Growing Pains: How to Overcome Life's Earliest Experiences to Become All God Wants You to Be

by John Loren Sandford, Paula Sandford

Focusing on unresolved issues of childhood insecurity, rejection, anger, frustration, disappointment, and emptiness, this resource gives steps for identifying the root problems and outlines principles for eradicating them.

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2008

About the author

John Sandford and and his wife Paula are co-founders of Elijah House, Inc., an international ministry established in 1975 in response to the Lord's calling in Malachi 4:5-6 and Matthew 17:11

They have traveled extensively, teaching the biblical principles of repentance and forgiveness, highlighting the transforming power of Jesus' death and resurrection. They are considered pioneers in the prophetic and inner healing movements. Their vision has been to reveal that which keeps believers bound in repetitive sin; by, as John says, "evangelizing the unbelieving areas of the believer's heart."

John and Paula have sown a deeper understanding of the Word into the Body of Christ, especially regarding the four spiritual laws, illuminating the biblical truth that these laws are just as certain as the law of gravity in how they affect our lives. Their work in the Kingdom has brought transformation of individuals and reconciliation of relationships to countless thousands, from individuals and families to denominations and people groups,and most ultimately, reconciliation with The Father.

John graduated from seminary with an M. Div. in Religion and Personality. He pastored churches in Illinois, Kansas, and Idaho for 21 years before founding Elijah House. Paula was active in these churches in music and Christian education, and also taught English and Spanish in public high school for several years. She joined her husband in the team ministry of Elijah House from its beginning and was ordained in 1995.

John and his wife Paula experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit in 1958, which has enriched their ministry ever since. They have been married since 1951, have 6 children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Reviews

[Helen Shirley]

The fourth and final book by the Sandfords in The Transformation Series. I had a real profound experience whilst reading Chapter 3, Cuddle Time which every time I think back to it happening I'm in awe once again. This book concludes the series and takes you through the life cycle of new life in the womb up to toddling terrors! Written through the eyes of prayer ministers, the book is very Bible based,lots of real life scenarios and lots of psychology and facts. I took my time working my way through it and really prayed through the chapters and areas that resonated with me which is really the only way to approach this series of books. The final chapters included areas such as sexual abuse, anorexia, as well as one I found extremely interesting about dyslexia. How trauma and other rejections and hurts etc can impact upon early years children. The book provides steps for identifying these root causes that have impacted and how to resolve them once and for all. I've stuck lots of placeholder tabs throughout the book and know I will return to it again.

[Jhun Woo]

I thought that it would benefit me on personal level, but I think apparently it would be benefiting even till when I get married and have kid next time

[Caleb-Immanuel]

Very good book coming from years of ministry experience on inner healing and transformation. Though some of the hypotheses for root causes of problems do not yet possess empirical evidence, the fruits and results of their ministry do speak about the power of God to heal. And of His ability to speak to His people to the very details to see people set free. :)

Recommended not only for the wounded or those ministering to them, but also to parents and parents to be, no matter how young, or even, how old your children might be. :)