Difference Maker: Overcoming Adversity and Turning Pain into Purpose, Every Day

by Gary Roe

"Every teen and parent should read this book. Our teens need us. They are the Difference Makers of the future." - Dr. Doug Vance, PhD, Doug Vance Juvenile Consulting; Founder, Brazos Valley Coalition on Suicide PreventionTeens have been hit and wounded. Life hasn't turned out to be what they expected, wanted, or hoped for. No one seems to care. They feel alone and isolated. Something is wrong. They can sense it. Deep down, their hearts are saying, "There's got to be more."Yes, there is. It's time to help our teens turn things around. It's time to expose the lies they've been fed about themselves (sometimes by themselves) and embrace the truth.What's the truth?Our teens are Difference Makers. And it's time to help them start living that way.For more than 30 years, multiple award-winning author and speaker Gary Roe has been helping teens and adults heal from past wounds, discover who they are, and live with passion and purpose. With more than a dozen books and 600 articles in print, he has become a trusted, inspirational voice to thousands of wounded hearts. "Life is about overcoming," Gary frequently says. Have your teen join him on the Difference Maker journey. You'll be glad you did, and they'll thank you for it. In this Teen Edition of Difference Maker, your teen will discover...- The incredible power lies have had over them and their hearts.- What the common lies are out there, and how they are affecting them.- How to expose the lies they've been fed, one by one.- The truth about themselves and those around them.- How to embrace the truth and begin to think and live differently. As your teen chooses to think differently and begin to heal and grow, they'll also learn...- How to conquer obstacles like fear, anxiety, anger, depression, self-harming behavior, and suicidal thoughts. - Why they're here and what their mission is. - How to avoid thoughts, behavior, and habits that threaten their well-being and will scuttle their mission.- How to embrace healthy, mission-building thoughts, behavior, and habits that will propel them forward.- How to live with more purpose and passion than they (and you) dreamed possible.No matter what has happened to your teen or around them, they can heal and grow. They can overcome adversity and turn pain into purpose, every day. They can transform losses into gains. Difference Maker can show them how. Our teens are Difference Makers. The world needs them. Let's help them accept the challenge. Let the Difference Maker adventure begin.

188 pages, Paperback

Published June 21, 2019

About the author

Hi. My name is Gary.

My story began with a childhood of sexual abuse and numerous other losses. When my life began to unravel as a teen, another family took me in and changed the trajectory of my life. My healing journey began.

Eager to help others heal and grow, my heart turned outward. Over the next three decades, I served as a campus minister, a church-planting missionary in Japan, an entrepreneur in Hawaii, and a pastor. I'm currently work as a writer, speaker, and hospice chaplain.

After walking through deep valleys with thousands of people, I can say the following with confidence:

• We've all been wounded
• Healing isn't for sissies
• We’re all designed for impact
• The world needs us
• We must heal

I'm here to help. I'm no guru or master of anything. I'm a fellow struggler. I still bear the scars of my wounds. I grieve, get anxious, worry, and battle fear regularly. But I'm healing, and I'm growing.

Stop by my website. Drop me an email. I’d love to hear from you.

Reviews

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good advice for teens (and those of us who love them)

This book helps young people navigate the issues that come up in their lives, and gives guidance for dealing with others. I wish I had read it when I was a teenager, but a lot of the pointers are helpful for adults, too. I highly recommend it.

[Robin Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I wish I'd read this wonderful book as a student; it would have been life-changing! Difference Maker explores the lies that 'like little viruses injected one message at a time, can wreak havoc in every part of our lives, (p.34) and offers sound wisdom on replacing them with helpful thought patterns. And that's just the first half! Gary helps us chart a journey for making a difference in ourselves and with others. I'm recommending Difference Maker to all my students.

[Susan C. Beabout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Holy Smokes! Life Altering! Healing for teens!
This book was exactly what I needed to help my daughter-in-law's brother to see that life is worth living and he can heal from the mixed messages and in addition, become a difference maker in his environment. This is a dynamic book for any teen who feels they don't matter and want to make a difference in this world!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly wonderful for anyone to read. I just finished it & plan to read it again. It is a great book to add to my self-help books & I would definitely recommend it to anyone.