Life's Healing Choices Revised and Updated: Freedom From Your Hurts, Hang-ups, and Habits

by John Baker, Rick Warren (Foreword)

With a foreword by Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life , this revised and updated edition will help you find true happiness—if you choose to accept it.

We’ve all been hurt by other people, we’ve hurt ourselves, and we’ve hurt others. And as a result, every single one of us ends up with some sort of hurt , hang-up , or habit . But the question we all face is, Where do we go from here?

Ten years after the original edition of Life’s Healing Choices , this newly revised edition contains updates to basic teaching principles—based on ten years’ experience—as well as new and contemporary testimonies. Using the Beatitudes of Jesus as a foundation, Rick Warren and John Baker, pastors at Saddleback Church, developed the eight choices shared in this book.

In addition to practical, encouraging biblical teaching, each chapter includes two real-life testimonies of men and women whose lives have been transformed by living out the eight choices in this book. Through making each of these choices, you too will find God’s pathway to wholeness, growth, spiritual maturity, happiness, and healing. You’ll find real answers, real hope, and a real future —one healing choice at a time.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Self Help, Spirituality, Faith, Inspirational

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

John Baker is the founder of Celebrate Recovery, a ministry born out of the heart of Saddleback Church.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Gabriel Wallis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've attended Celebrate Recovery for almost five years now, and I just finished reading "Life's Healing Choices" this year. It should have been one of those books I read when I started the program. It's a great book to use as a foundation for recovery from hurts, hang-ups, and habits. I really liked the testimonies at the end of each choice/chapter, which were the most encouraging part of the book for me. The thing is, you have to work the program. You can't just read a book on how it works or go to the meetings and expect to change. You have to work the program. And, I believe, you can't really change unless you know Jesus Christ as your personal savior. And the way to get to know Jesus Christ as your personal savior is to read the Bible. So, working the program offered in "Life's Healing Choices", reading the Bible, and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ would totally change the person you are... if you allow it to.

[Cori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friends, you'll be seeing a fair number of reviews from me in the near future on books in this vein. Our church is starting a "Celebrate Recovery" group, which I am SUPER stoked about. "Celebrate Recovery" is a faith based recovery group that targets everything from addictions to codependency to sexual abuse recovery to...you name it. The amazing thing about this group is the versatility. The principles are transferrable to any recovery situation I've encountered thus far. Check it out!

In regards to this book, I wish I'd read it when I first started getting involved in starting this program. Life's Healing Choices is awesome. It basically covers the workbooks in depth and expounds on the eight recovery principles. I particularly liked the recovery stories included at the end of each chapter. That said, because I didn't read this book right away, the material was pretty basic after working through the first three work books with a friend. I'd still highly recommend this read; the delivery is solid and the material is valuable.

I'd rate this book a PG due to the adult themes discussed.

[Kate Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good resource with practical applications to heal and grow from literally ANYTHING you could be going through. This book is so encouraging, but you have to put in the work.

“When I rely on God, my greatest weakness becomes God’s most powerful tool.” SO GOOD

[Jill Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. A life-changer. ♥️

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was asked to do this program at the church I wasent sure but I’m glad I did!! This book and program is so insightful and gives you the tools to make better steps towards a better cleaner life!! I highly recommend this book to anyone who has hurts or struggles in there lives!!

[Sandy Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been over 10 years since I worked through the 12 steps. This was a great refresher book from me. I don’t ever want to be back where I was before.

[Lea Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Community group read! It feels a little strange to “rate” this book on the same 5 star scale as my fun fictional books, but I’m giving it my best shot. Overall, great “self help” faith based book on the journey of healing. If you’re in a season of growth/change this book has incredible insight. It is wise to be in the right headspace for some of these chapters though because it can be very heavy. I definitely recommend doing this study with a group or close friend!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, I did not participate in a group while reading this book, as it is written to be experienced. However, the book itself still held solid truths and practical steps that I learned from and appreciated.

[Susan Naron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! Read it, and then live it!!!

[Talisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the most transformative book I've read. Respect to all paths of wisdom and understanding. This was my light and my consciousness shift.

[Kingslee]

Great discipleship tool to walk through with someone- read for CR resident community group and the questions provided (some from book and some from the team) helped processing. Thankful to have done this with the resident girls. I think it’s necessary to go through this book with a trusted friend for accountability, confession, and fellowship. Let us share in burdens and spur one another on! Let us boast in our weaknesses and celebrate as Christ’s power in made perfect in our weaknesses !!

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone who wants to find freedom, hope, and happiness from any hurt, hang-up or habit. Spelling the word RECOVERY in an acrostic format, Pastor John Baker shows how the Beatitudes give us 8 spiritual principles to mirror the secular 12 step approach. This book includes an explanation of what each of the principles mean in daily living, testimonies, and journal questions to write and share with an accountability partner. The 8 principles included in this book and which are the foundation of the Christ-centered recovery program "Celebrate Recovery" are: 1) Realize I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendencies to do the wrong things and that my life is unmanageable. 2) Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him and that He has the power to help me recover. 3) Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control. 4) Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. 5) Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. 6) Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others. 7) Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. 8) Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.

[Lonnie Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, John Baker, founded the successful Celebrate Recovery program (a Christian based 12-step program) based off of the 8 principles found in this book. These principles are gold nuggets mined from Jesus Christ’s ‘Sermon on Mount’ when He taught the multitudes about the Beatitudes. The simple truths shared coupled with the incredible testimonies of people having began their recovery journey will encourage and inspire you to not only trust God more, but to be willing to fully abandon yourself in Him. He is our Healer! He wants to free us from the hurts and pains in our life! He wants us to break those habits that are holding us back from our destiny! He wants us to experience real liberty that is found only in Him! If you are struggling with anything, I mean anything at all, big or small… Read This Book.

[Gabby Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not gonna lie I entered this book skeptical yet hopeful and I have come out with my hopes met! The Lord uses these choices to help you heal from your hurts habits and hangups slowly but surely. This book is all about surrender and allowing God to be in control of your life (he already is, I just tend to think I can control it more LOL) and the life change testimonies are POWERFUL. Many times there were tears shed at the beauty of redemption Jesus works in our lives. Everyone should read this and thoroughly work the steps!! (I’m not trying to fix you, but Jesus can heal you!!)

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've worked my way through this very serious book over the course of 2+ years (with long breaks inbetween) but it wasn't really what I was looking for. This book goes through the Celebrate Recovery's 8 recovery principles or choices. Theses steps reminded me of a Christian AA and most of the personal stories had to do with alcoholism, drugs or some other form of addition. (I like order and routines, maybe a bit OCD, but I do not have an additive personality) I'm certain this book would be helpful for someone going through addiction and self-distructive behaviors, it just wasn't what I needed in this stage of life. The 3 star rating is directly related to my own experience of the book and not the material/method in general.

Choice 1 - Admitting Need *the reality choice
Choice 2 - Getting Help * the hope choice
Choice 3 - Letting Go *the commitment choice
Choice 4 - Coming Clean *the housecleaning choice
Choice 5 - Making Changes *the transformation choice
Choice 6 - Repairing Relationships *the relationship choice
Choice 7 - Maintaining Momentum *the maintainance choice
Choice 8 - Recycling Pain *the sharing choice
*you can google the 8 principles for more details

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Life’s Healing Choices” by John Baker is the foundational text for Celebrate Recovery, offering a guiding light for individuals navigating the often tumultuous recovery journey. Far beyond addressing chemical dependencies, this book extends its compassionate hand to anyone grappling with life’s trials and tribulations.

Baker’s approach is refreshingly inclusive, acknowledging that the need for healing transcends specific circumstances. Whether one finds oneself in the role of victim or abuser, “Life’s Healing Choices” extends a lifeline, providing practical steps towards liberation from the shackles of past hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

What sets this book apart is its unwavering commitment to a Biblical perspective while simultaneously offering down-to-earth, common-sense solutions. It seamlessly marries spiritual principles with actionable guidance, making it accessible and relevant to readers from all walks of life.

As someone who has experienced their fair share of adversity, I wholeheartedly recommend “Life’s Healing Choices” to anyone who finds themselves battling against life’s storms. It is a beacon of hope, illuminating a path toward healing, redemption, and wholeness.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Do you think that sharing your story will have been worth it? It will far outlast anything you do in your career, anything you do in your hobby. We're talking eternal implications- getting people from darkness into light, from hell into heaven, from an eternity without God to an eternity with God. People will be thanking you the rest of eternity. There is nothing more significant in life." (I wish I could figure out the formatting of Goodreads)

I read this as part of a Church book study. I did it mainly to support others. Thus the 3 stars from me. It is a helpful book and Celebrate Recovery sounds like a great program and ministry. I have to say that there was not a lot of fluff here. It was fairly concise, and the testimony of real people added a great deal.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am on my second journey through this book as I help facilitate a small group of women on their spiritual journeys. This book is profoundly impactful. It is discipleship. It is encouragement. It is conviction. It creates community-building conversations. It is a gust of wind at your back when you find yourself weary. I am continuing to learn and be changed week after week as the Lord reveals new and deeper ways to trust Him through these healing choices.

[Vanessa Allbutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is some awesome stuff in this book, but I have a feeling it is only really effective if one puts in the hard yards, and that is very difficult to do alone. I suspect the course the book is based on, Celebrate Recovery, would be much more successful than simply reading the book, as it provides accountability and support and a shoulder to lean on. But having said that, it's a great resource with some very practical steps that can help me understand the road to recovery.

[Andrea Weickel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book! I took my time with it, working through the chapters and the application questions and assignments. I really enjoyed it and saw a lot changing in my life through reading this, especially my perspective on difficult circumstances. It also helped me to surrender control to God. I highly recommend to anyone, not just those on a healing journey! Life is hard, so everyone can benefit from this book!

[Noelle Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and would love to suggest it to others, but I wish it were a little less religious and perhaps more generic in terms of churches/support groups recommended. So many of the recommendations are spot-on and useful, but I fear most readers wouldn't be able to get past the proselytizing tone.

[Tom Greentree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a way of understanding the Celebrate Recovery program. It takes the standard 12 steps and collapses them into 8 Healing Choices (without taking away anything from the 12, from what I can see). I thought this book was good, and I really enjoyed the true stories (2 of them per chapter) which were featured throughout.

[Emma Orlando · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was for summer community group. I think it’s a helpful tool that I will circle back to in different seasons. Wasn’t extremely life changing in this current season, but I did wish I had it 4 years ago. Thankful for community group and being pushed to look at different ways people heal, and deal with hurts, habits, and hang ups.

[Ella Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

first book finished for the Fellowship residency! this was such a great read that I would recommend to everyone. so refreshing getting to process through hurts, habits, and hang ups with sweet community and learning how the Lord meets you in those places! I’ve loved getting to be apart of the Celebrate Recovery ministry and see the way God uses it to bring people closer to Him!

[Jed Densman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all Christians no matter the status of your walk or even if you have no walk. From non-believer to pastor, you will benefit from this book. Open your heart and let the Holy Spirit have control as you read.

[Magally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro puede marcar un antes y un después en la vida de cualquier persona que está buscando sanidad del alma, el libro nos lleva paso a paso basado en el Sermón del Monte a abrazar nuestra libertad y sanidad un día a la vez. No hay nada imposible para Dios, en él siempre hay esperanza.

[Matthew Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight choices for recovery. Recovery is often thought of as something for people with substance addictions but we all have something we are recovering from and these right choices are choices we all need to make.

[Luke Hanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so well done. One of the best Christian Living books I’ve ever read… though “engaged with” is more appropriate as it’s not meant to just be read. My eyes have been opened much more to my hurts, habits & hang-ups and how to take steps to recover from them.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had several friends go through the Celebrate Recovery program and experience great healing and change! While this isn’t the program in itself, this book is a great resource for anyone looking for healing from addictions and hangups of any kind or size.

[Jessica Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you read this, take the time to do the work too. The benefit will be in much more than simply reading the words.
The personal testimonies help all of the head knowledge move to heart knowledge and action.