Abuse: Finding Hope in Christ

The Gospel for Real Life #1

by John Henderson

A compassionate treatment of the problem of sexual abuse, using the example of one couple seeking counseling. See how the beauty and light of the gospel brings hope and comfort in our darkest circumstances.

Genres: Counselling

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2012

About the author

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

John Henderson (MA, PhD, University of North Texas) is associate pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and a board member of the Association of Biblical Counselors and the Biblical Counseling Coalition. He is the author of Equipped to Counsel.

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A difficult read but a eye opening read.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This booklet walks through eight lessons from Psalm 22 in responding wisely to suffering and abuse in counseling. I love resources that reveal how rich and deep Scripture is!

[Ashley Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tiny little book packed with encouragement. It explores the effects of abuse (physical and sexual) on a marriage through a case study of one couple. I think you could glean insights even if you aren’t married though. It basically applies psalm 22 and walks through several other passages to help apply the gospel to all parts of life. (Relationships, sexuality, past experiences, etc…)

[Brittany Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gospel-centered perspective on processing and healing from abuse that emphasizes the compassion of Christ and the sovereignty of God which is so vast in its goodness that it can even redeem our darkest experiences. It acknowledges the reality of extreme pain and trauma that this world of sin can bring and gives practical steps forward through the help of Scripture❤️

[CJ Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful word for those ministering to those who have suffered abuse, centered on Psalm 22.

Does not describe or define abuse, and is not written directly to the abused; you'll need to look elsewhere for that. But for an excellent model on using Scripture to frame experience and to bring comfort in suffering, this booklet is a very good resource.

[Jason Skeffington · Rating 5 out of 5]

God cares about our pain

This is an insightful walk with a couple who faced dealing with past abuse. You see how God cares and ministers to our pain to bring healing from abuse, and place our focus on where it truly belongs.

[Sam Knecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grounded both in a real life situation and in the Scriptures, this is an excellent brief resource on an otherwise daunting topic.

Christ has saved sinners from their sin. He has also saved sufferers through their suffering.

[Landon Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little booklet walks through one counseling session with a struggling couple. The conversation centers on Psalm 22 and the hope of the gospel. This is a practical, biblical resource for thinking about abuse and it's ongoing effects on a marriage.

[Elizabeth Aucoin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very readable, not very long. Easy to pick up and helpful to use when starting to dive into this topic through the study of Scripture. Maybe more on the general side.