Review and Giveaway of Margaret Brownley's Grieving God's Way

Margaret Brownley's non-fiction book, Grieving God's Way: The Path to Lasting Hope and Healing, is a must-have for counselors or lay people.

Here's a blurb from the book's website:

Did you know that it can take as long as five years or more for a person to adequately work through grief? But because we live in a fast-paced society, we often sweep grief under the rug, or ignore it altogether. Medical experts now know that unresolved grief can cause such health problems as headaches, depression, back pain, and even heart disease and cancer.

Grieving God’s Way is a book made to order for the grieving spirit. It will help you gain new insight into the grieving process, gain more appreciation for friends and family, and come to understand God’s plan for healing heart and soul. It may even help cure your back.

What I liked best about this grief devotional is it's brevity. Too often, I've had people recommend these lengthy works to give bereaved individuals and the truth is that when you're hurting, sometimes the very last thing your mind can focus on is long chapters of text.

Margaret's book is composed of 90 chapters, most of which are under 2 pages. There is a brief 3-4 paragraphs pertaining to that day's subject matter, beautifully written haiku poetry by Diantha Ain, and then an exercise or two to engage in if so desired.

I went through the book with my husband, who lost his father very suddenly back in March 2011. Since the chapters were so short, he stayed focused and interested, and even though the grief wasn't at it's keenest, he still found it helpful. I believe that once a bereaved person gets through the initial shock, this book would be a very thoughtful gift to help them on their healing journey.

Margaret used a very biblical approach to grief, dividing the book into four sections:

1. Healing the Grieving Body...through healthy choices

"...Listen closely to my words...for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body."  (Proverbs 4:2-22)

2. Healing the Grieving Soul...through beauty, art and nature

"He has made everything beautiful in its times."  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

3. Healing the Grieving Heart...with the help of family and friends

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."  (Proverbs 4:23)

4. Healing the Grieving Spirit...through faith

"'Go,' said Jesus, your faith has healed you." (Mark 10:52)

Margaret's personal journey through the grief of her eldest son is poignant, and she writes from her own experience and heart. Her suggestions for exercises are therapeutically sound, and many of them I use in my practice. I picked up several more, so thanks Margaret!

I received this free book from Thomas Nelson.  A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed are my own.

Let's Analyze: Have you ever tried to read something too detailed or too long when you were grieving? What was your reaction? Would you or someone you know benefit from a book like this?

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