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SOUL HEALING...LIVING BEYOND THE PAIN OF YOUR PAST.
330 Pages, Paperback. LCCN # 2008901090
302 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 20, 2024
life changing
August 9, 2021
This is not one of those books that is mass produced promising change/freedom/chains broken and fails to deliver. This book is in a league of it's own with the worth contained within. "Self-help doesn't help" she claims, and she is absolutely right. This book takes you on a journey through different layers of self reflection that takes actual work, but is SO worth the journey to uncover ways one has been impacted from wounds and how one has attempted to heal from those wounds, in a lot of awareness and ways that one might not have even realized. Definitely HIGHLY recommend this book.
April 15, 2026
Soul Healing exceeded all of my expectations. What started out as a "casual women's study" worked it's way into deeply challenging questions, life changing perspectives, and hope. Tammy Smith provides the perfect blend of psychological research and biblical truths in a curriculum designed to remind you of your security and identity in Christ, that you CAN rewire your brain no matter how "broken", and that staying consistent, re-writing the lies, vows, and habits built for decades is possible in Christ.
Here's My Top Takeaways
Chapter 1: The Intended Path
I must have an identity in Christ to heal! And I cannot escape God's love for me. He lavishes me in love. What great love that while I was a sinner, Christ died for me.
"You can either get on board with this reality and start living out what security and freedom will bring you in your everyday life, or continue to compare and measure yourself with arbitrary standards of the particular societal group you are near and struggle with insecurity, fear, self-loathing, and all other manner of misplaced understanding."
Chapter 2: Full Awareness
I must know who the real enemy is (Eph 6:12). Not how I feel in the moment. Be aware of my weaknesses and sinnature because, "our unexamined stuff will rule us."
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." Psalm 139:23
Do I say yes to the searching of God?
Chapter 3: Wounds, Lies, and Consequences
"If a lie has been implanted and left untouched, it then becomes a lens through which we perceive life."
I must remove the lie to make room for the truth. Both can not fit simultaneously.
"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7
Chapter 4: Deficits that Drive
Wounds of Ommission mean we have a low or empty vat. "Our emptiest vat drives much of our present-day interactions."
I cannot demand that anyone or anything fills those low vats. Only God can fill my heart enough to provide contentment.
Chapter 5: The Real Deal
Stop focusing on the wrong thing - being relieved from all pain or vats. Christ's purpose is not to fill all the deficits. Turn my eyes upon Jesus, not the difficulty.
I cannot use the tools I have been given unless they are placed in a secure box.
"Everyone knows our troubles drive us to God more than times of ease. Our hurts cause us to cry out for healing more than times of calm. Perhaps this is not the problem at all. Perhaps it could be even part of a blessed plan to keep us close and dependent upon Jesus."
Chapter 6: Space in Your Soul
The pain must be accepted. The grief must be worked through. "The soul can only contain so much pain until it shuts down." Stuffing it all up will only shut me down. Working through the grief and accepting the discomfort can do so much more than pretending it's not there.
"However, living life with an internal armoire full of hurt, pain, and sadness is self-indulgent. It's essentially disallowing God to have full access to, and total handling of, our emotions." WOW!
Chapter 7: Hiding Out
The Vows, Masks, Anesthetic Habits, and Patterns emmitting from the hurt self will all prevent true healing. I make vows outside of the will of God ("I will never again show weakness"); I hide behind masks of "having it all together" or "people pleasing"; I anesthetize myself with energy drinks and YouTube and mindless activities; I hold on to patterns of codependency. True growth takes character, discipline, and giving up what is easy to exchange it for God's Will. "You are indeed pressing on to the goal with endurance (Phil 3:14), when it could be much eaiser to bail out and settle for something less than true victory and healing."
"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." Prov 26:11
Chapter 8: Mind Games: The Intellectual Pathway
"Emotional wounding cannot be solved by the mere application of discipline and doctrine. Rigorous attention to God's Word and self-discipline in one's life will reap great reward, but even Pharisees who ultimately betrayed Jesus knew God's Word. Holistic, real, lasting change must also include routine and intentional attention to the other facets of being a human."
I must KNOW His Truth. Not just FEEL it (John 8:32). I must Recognize, Reject, and Replace lies that have lingered for years. Take every thought captive! Be proactive.
I must have an internal locus of control. Choose my reactions and do not accept victimhood.
"On a day when your feelings run wild, do you command your own soul to bless the Lord? The concept of willing yourself into God's truth is huge - we must choose to recognize, reject, and replace lies with truth; we must decide to pour God's Word into us; we must remind ourselves on purpose to stay in today, turn to God quickly, and remove inaccurate lenses."
Chapter 9: Battling Powerfully: The Spiritual Pathway
I must recognize who the real enemy is and remove any strongholds he may have. When I move towards God there will always be resistance from the enemy.
When in spiritual doubt - thank Him for saving me from death! Thank Him for the free gift of salvation.
"A reasonable goal for us is to become adept at quick recognition of lies."
Chapter 10: Making Change: The Behavioral Pathway
External change only works when I have done all the internal work first! Change attitude and posture FIRST and then let it bleed out to behaviors.
Ebenezer means Stone of Help. Samuel took a stone as a reminder that the Lord helped them defeat the Philistines (1 Sam 7:12). I need Ebenezers in my life to promote long term memory of what my Savior and God has done for me!
"We are in danger of being more consumptive than productive in our spiritual climate. The number of Bible studies we can attend, books we can read, and strategies we can be exposed to is wonderful, but we are compelled to use what God has given...Don't just know you should read the Word more, actually read the Word more."
Chapter 11: Feeling Your Way: The Emotional Pathway
My emotions are not the arbiter of truth! Test them all against reality. Test them all against my identity in Christ.
Ride the wave of emotion. "They need to be acknowleded as part of you, but not the central point." DO NOT LET THEM DRIVE.
Learn to accept my weak spots. "Instead of being completely shocked and dismayed when this happens, you will do much better if you learn to tolerate yourself." I'm more emotional today because I am fatigued or on my period or sensitive because someone hurt me...being aware of these hard times will make it easier to get out of the emotional pit, but also will help me have grace on myself when I feel I should be "over it".
Chapter 12: A Better Life
I am called to view what I have endured as something to advance the gospel! Maybe the worst thing that has happened to you was "the most productively shaping events of your life." And think like Paul: "Now I want you to know, brothers, that whatever has happened has really served to advance the gospel." (Phil 1:12)
Chapter 13: You Go!
The journey is not linear. And I will never arrive at the destination. But I will keep inching towards sanctification, because "If I love God, I will obey His commands!".
Inch towards peace through...
- Squarely Secure: Security as a Child Of God. Know God's Word.
- Fill it Up, Power it Out: Overflowing to others because of a full cup!
- Prideless Power: freedom and power in Christ
- Keys: Knowing my strengths and being okay with what I don't have
- The Green, Green Grass: Focus on what is versus what is not
- Long Haul: Be consistent!
- Dialed In: Know God's voice
Here's My Top Takeaways
Chapter 1: The Intended Path
I must have an identity in Christ to heal! And I cannot escape God's love for me. He lavishes me in love. What great love that while I was a sinner, Christ died for me.
"You can either get on board with this reality and start living out what security and freedom will bring you in your everyday life, or continue to compare and measure yourself with arbitrary standards of the particular societal group you are near and struggle with insecurity, fear, self-loathing, and all other manner of misplaced understanding."
Chapter 2: Full Awareness
I must know who the real enemy is (Eph 6:12). Not how I feel in the moment. Be aware of my weaknesses and sinnature because, "our unexamined stuff will rule us."
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." Psalm 139:23
Do I say yes to the searching of God?
Chapter 3: Wounds, Lies, and Consequences
"If a lie has been implanted and left untouched, it then becomes a lens through which we perceive life."
I must remove the lie to make room for the truth. Both can not fit simultaneously.
"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7
Chapter 4: Deficits that Drive
Wounds of Ommission mean we have a low or empty vat. "Our emptiest vat drives much of our present-day interactions."
I cannot demand that anyone or anything fills those low vats. Only God can fill my heart enough to provide contentment.
Chapter 5: The Real Deal
Stop focusing on the wrong thing - being relieved from all pain or vats. Christ's purpose is not to fill all the deficits. Turn my eyes upon Jesus, not the difficulty.
I cannot use the tools I have been given unless they are placed in a secure box.
"Everyone knows our troubles drive us to God more than times of ease. Our hurts cause us to cry out for healing more than times of calm. Perhaps this is not the problem at all. Perhaps it could be even part of a blessed plan to keep us close and dependent upon Jesus."
Chapter 6: Space in Your Soul
The pain must be accepted. The grief must be worked through. "The soul can only contain so much pain until it shuts down." Stuffing it all up will only shut me down. Working through the grief and accepting the discomfort can do so much more than pretending it's not there.
"However, living life with an internal armoire full of hurt, pain, and sadness is self-indulgent. It's essentially disallowing God to have full access to, and total handling of, our emotions." WOW!
Chapter 7: Hiding Out
The Vows, Masks, Anesthetic Habits, and Patterns emmitting from the hurt self will all prevent true healing. I make vows outside of the will of God ("I will never again show weakness"); I hide behind masks of "having it all together" or "people pleasing"; I anesthetize myself with energy drinks and YouTube and mindless activities; I hold on to patterns of codependency. True growth takes character, discipline, and giving up what is easy to exchange it for God's Will. "You are indeed pressing on to the goal with endurance (Phil 3:14), when it could be much eaiser to bail out and settle for something less than true victory and healing."
"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." Prov 26:11
Chapter 8: Mind Games: The Intellectual Pathway
"Emotional wounding cannot be solved by the mere application of discipline and doctrine. Rigorous attention to God's Word and self-discipline in one's life will reap great reward, but even Pharisees who ultimately betrayed Jesus knew God's Word. Holistic, real, lasting change must also include routine and intentional attention to the other facets of being a human."
I must KNOW His Truth. Not just FEEL it (John 8:32). I must Recognize, Reject, and Replace lies that have lingered for years. Take every thought captive! Be proactive.
I must have an internal locus of control. Choose my reactions and do not accept victimhood.
"On a day when your feelings run wild, do you command your own soul to bless the Lord? The concept of willing yourself into God's truth is huge - we must choose to recognize, reject, and replace lies with truth; we must decide to pour God's Word into us; we must remind ourselves on purpose to stay in today, turn to God quickly, and remove inaccurate lenses."
Chapter 9: Battling Powerfully: The Spiritual Pathway
I must recognize who the real enemy is and remove any strongholds he may have. When I move towards God there will always be resistance from the enemy.
When in spiritual doubt - thank Him for saving me from death! Thank Him for the free gift of salvation.
"A reasonable goal for us is to become adept at quick recognition of lies."
Chapter 10: Making Change: The Behavioral Pathway
External change only works when I have done all the internal work first! Change attitude and posture FIRST and then let it bleed out to behaviors.
Ebenezer means Stone of Help. Samuel took a stone as a reminder that the Lord helped them defeat the Philistines (1 Sam 7:12). I need Ebenezers in my life to promote long term memory of what my Savior and God has done for me!
"We are in danger of being more consumptive than productive in our spiritual climate. The number of Bible studies we can attend, books we can read, and strategies we can be exposed to is wonderful, but we are compelled to use what God has given...Don't just know you should read the Word more, actually read the Word more."
Chapter 11: Feeling Your Way: The Emotional Pathway
My emotions are not the arbiter of truth! Test them all against reality. Test them all against my identity in Christ.
Ride the wave of emotion. "They need to be acknowleded as part of you, but not the central point." DO NOT LET THEM DRIVE.
Learn to accept my weak spots. "Instead of being completely shocked and dismayed when this happens, you will do much better if you learn to tolerate yourself." I'm more emotional today because I am fatigued or on my period or sensitive because someone hurt me...being aware of these hard times will make it easier to get out of the emotional pit, but also will help me have grace on myself when I feel I should be "over it".
Chapter 12: A Better Life
I am called to view what I have endured as something to advance the gospel! Maybe the worst thing that has happened to you was "the most productively shaping events of your life." And think like Paul: "Now I want you to know, brothers, that whatever has happened has really served to advance the gospel." (Phil 1:12)
Chapter 13: You Go!
The journey is not linear. And I will never arrive at the destination. But I will keep inching towards sanctification, because "If I love God, I will obey His commands!".
Inch towards peace through...
- Squarely Secure: Security as a Child Of God. Know God's Word.
- Fill it Up, Power it Out: Overflowing to others because of a full cup!
- Prideless Power: freedom and power in Christ
- Keys: Knowing my strengths and being okay with what I don't have
- The Green, Green Grass: Focus on what is versus what is not
- Long Haul: Be consistent!
- Dialed In: Know God's voice
December 18, 2023
This book is awesome! Well, more accurately, Jesus is awesome!!! This book is an awesome tool to point you to find healing and restoration in Christ alone; it’s not a self help book that’ll give you a temporary fix, and it doesn’t promise to fix all of your problems. Tammy Smith invites the reader into how to fight against the lies of the enemy, stand firm in God’s truths, and live empowered by the Spirit, letting the Lord continue to shape us, mold us, and have freedom in Christ!! I would recommend this book to any believer; we’re all busted and disgusted and are in need of Jesus to bring full restoration in our lives! Change takes time, and God transforms us over time as we continue to let Him shape us to be more in His image!
April 1, 2020
Excellent tool to take you through the healing that all of our souls need. Dr Tammy Smith uses her God given counseling talents and purpose to gently take you through the necessary steps of wound healing. She is genuine and authentic, sharing examples from her own healing journey when appropriate. You will fall in love with her but more importantly with our Holy Father as she reminds us of the grace that is ours for the taking. If you want to live a life that is more peaceful and free and focused on God, start reading Soul Healing!!
May 31, 2017
Soul Healing is one of those books that is eye opening in unexpected ways. Not only does it help you learn how to heal and move forward from your past, but it first shows how you have been hurt and how that has changed you. It helped me learn more about myself and who I wanted to be and how to get to that person, the person fully healed and who finds their love and strength I he Lord.
March 21, 2019
This is the perfect book for individuals and small groups focused on inner healing. It's firmly rooted in the Word of God and the transformation that occurs as we apply God's Word to our lives. It is designed to get to the root of the wounds that are affecting our relationships and daily lives, and provides a path for reclaiming and redeeming emotional damage.
April 22, 2021
Second time reading this and still so amazed at the truths inside.
September 12, 2023
One of my favorite books ever. So helpful!
September 17, 2023
An amazing book that helps you reflect and grow in your faith. I still think about this book even though I read it almost a year ago.
February 14, 2024
One of the best books I’ve ever read on healing.
June 22, 2024
Love her! She's the real deal!
May 22, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up. This is a good book, and Tammy Smith is an insightful woman. Combining her training as a psychologist and therapist with her Christian beliefs, Dr. Smith walks through the effects of various hurts on how you view the world. One of her strengths is her ability to tie difficult concepts to everyday things for some clever and memorable analogies. Unfortunately, I felt this book could have used a good edit. Too many typos and overall a little rambling.
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June 30, 2015This is the most inspirational book I've ever read. Going through with a highlighter and a pen, I have practically every other sentence marked. This is such a fantastic read for anyone in need of healing from their past pains and problems. My friend gave me this book, and I want to give a copy to every person because this is a must read!
February 4, 2018
Wow— this book challenged me and helped me. The writing style is conversational, and it could use an editor to tidy up the prose, but I kept coming back to it over and over again. It is practical and not at all sappy. Very helpful.
October 21, 2022
Life changing. Real help.
July 28, 2015
Life changing for me.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews