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Blessed Are the Misfits: Great News for Believers who are Introverts, Spiritual Strugglers, or Just Feel Like They're Missing Something
Warning: If modern church culture makes perfect sense to you, and you always fit in seamlessly, don’t read this. As for the rest of us…
While American church culture (and American culture at large) seems largely designed for the extroverted, it’s estimated that half of the American population is introverted, and they’re often left wondering how, even if, they fit in the kingdom of God. As one of them, popular radio host Brant Hansen brings news. It’s wonderful, refreshing, and never-been-said-this-way-before good news.
In his unique style, Hansen looks to answer questions that millions of people carry with them each day:
If I don’t relate to God as emotionally as others do, is something wrong with me?
How does one approach God, and approach faith, when devoid of the “good feelings” that seem to drive so much of evangelical church culture?
How does God interact with those who seem spiritually numb?
Is the absence of faith-based emotion a sign of that God has moved on or was never there?
What if we aren’t good at talking to people about our faith, or good at talking to people at all?
What if I’m told I’m too analytical, that I “think too much”?
Where does a person who suffers from depression fit in the kingdom? Is depression a sure sign of a lack of faith?
This book is good news for people who are desperately looking for it. (And for their loved ones!)
It’s also for those who want to believe in Jesus, but inwardly fear that they don’t belong, worry that don’t have the requisite emotion-based relationship with God, and are starving for good news.
Blessed Are the Misfits is going to generate discussion, and lots of it. It’s simultaneously highly provocative and humbly personal. It’s also leavened with a distinct, dry, self-effacing humor that is a hallmark of Hansen’s on-air, writing, and public speaking style.
While American church culture (and American culture at large) seems largely designed for the extroverted, it’s estimated that half of the American population is introverted, and they’re often left wondering how, even if, they fit in the kingdom of God. As one of them, popular radio host Brant Hansen brings news. It’s wonderful, refreshing, and never-been-said-this-way-before good news.
In his unique style, Hansen looks to answer questions that millions of people carry with them each day:
If I don’t relate to God as emotionally as others do, is something wrong with me?
How does one approach God, and approach faith, when devoid of the “good feelings” that seem to drive so much of evangelical church culture?
How does God interact with those who seem spiritually numb?
Is the absence of faith-based emotion a sign of that God has moved on or was never there?
What if we aren’t good at talking to people about our faith, or good at talking to people at all?
What if I’m told I’m too analytical, that I “think too much”?
Where does a person who suffers from depression fit in the kingdom? Is depression a sure sign of a lack of faith?
This book is good news for people who are desperately looking for it. (And for their loved ones!)
It’s also for those who want to believe in Jesus, but inwardly fear that they don’t belong, worry that don’t have the requisite emotion-based relationship with God, and are starving for good news.
Blessed Are the Misfits is going to generate discussion, and lots of it. It’s simultaneously highly provocative and humbly personal. It’s also leavened with a distinct, dry, self-effacing humor that is a hallmark of Hansen’s on-air, writing, and public speaking style.
256 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2017
424 people are currently reading
3855 people want to read
About the author
Brant Hansen
13 books555 followersBrant Hansen is a radio host who has won multiple National Personality of the Year awards. He also works with CURE International, a worldwide network of hospitals that brings life-changing medical care and the good news of God’s love to children with treatable conditions. Brant currently lives in Northern California with his wife, Carolyn; his son, Justice; and his daughter, Julia. He can be found at branthansen.com and @branthansen on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 473 reviews
July 19, 2023
Simple encouragement for those who lack social skills or struggle to read people. Hansen has Aspergers, and he speaks about his own difficulties throughout the book. I think he comes from a Pentecostal or a charismatic church background, which I can only imagine increased his discomfort.
Hansen recognizes that not all Christians will have a dramatic conversion experience, and not all people will demonstrate extroverted, outward, emotional encounters with the Holy Spirit. He contradicts common charismatic assumptions, such as God speaking to people audibly or personally. I liked his focus on scripture, and his emphasis on living together in Christian community rather than constantly evangelizing to unbelievers. Hansen needs to come to the Lutheran camp, as he was just shy of ideas like and the doctrine of vocation.
Quotes:
"Our feelings have nothing to do with whether God loves us or is still involved in our lives."
YES. THIS.
"I wonder too if introverts in particular might be too perfectionistic about these relationships. We want it to be more than it can ever live up to being, so we’re that much more disappointed."
Ouch. That hits a little too close.
Hansen recognizes that not all Christians will have a dramatic conversion experience, and not all people will demonstrate extroverted, outward, emotional encounters with the Holy Spirit. He contradicts common charismatic assumptions, such as God speaking to people audibly or personally. I liked his focus on scripture, and his emphasis on living together in Christian community rather than constantly evangelizing to unbelievers. Hansen needs to come to the Lutheran camp, as he was just shy of ideas like and the doctrine of vocation.
Quotes:
"Our feelings have nothing to do with whether God loves us or is still involved in our lives."
YES. THIS.
"I wonder too if introverts in particular might be too perfectionistic about these relationships. We want it to be more than it can ever live up to being, so we’re that much more disappointed."
Ouch. That hits a little too close.
September 2, 2017
Some Christians can go through life with all the rituals and constructs with no question or pause. Then there are the rest of us who do not always feel as if we belong. We notice the assumptions and quirks.
This book offered a voice that echoes with my own in many ways. It was refreshing to read and find out I am not alone in occasionally feeling like an outcast or misfit.
A lovely and well-written book about the "rest of us."
This book offered a voice that echoes with my own in many ways. It was refreshing to read and find out I am not alone in occasionally feeling like an outcast or misfit.
A lovely and well-written book about the "rest of us."
September 16, 2017
Reviewed at my blog: Babbling Books
I didn’t know anything about the author, Brant Hansen, before choosing this book to read. I found out through reading it that the author is speaking from many of the perspective’s he’s writing to, he’s a misfit just like us. Dealing with Asperger’s syndrome, nystagmus and being an introvert, he’s able to come alongside the misfit believers and talk to us in a way others cannot. It was clear from the title that the misfits were meant to represent those who struggled to feel that they were connecting with God spiritually. They didn’t understand emotional worship, they thought they were missing something when they saw other believers who seemed to “have it” and they didn’t get why they were so introverted in their faith when others weren’t. This was the beauty of the “misfit” Hansen was appealing to. I’ve never read a book that honestly sought after these people, my people, me. And so that’s why I gave the book five stars is because the author really manages to get after and talk to these people in the kingdom of God. He laughs with us and teaches us at the same time.
Alive with laughter, practical biblical knowledge and warm friendship from someone who understands the struggle, Hanson is able to capture the unique beauty and grace of being a misfit. He illustrates God’s love for the marginalized through Jesus, the radical and uncommon nature of Christ’s choosing the unknown and unlikely people and how in most cases God did not look for the people everyone expected, but chose the people no one wanted. His stories are immensely relatable, things those of us on the outside, the questioners and seekers have all wondered if others felt but never dared to reveal ourselves. His assurances that emotions are not the end all is a refresher to the push of culture today and he breathes new life into the idea that being awkward, introverted and a struggler are not the worst things in the world to be. Sometimes these things are what draw you closer to the arms of the Father. One of the many quotes I highlighted in this book was the one below and I love it because it reminds me of a truth I’ve known but never been able to express. The truth that there is more and sometimes, when you’re a misfit, you know it and you seek it from God all the time and when others don’t it makes you feel like you’re wrong, but Hansen is here to tell us that maybe that’s just not the case.
*I received an e-ARC of this book through NetGalley from Thomas Nelson-W Publishing in exchange for an honest review*
“Pretty sure I’ll be seated at the misfits’ table. Pretty sure there won’t be any non-misfit tables, now that I think about it.”I was having a low point when I decided to click “Read Now” on this book on NetGalley, and I’m glad I did. You know those books that make you feel like someone has reached deep into that lonely, aching place of your heart and given it that extra special squeeze it so desperately needed, well, this is one of those books.
I didn’t know anything about the author, Brant Hansen, before choosing this book to read. I found out through reading it that the author is speaking from many of the perspective’s he’s writing to, he’s a misfit just like us. Dealing with Asperger’s syndrome, nystagmus and being an introvert, he’s able to come alongside the misfit believers and talk to us in a way others cannot. It was clear from the title that the misfits were meant to represent those who struggled to feel that they were connecting with God spiritually. They didn’t understand emotional worship, they thought they were missing something when they saw other believers who seemed to “have it” and they didn’t get why they were so introverted in their faith when others weren’t. This was the beauty of the “misfit” Hansen was appealing to. I’ve never read a book that honestly sought after these people, my people, me. And so that’s why I gave the book five stars is because the author really manages to get after and talk to these people in the kingdom of God. He laughs with us and teaches us at the same time.
Alive with laughter, practical biblical knowledge and warm friendship from someone who understands the struggle, Hanson is able to capture the unique beauty and grace of being a misfit. He illustrates God’s love for the marginalized through Jesus, the radical and uncommon nature of Christ’s choosing the unknown and unlikely people and how in most cases God did not look for the people everyone expected, but chose the people no one wanted. His stories are immensely relatable, things those of us on the outside, the questioners and seekers have all wondered if others felt but never dared to reveal ourselves. His assurances that emotions are not the end all is a refresher to the push of culture today and he breathes new life into the idea that being awkward, introverted and a struggler are not the worst things in the world to be. Sometimes these things are what draw you closer to the arms of the Father. One of the many quotes I highlighted in this book was the one below and I love it because it reminds me of a truth I’ve known but never been able to express. The truth that there is more and sometimes, when you’re a misfit, you know it and you seek it from God all the time and when others don’t it makes you feel like you’re wrong, but Hansen is here to tell us that maybe that’s just not the case.
“Lovers yearn, but religious people don’t. Religious people have their rules, and they have them in full. There’s nothing to yearn for. But God calls us to relationship, and that means yearning.”The writing style of this book is unique. Honestly the best way I can describe it is like sitting down to have a conversation with a friend and just letting the conversation go where it goes because sometimes that’s just how it feels, like talking to a friend. Hansen can be a little jumpy in his writing and some of his stories seemed out of place for the narrative, but these are nitpicks to the overall wonderful message he was able to get across with this book. While I can disagree with him that God has favorites and I agree that God is a healer but sometimes, because of the fallen nature of man, not everyone will be healed, I can’t explain enough how wonderful it is to read a book that really resonates with me. Right now, so many Christian books are about watered down gospel and watered down struggle. But this author is willing to tackle the real struggles while still staying true to the God of Scripture. A humble thank you to him for this book, for his honesty in writing it, and his wisdom in sharing it. I’ll leave this review with one last quote, and it’s another really good one. Being a misfit means you’re often left out and kept out, but so was Jesus and you know what, that didn’t stop Him from loving the world anyway. Hansen writes in his book about this great love for the marginalized and how we as misfits need to remember that Christ was a great misfit too. He died for everyone, the misfits and the non-misfits, so that they may know eternal life,
So, in sum:
1. Humans make no sense. 2. Love them anyway.
*I received an e-ARC of this book through NetGalley from Thomas Nelson-W Publishing in exchange for an honest review*
March 28, 2025
It is unfair to only rate this book 5 stars. It should easily be 10+ stars.
Every time I think I’ve read one of my favorite books from Brant, I read another and love it more. Each one ministers to me in such a huge way. But this one even more so…
Like Brant, my story is one of always feeling like a misfit. Like everyone else was close to Christ but I wasn’t because I didn’t have the feelings. They seemed so emotional. And I wasn’t.
Do you know the comfort you can draw just by knowing you’re not alone? It’s monumental. I’m so very thankful that Brant isn’t afraid to say the things we are all struggling with. I come away from this book with this confidence:
He is the God who sees me.
Where else would I go? Jesus has the words of life.
Thank you, Brant Hansen. I would hug your neck but I’m sure that’s out of your comfort zone. ❤️
Every time I think I’ve read one of my favorite books from Brant, I read another and love it more. Each one ministers to me in such a huge way. But this one even more so…
Like Brant, my story is one of always feeling like a misfit. Like everyone else was close to Christ but I wasn’t because I didn’t have the feelings. They seemed so emotional. And I wasn’t.
Do you know the comfort you can draw just by knowing you’re not alone? It’s monumental. I’m so very thankful that Brant isn’t afraid to say the things we are all struggling with. I come away from this book with this confidence:
He is the God who sees me.
Where else would I go? Jesus has the words of life.
Thank you, Brant Hansen. I would hug your neck but I’m sure that’s out of your comfort zone. ❤️
September 27, 2017
This book is...hard to describe. Funny, honest, heart-breaking, and hopeful. Profoundly awkward and utterly profound. If you don't "get" modern, western church or Christianity, but you still want to follow Jesus, this book is a good place to start.
FYI: I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
FYI: I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2019
Oh my word. I listened to this on audiobook. This is one of the most down-to-earth and truly refreshing Christian Life books I've ever read. Brant breaks down what it is to be a follower of Christ in a way I've simply never heard, and I'm not sure why. So much of this book struck a chord with me and rang true. We should be hearing more of this from pulpits. It's also a really entertaining read, and had me laughing out loud at several points. Get the audiobook if you can because it's read by the author. I like books read by the author because I can hear their pronunciations and intonations come out, but since this one's a radio host, he has the skill to do it well, too.
May 18, 2020
This book was so, so much more than I was expecting. One of the most deeply relatable pieces of non-fiction I've ever read that also managed to be spiritually enriching.
March 19, 2024
So enjoyed this I listened twice, it resonated with me and Brant writes in such an accessible way which I really liked.
Helpful thoughts on our feelings, relating to this who are autistic or introverted and some good stuff on prayer too.
Helpful thoughts on our feelings, relating to this who are autistic or introverted and some good stuff on prayer too.
February 8, 2018
I read this book because my sister asked me to. Which makes sense, because I'm a misfit, an introvert, AND a spiritual struggler, which is probably why I came to mind. Possibly it's also because the author and I share the same rare-ish visual impairment, nystagmus. I've always got time for someone who understands what it's like to be me on that score, and I love my sister, so, okay.
This book is intended for believing Christians who feel like they're doing something wrong because they don't "feel" the presence of God. Hansen's main argument is that there are a lot of different ways to experience God, and as long as the ones you're having line up with what's spelled out in the Bible, you're fine. He's also worried about a church that glorifies the worldly and wealthy while its nominal leader asks for focus on the poor and outcast. But mostly he's writing for people who don't feel like they belong in their Christian communities, for whatever reason; the non-faithful are not addressed, though if Hansen wrote a book about that, I'd probably read it, too.
Hansen is a popular Christian radio host who also sounds like a fun guy to sit and talk to. I like his storytelling style, and I get the sense that -- unlike a lot of Christian personalities -- he would be just fine sitting down with somebody like me and talking about God (a thing some of us non-Christians actually like to do, believe it or not). If you feel like you're just not doing Christianity "right," you'll find this book very comforting, so this might be a good book to have on hand if you know you serve a community of the faithful, and one of your regular patrons seems sad, or is going through a rough time. Pastors might want to recommend it for the same reason.
This is an optional purchase for most libraries, but given my particular philosophy of libsci -- we, too, are here to serve the misfits and the strugglers -- I would err on the side of inclusion, especially if you work in a large institution that sees a great deal of struggle and sorrow on the daily. I haven't set foot in a church for decades, and I don't plan on going back, but I can't say I wouldn't listen to Hansen's radio show just once, for science. Recommended for the servant librarians, who care more about people than about being a "rockstar."
This book is intended for believing Christians who feel like they're doing something wrong because they don't "feel" the presence of God. Hansen's main argument is that there are a lot of different ways to experience God, and as long as the ones you're having line up with what's spelled out in the Bible, you're fine. He's also worried about a church that glorifies the worldly and wealthy while its nominal leader asks for focus on the poor and outcast. But mostly he's writing for people who don't feel like they belong in their Christian communities, for whatever reason; the non-faithful are not addressed, though if Hansen wrote a book about that, I'd probably read it, too.
Hansen is a popular Christian radio host who also sounds like a fun guy to sit and talk to. I like his storytelling style, and I get the sense that -- unlike a lot of Christian personalities -- he would be just fine sitting down with somebody like me and talking about God (a thing some of us non-Christians actually like to do, believe it or not). If you feel like you're just not doing Christianity "right," you'll find this book very comforting, so this might be a good book to have on hand if you know you serve a community of the faithful, and one of your regular patrons seems sad, or is going through a rough time. Pastors might want to recommend it for the same reason.
This is an optional purchase for most libraries, but given my particular philosophy of libsci -- we, too, are here to serve the misfits and the strugglers -- I would err on the side of inclusion, especially if you work in a large institution that sees a great deal of struggle and sorrow on the daily. I haven't set foot in a church for decades, and I don't plan on going back, but I can't say I wouldn't listen to Hansen's radio show just once, for science. Recommended for the servant librarians, who care more about people than about being a "rockstar."
July 26, 2023
I can’t express how much this book touched me.
I was sobbing by the end of 5. Probably a bit before that, but on page 5, he related almost the exact religious trauma I went through. It felt like he ripped off the thoughts in my head during the ordeal and plastered them on paper. Most of this book felt like he ripped off the thoughts in my head and put them on paper.
So I can’t say thank you enough. Thank you, for making this misfit more seen. For letting her know there isn’t something wrong with her because the emotionality of the church doesn’t “click” with her. That she isn’t unloved or forgotten because she can’t “do” certain things. That it’s okay if the hypocrisy of the church irritates her. And for giving her the hope that this yearning, this desire for God’s presence, isn’t something that can be fulfilled on this side of Heaven—not that it means something is wrong with her.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m crying again.
So thank you.
I was sobbing by the end of 5. Probably a bit before that, but on page 5, he related almost the exact religious trauma I went through. It felt like he ripped off the thoughts in my head during the ordeal and plastered them on paper. Most of this book felt like he ripped off the thoughts in my head and put them on paper.
So I can’t say thank you enough. Thank you, for making this misfit more seen. For letting her know there isn’t something wrong with her because the emotionality of the church doesn’t “click” with her. That she isn’t unloved or forgotten because she can’t “do” certain things. That it’s okay if the hypocrisy of the church irritates her. And for giving her the hope that this yearning, this desire for God’s presence, isn’t something that can be fulfilled on this side of Heaven—not that it means something is wrong with her.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m crying again.
So thank you.
September 13, 2017
Like an honest conversation with an old friend, long into the night. Grab some toast and brew another pot of coffee, you need to hear this...
November 8, 2024
So good!
Want to read
November 12, 2024some lady at my church said she thought this book would be really helpful to me and i dont know how to feel..
May 3, 2025
some sweet reminders of important things. shareable, accessible content for all.
March 23, 2025
Everyone should read this book and not just the beginning. Read it to the end. The last four chapters are the best in the whole book. So so soooo good! ❤️
April 19, 2024
10/10 recommend if you at all resonate with the subtitle.
"Our feelings have nothing to do with whether God loves us or is still involved in our life. Nothing. There is no basis in scripture for the idea that if God is still involved with you - you will have good feelings. Unless that is - your actual God is your good feelings."
"Our feelings have nothing to do with whether God loves us or is still involved in our life. Nothing. There is no basis in scripture for the idea that if God is still involved with you - you will have good feelings. Unless that is - your actual God is your good feelings."
September 30, 2023
Quite moving. Loved everything about this.
October 23, 2018
What a relief! Someone finally wrote a book daring to discuss some of the things I’ve wondered about for a long time. As believers in Christ, we cannot and are not supposed to be built the same. We were created with different strengths, interests, and ways of expressing our thoughts and feelings. Yes, evangelism is a wonderful thing. It isn’t the only thing though. Some of us are comfortable talking to other people about Christ and about our experiences with him. Others write stories, serve in hospitals, or rebuild bridges after an earthquake. Our culture values extroversion with its chatter, small talk, and social media interaction. If you read the Bible and study the character and personal lives of church historians and leaders, I think you will find God values service in a much broader sense. That is what this book is about. Its message is refreshing, honest, and can lead to some wonderful discussions with friends and family. It has also prompted me to do some in-depth private journal writing, challenging me to get real about how I experience my relationship with Christ and how I serve and worship God. I am generally an introvert, but I don’t think I am as much of an introvert as the author of this book. Still, I recognize parts of myself in each chapter. I’m glad he took the time to write this book.
April 2, 2018
This is one of those books that will challenge you towards wisdom and grace. This one is a must read.
Read
September 24, 2017As an introvert, I have struggled to find my place in a world that seems to be populated only with extroverts - especially in my walk with Christ. This book provided so much reassurance that I'm not the only one.
Brant Hansen has written a book that speaks to the heart of introversion and its place in the Christian walk. From being distracted during prayer time, to being terrified of just interacting with others, to never having those grand feelings of God's presence, Brant touches on them all.
Blessed Are The Misfits hit me right in the heart, and will be read and re-read on a regular basis.
Brant Hansen has written a book that speaks to the heart of introversion and its place in the Christian walk. From being distracted during prayer time, to being terrified of just interacting with others, to never having those grand feelings of God's presence, Brant touches on them all.
Blessed Are The Misfits hit me right in the heart, and will be read and re-read on a regular basis.
January 2, 2022
I don't even know where to begin or how. THIS BOOK. Why am I only just now discovering it?
I'm a writer, so I should be able to parse out a general takeaway and refrain from geeking out over relating to almost everything the author said, but I can't. So I'll make it brief and two-fold:
1. God loves misfits. A Lot. You're not perfect? That's okay. He knows, he's not shocked, and he actually likes you. Really!
This is a book that could have saved me literally decades of agonizing in despair of ever changing and shame/guilt (just for being me, basically) and confusion about how God sees me. As it turns out, after a painfully long, dismal phase in my walk of faith, the Lord, patient and kind as he is, eventually taught me many of the things Hansen lovingly and with quick, delightful wit suggests in this book. It's a book I am not only going to highly recommend, I'm going to buy copies and stand over loved ones and maybe even my pastor until they read the entire thing. It's also a book that challenges every believer to think about our role in the church body, our expectations of others and ourselves, and what Jesus meant when he said "the world will know you if you love one another." Loving your fellow church people (even the weird ones, because face it, we all are) is a big deal to him, and needs to be to us.
2. I can personally relate to so much of what the author shares as an Aspie, which isn't the focus of the book but really does pertain to the subject matter on many levels. I so appreciate the author's transparency. It's hard to explain what it feels like to finally learn there's a reason you feel so different (alien), a reason you process and react and panic and are wired so differently than "Normals." And this epiphany prompts an intense desire to be understood.... only to find that Normal people really can't understand, and sadly, really don't want to. They're happy we can figure out how to rig things up and make stuff work, assemble Ikea furniture and remember all the phone numbers in the world, but don't want to know why or how we tick or why we don't try harder to like crowds and be normal (trust me, we try. Hard.)
(Though I've never met Mr. Hansen or even heard of him before reading this book, I think we may actually be clones. I'm delighted and slightly freaked out by this. Also, my last 2 novels are deeply woven with several of the scriptural themes he addresses (so many!!). I felt like he was writing my exact thoughts. Still not sure how I feel about that.)
If you struggle with feeling like you don't really fit into church life, or like you're really not a good Jesus follower or not doing enough or not good enough, or live with constant guilt and secret fears that God thinks you're a fraud, please read this book and let it be a life-changing encouragement to you.
This book also gently challenges the reader to rethink the way you see yourself as both a Christ follower and as part of a Christian community. Extremely encouraging, insightful, and entertaining. Highly recommended!
I'm a writer, so I should be able to parse out a general takeaway and refrain from geeking out over relating to almost everything the author said, but I can't. So I'll make it brief and two-fold:
1. God loves misfits. A Lot. You're not perfect? That's okay. He knows, he's not shocked, and he actually likes you. Really!
This is a book that could have saved me literally decades of agonizing in despair of ever changing and shame/guilt (just for being me, basically) and confusion about how God sees me. As it turns out, after a painfully long, dismal phase in my walk of faith, the Lord, patient and kind as he is, eventually taught me many of the things Hansen lovingly and with quick, delightful wit suggests in this book. It's a book I am not only going to highly recommend, I'm going to buy copies and stand over loved ones and maybe even my pastor until they read the entire thing. It's also a book that challenges every believer to think about our role in the church body, our expectations of others and ourselves, and what Jesus meant when he said "the world will know you if you love one another." Loving your fellow church people (even the weird ones, because face it, we all are) is a big deal to him, and needs to be to us.
2. I can personally relate to so much of what the author shares as an Aspie, which isn't the focus of the book but really does pertain to the subject matter on many levels. I so appreciate the author's transparency. It's hard to explain what it feels like to finally learn there's a reason you feel so different (alien), a reason you process and react and panic and are wired so differently than "Normals." And this epiphany prompts an intense desire to be understood.... only to find that Normal people really can't understand, and sadly, really don't want to. They're happy we can figure out how to rig things up and make stuff work, assemble Ikea furniture and remember all the phone numbers in the world, but don't want to know why or how we tick or why we don't try harder to like crowds and be normal (trust me, we try. Hard.)
(Though I've never met Mr. Hansen or even heard of him before reading this book, I think we may actually be clones. I'm delighted and slightly freaked out by this. Also, my last 2 novels are deeply woven with several of the scriptural themes he addresses (so many!!). I felt like he was writing my exact thoughts. Still not sure how I feel about that.)
If you struggle with feeling like you don't really fit into church life, or like you're really not a good Jesus follower or not doing enough or not good enough, or live with constant guilt and secret fears that God thinks you're a fraud, please read this book and let it be a life-changing encouragement to you.
This book also gently challenges the reader to rethink the way you see yourself as both a Christ follower and as part of a Christian community. Extremely encouraging, insightful, and entertaining. Highly recommended!
January 2, 2023
I was really encouraged by this book. I wanted to read it because I learned the author is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and as a parent, I really want to understand what the life of faith and experience of church is like for people on the spectrum.
What surprised me is how much I personally resonated with his observations. I have never heard of his podcast, but based on this book he is theologically solid and also humbly honest about the double standards Christians sometimes have and the emotional or cultural things we sometimes think of as part of our faith.
If you have ever felt out of place in church or struggled to know how to help those who do, this book is for you.
What surprised me is how much I personally resonated with his observations. I have never heard of his podcast, but based on this book he is theologically solid and also humbly honest about the double standards Christians sometimes have and the emotional or cultural things we sometimes think of as part of our faith.
If you have ever felt out of place in church or struggled to know how to help those who do, this book is for you.
December 8, 2020
Great read for anyone who has ever struggled with not "feeling" the presence of God. This is not a book that is going to tell you how to become passionate for the Lord, but rather show dozens of scriptural references that show that Christ is not looking for those who appear to be "spiritually healthy", He's looking for the broken, the struggling, the imperfect people and is offering them a place in His family. This book is so relatable, and even if you don't relate to every chapter, you can learn how to better relate to others who do.
Probably one of the best Christian living type books I've read! Hansen's writing style is hilarious and relatable. It reads like he is having a conversation with you rather than preaching at you, which I found to be very refreshing and more engaging than a lot of other Christian books.
Probably one of the best Christian living type books I've read! Hansen's writing style is hilarious and relatable. It reads like he is having a conversation with you rather than preaching at you, which I found to be very refreshing and more engaging than a lot of other Christian books.
April 10, 2024
As a person with ASD who has wondered for decades how I fit into a community, church or otherwise, how did it take me so long to finds books by Brant Hansen? Thanks Josh, you rock, even if you hate snow. If I wanted to write a book about life as a Christian on the spectrum, it would look something like this. Long live the misfits.
February 20, 2025
Funny, heartwarming, convicting… and full of “sehnsucht,” the German word for yearning that CS Lewis used to talk about heaven. I loved Brant’s humor and stories – the toast escapade was one of my favorites. This is a book I won’t forget. It was worth driving to a library 30 minutes away to get a copy.
September 3, 2025
I'm disappointed that I did not take away more from this book. I originally picked it up back when I was in middle/high school, wanting to see what God says about oucasts/misfits/weirdos/etc.. While some of the chapters had really good biblical connections, majority of them did not. Instead, the book felt more like a podcast where I was listening to the author's opinions and experiences with a sprinkle of the Bible. I prefer my Christian non-fiction books to have more Bible verses to confirm biblical truths.
September 16, 2017
ARC received courtesy of Netgalley and the Publisher, in exchange for an honest review
To say that this was simply a “good read,” would be an understatement. IMO, this book was a refreshing breath of air, given by an author who is unpretentious in his musings and more than relatable to his audience of misfits, square pegs, ragamuffins, and other weird folk, who don’t quite fit in with popular church culture. As a self-proclaimed “ragamuffin” chica, I loved reading this book, so much so that I went ahead and purchased his previous book, “unoffendable.”
Giving this one: 5 brilliant stars….
To say that this was simply a “good read,” would be an understatement. IMO, this book was a refreshing breath of air, given by an author who is unpretentious in his musings and more than relatable to his audience of misfits, square pegs, ragamuffins, and other weird folk, who don’t quite fit in with popular church culture. As a self-proclaimed “ragamuffin” chica, I loved reading this book, so much so that I went ahead and purchased his previous book, “unoffendable.”
Giving this one: 5 brilliant stars….
February 25, 2022
This book points out that you don’t have to necessarily look spiritual or have the same spiritual desires and habits as other Christians do. Quite interesting. I really like the author’s style and humor. I probably only agreed with about 75% of what he said, but the other 25% made me think too.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“Is there anything books can’t do? Why yes. Books can’t love me. They can’t call me out after observing life in my home… When books make me uncomfortable, I can shut them, and drop them off at Goodwill. I can’t really do that with humans. I’ve tried this.”
“The absence of feeling is not the absence of love (for God).”
“Bump into a tree, see what falls… now you know what kind of tree it is.”
(Speaking of the rarity of hearing “God’s audible voice”) - “Imagine if Noah wrote a book called, ‘How to Get God to Speak to You 5 Times in 950 Years’.”
“Some can see an 80 foot inflatable gorilla outside an appliance store, and instead of thinking, ‘What an odd world,’ they apparently think, ‘Cool! A gorilla! I guess I’ll buy me a new refrigerator!’ And then they think we are the weird ones!”
Some of my favorite quotes:
“Is there anything books can’t do? Why yes. Books can’t love me. They can’t call me out after observing life in my home… When books make me uncomfortable, I can shut them, and drop them off at Goodwill. I can’t really do that with humans. I’ve tried this.”
“The absence of feeling is not the absence of love (for God).”
“Bump into a tree, see what falls… now you know what kind of tree it is.”
(Speaking of the rarity of hearing “God’s audible voice”) - “Imagine if Noah wrote a book called, ‘How to Get God to Speak to You 5 Times in 950 Years’.”
“Some can see an 80 foot inflatable gorilla outside an appliance store, and instead of thinking, ‘What an odd world,’ they apparently think, ‘Cool! A gorilla! I guess I’ll buy me a new refrigerator!’ And then they think we are the weird ones!”
June 22, 2024
This book is such sweet encouragement, and throughout reading it I laughed and cried and thanked God for who He is. When church culture doesn’t make sense, and some of us start to feel like we just don’t fit whatever mold we’re supposed to fit, Brant Hansen’s frank insight in Blessed Are the Misfits offers hope, truth, and a dose of fun.
This one gets 5 stars and trip back to the TBR pile.
This one gets 5 stars and trip back to the TBR pile.
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