave enough to speak to each of us, to help us. She is on a Mission from The Father and I thank God for her! Get the book people!

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, EVERYONE should read this book.
I started this a couple years ago with some friends but never finished it. It's totally a God-thing that led me to pick this up later when He knew I needed it. Christa speaks truth that is hard to hear, but is oh-so-important. I have not encountered such intensive trauma as she has, but my heart has experienced its own level of pain, just as we all have, and I developed many of the same behaviors as she did as a result. She speaks from experience and wants to direct others into a place of healing and does so in a loving, biblical way. The biggest things I needed to hear and took away from this are:

1. It is 100% okay to feel. Accept the emotions that you are dealing with that day- whether they are good or bad- and take them to God. Trust Him with your emotions--He gave you your emotions- don't stifle and hide them away from Him. Jesus is documented in scripture to have experienced so many of the feelings that we experience on a daily basis, because He was fully man, but He was able to remain fully connected to the Father in the midst of those emotions.

2. The left side of your brain is going to accept the experiences that your right-brain has as facts. So, in order to combat the feelings of rejection and unworthiness and pain that your right-brain has experience, you need to have a GREATER encounter with Jesus and press into Him often in order to establish the fact that He is good and present and faithful and loves and cares about you because you have experienced that to the highest degree.

[Rianna *Hermione* B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christa (author) does so much in so little time. This book has amazing imagery. She paints these beautiful images of her crystal cave with Jesus and your heart as a tall building. I love the analogies. She has dealt with loss of her baby, abuse, and the ugly side effects of a damaged heart. She guides you into your own secret, special place with Jesus, and tells you to be extremely honest. What is the root of these hurts? It's so raw, but so elegant simultaneously.

If you have ANY deep hurts, which by college age, there usually are, I recommend this. I would also rate this like age 14 and up because of serious content and the loss of her baby gets somewhat graphic.

[Emily Hoisington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heart Made Whole is Christian worship artist Christa Black Gifford ‘s memoir of sorts as she shares personal stories of tragedy and trial that forced herself to ask the question,
“Will I take my pain to Jesus or will I let my pain take me away from him?”

I liked this book….at first. Although a little more “heart heavy” if you will than most books I read, the author still shared scripture and biblical truths about how our unhealed pain will only make us grow bitter and calloused unless we take it to Jesus for healing.

However, as the book progressed Christa started suggesting strange tactics such as “talking to her heart” to see how her emotional well being was throughout the day. She also wrote about talking to Jesus during the night as if he was literally right there with her, going so far as to say they would play games together and stifle their laughter, trying not to wake up her sleeping husband. No mention was made that these were figments of her imagination, or even visions. She wrote about it as casually as if you would tell someone about talking with your best friend. These were definitely red flags, as well as her mention of Bill Johnson of Bethel church being her favorite speaker.

If you’re able to to “eat the watermelon and spit out the seeds”, then Heart made Whole may be a helpful resource to you if you have recently experienced a tragedy. The author writes with a compassion and understanding that stems from her own loss and pain.

However I think there are much better books out there that tackle this subject while also taking into account the biblical truth that “our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked” (Jer 17:9) and that we shouldn’t be looking inside of them to heal our pain, but to Jesus- the ultimate healer.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book turned my world upside down. Read it in 2016. Changed me forever. My faith has changed a lot since then, this book helped me ask questions and heal so much.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author talked about the many emotional traumas in her life, from the loss of her child all the way back to giggling girls in her childhood. Previously, she'd dealt with pain by ignoring it and hoping it'd go away. Recently, though, she's learned to acknowledge her pain, find the causes, and ask God to heal her, rather than attacking her emotions as shameful.

She grew up believing some wrong things, like that God's sovereignty meant that he wants and causes bad things to happen to us. Her theology has improved, but she's concluded that God has given up his sovereignty over our lives so that we can have free will. Thus God doesn't want anything bad to happen to us, but we come to harm because we live in a fallen world and people have free will. This God patiently waits, offering to comfort us and make the best out of our messes and victim-hood.

Yet the Bible is very clear that God is completely sovereign AND we have free will. That God is not the source of evil and does not rejoice in our pain, but he does allow some bad things to happen (and--mercifully--not others) within this fallen world. So I have a problem with the theology she teaches in this book even if it's a step closer to the truth for her. I also find no comfort in the thought that God's not in control, which is implied by her theology.

Some of her other beliefs were unclear. She either has regular, vivid visions or a very active imagination. Rather than thinking about how she's feeling, she'd ask, "Heart, how are you doing?" with the response being a vision. She described visions of Jesus cracking up jokes and playing patty-cake with her. Later, she stated that she feels using her imagination to spend time with Jesus is a good thing.

I'm glad that she's come to see God as loving and that the book has apparently helped people deal with past pain, but I generally found it confusing (with all the analogies and jumps around in time) and disappointing in terms of theology.

I received this book as a review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

[Shandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an incredible tool, walking you through our hearts journey. We often go through things in life, beyond our control, and we may think we have dealt with those things by "pushing them down", by "forgetting they happened and moved on", but often those pains are set deep in our hearts and we need the incredible Creator God, to begin to help us see those things and begin to live the life we were meant and created to live. This book takes you on a journey through Christa Black Gifford's pain, trauma and the keys God gave her and the insights through counselors that helped her get to a place of accepting what is going on in her heart and than taking it to Jesus and letting Him heal, mend, and restore. We have all had things in our lives that have caused us pain, and we often live in shame, fear, discouragement, hopelessness and repeat patterns over and over again, because the roots to those actions, behaviours, occurred at some point and they were never really dealt with. Be ready to look deep inside your heart (with Holy Spirit's help), and ask some really hard questions and begin to listen to your heart's language, and live how we were meant to live. Heart Whole!!!!

[Kallayah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AMAZING! Throughout the last decade or so, I've read dozens of books that cover the topic of healing. However, as good as some of those were, there was always something missing and I would go right back to wherever I was before reading them. This one, though, is different in the best way possible. Christa is completely vulnerable and honest, and because of her choosing to take what she has and be brave enough to let God use it, so many people are going to find lasting healing. I've not had this book for longer than about 2 weeks, and it's changing the way I see so many things in my life. It really is transformational to the core, so much so, I know I'll never be the same. One thing I love most, is that this book has a domino effect; as the people who read this experience breakthrough, it's going to pour on everyone around them. So grateful to have found this when I did; God is going to use this book to save lives, marriages, and so much more. So excited to watch the unfolding!

[Blanche · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERY. Person. will get something from this book. I have been through my fair share of healing ministries and books and this one may be a favorite. Christa, on top of being a champion writer, is gifted in being able to communicate what God has revealed to her in the deepest places. The raw vulnerability in these pages will leave you weeping, laughing and encouraged to press into your own heart. There has been a huge amount of healing in my own heart and I'm so thankful for Christa's obedience in writing this novel. Again, every person would be benefited in reading this. There are questions at the end of the chapter to help with processing what God is telling you, this would even be an excellent book study for a small group!

[Sara Terrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone that has had a broken heart - which, of course, means everyone needs to read this book! Christa speaks life to the broken places of our hearts, having walked the path of loss, shame, betrayal, and woundedness with her readers, sharing God's desire for all of us to walk in love with Him. But it's not just a book of stories; guiding questions that follow each chapter allow readers to really delve into the brokenness, taking as long or as little time needed to heal. I've spent countless years trying to fix the broken, crazy, 'unfixable' parts of me, and this book has reached the places in my heart that no other book, speaker, or church could. I cannot recommend this book enough.

[krb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a heart changer! Christa Black Gifford did a great job weaving her personal experience with practical advice regarding emotional health and healing one's heart. She does not overwhelm the reader with Christian rhetoric but presents a balanced view and shares the realness of who Jesus is. While reading, one can't help but yearn for the freedom that can be found in a surrendered heart. Christa shares who Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are without making them spooky. She shares the beauty of the Trinity and challenges the reader to embrace that beauty. I love this book and will read it again. And probably again. Maybe even another time, until I can get this heart whole! Thank you, Christa, for sharing your heart to help heal the hearts of others. You are loved!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so grateful this book came my way, and grateful for Christa's courage to share her most raw and vulnerable life experiences as a way of gently inviting others to walk the tightrope toward inner healing. Her writing is relatable, real, and sincere. This book isn't about Christa seeking attention or applause or a pedestal. This is the voice of a friend saying "Pain is real, but so is healing. I'm living proof." I highly recommend this book to anyone wrestling with grief, identity, past pain, present pain, broken relationships, questions about faith, recovery, addiction, loneliness, depression, anxiety, or just the human condition. The heart is the center of life, and this book will touch your heart -- no matter the condition it's in.

[Sheila Millinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a POWERFUL read. You will dig deep and experience life changing encounters with God. Christa teaches you how to connect with your heart in deep ways that bring healing. I have to say every single page in this book is written on, highlighted and tagged. I have personally rediscovered my heart and I am learning to trust it and not fear it. Each page is emotional and confronting but brings healing. This book is not for anyone who doesn't want change. I had been running from myself for so long then Christa's book is teaching me to run towards and not away. I couldn't be more thankful for this book coming into my life just when I needed it. EVERY Christian should read this book.

[Michelle McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book Heart Made Whole is a really amazing Book.
Christa has written this with such real and raw honesty, sharing many experiences that she has had in her life, of pain, loss, rejection and struggles. It is one of those books that you can't read through quickly, but one that you read slowly and process the many things that God speaks to you through it.
This book has caused me and many others to step into a healing and freedom that I didn't know was possible, before reading this book.
I would recommend anyone who wants more freedom and healing in their heart and life to read this book. You won't be disappointed if you do.

[Corrina Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been on a lifelong journey to be healed from wounds that dug deep in my earliest years. A few books have been transformational in my healing. Heart Made Whole is one of those books! It is more than just words on a page. It is based on the living and active word of God so it is living and active. The words have broke through my disillusioned thinking, changed my perspective, and spread a healing balm on my wounds. I am so grateful for Christa's journey and her sharing so that she can breathe new life and healing on those of us on the journey alongside her.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all long to live a whole life: to be present, enjoy all the gifts and beauty this world has to offer, but every person experiences hard times, pain, suffering. Christa illuminates a pathway to her readers to show us all how to be fully present even when one is bombarded with trials. Beyond just information, she has a story to tell. Her honesty in the midst of pain is truly a gift to us as readers. Do your heart a huge favor and read this book!

[Dani Stroda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart Made Whole is a must-read for every Believer! Christa's vulnerable writing and profound revelation create an atmosphere for God to work in any heart that is open. I have found a new level of wholeness and freedom in my life through reading this book and applying the "Open Heart Surgery" action points. If you are ready to experience the Lord's kindness and love and to experience freedom from past wounds and trauma, I highly recommend purchasing Heart Made Whole today!

[Leigh Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christa's words are HEALING to the soul...this book, and the wisdom within...is changing my life. I have a shifted my perspective on how I treat myself and how I need to take care of myself and be KIND hearted to me first...then allow that to overflow. Such a great book. Christa is knowledgeable and connects dots. Highly recommend!