Wednesday, December 7, 2016

What Grieving People Wish You Knew about What Really Helps by Nancy Guthrie

book cover
What Grieving People Wish You Knew about What Really Helps
by Nancy Guthrie


ISBN-13: 9781433552359
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Crossway Books
Released: Sept. 30, 2016

Source: ARC review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
When someone we love is grieving, we want to be there. But it's easy to feel paralyzed, worried that we might say or do the wrong thing. Nancy Guthrie has personal experience dealing with pain and knows what words of encouragement are helpful and what words are harmful.

Drawing from her own life experiences--including the loss of two young children--Guthrie has written this helpful resource for Christians who want to be better friends to those who are suffering. Practical and down-to-earth, this book includes examples and helpful tips from real grieving people who have been helped (and hurt) by friends who meant well, equipping readers to come alongside and comfort loved ones who are hurting.


My Review:
What Grieving People Wish You Knew about What Really Helps focused on grief from losing a loved one by death. The author understands that different people will be comforted or offended by different things, but she tries to give general principles about what to say and do and what to not say and do. She also includes comments by people who have experienced this grief, explaining what they found comforting when they were grieving.

What I found most helpful was insight into the mindset of people who are profoundly grieving. Some of the suggestions seemed contradictory, as some people said they would find it comforting but others said they would not, but I found some suggestions that I would be comfortable doing. I'd recommend this book to those who want to better comfort those grieving the lose of a loved one.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

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