4.5 stars

I spent six months reading this book. Well, actually, I wasn’t reading it most of the time. Why? Because this is a processing book. And that takes time.

Books about healing, where you look at what’s hurt you and try to process and heal, require emotional energy. I didn’t have that every day. I also cried a lot through this and so I have to read when people aren’t around or I have the time to compose myself.

Then there are the prompts at the end of the chapters. (Which I greatly appreciated.) I didn’t always have the time to sit with them and work through things when I reached the end of a chapter. All of these things contributed to the long read time.

So what did I actually think of the book?

I think this is a great book… when you’re ready to start living again. If your grief and hurt are fresh, I think this book will make you angry. I know it would have for me. The author is very compassionate and gentle but this is a book for the point when you decide you’re tired of how things have been and you want a change.

He makes it accessible without giving you a direct roadmap because there is no such thing. He gives guidance and suggestions and examples from his own life. I think one of the most encouraging aspects, thought it might sound discouraging at first, is that he didn’t write this book until 8-10 years after his world fell apart. I’m at year 3 or 4. I tend to get frustrated at my lack or progress but hearing his story and seeing how long it took him to get to where he is helps me see that this can’t be rushed. Maybe this book will help cut off a year or two but it’s not a recipe for overnight healing. It just encourages you that healing is possible and gives you tools to assist in that goal.

It happened. It was ugly. Awful. Traumatic. And here you are, broken and bleeding.

How do you deal with what you can't change? Is it possible to move on without keeping your victim status intact? Do you even want to?

Maybe you wonder if God cares about your future when he's allowed the past to be marked with suffering. Is he able to restore your heart, your compassion, and your trust?

If you want to heal, if you want a clear path forward, please get this.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

We all have been hurt snd we have had gone through things we sometimes fail to forget. Healing what you cannot erase it's a love letter to us providing a road map on how to move forward when life's scars and losses consume us .The author shares their own story ,actionable steps and uses specific questions that helps you work through your emotions. Quite an insightful read.

"Healing What You Can't Erase: Transform Your Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health from the Inside Out" by Christopher Cook is a profound journey into the depths of healing and self-discovery. Cook's insightful exploration delves into the complexities of overcoming past traumas and embracing a path towards holistic well-being. Drawing from personal experiences and extensive research, the author offers practical strategies and transformative insights for healing wounds that seem impossible to erase. With a compassionate and empathetic approach, Cook guides readers through the process of uncovering inner resilience, cultivating self-compassion, and embracing the power of forgiveness. "Healing What You Can't Erase" is a beacon of hope for anyone grappling with the lingering effects of past pain, offering a roadmap for reclaiming mental, emotional, and spiritual health from the inside out. This book is a must-read for those seeking profound transformation and lasting healing in their lives.

What I Thought About the Book:

I enjoyed it! The author discussed his battle with pain and trauma while giving readers practical tips to move forward from their trials.
Our responses to trials and pain will positively or negatively impact our emotional health. The book focuses on how to have a healthier response to suffering.
This book was a good reminder of needing to surrender our life daily to Christ, letting go of the control we think we have, and giving it to the one who does.


What Stood Out:

I appreciated the author's willingness to note the ineffectiveness of self-help culture. While some of these tools are not bad, they do not produce lasting change. The author drills home the importance of heart transformation and the consistent need to depend upon the Holy Spirit.

The author notes that grief and pain are not something we get over, but we can move forward. He notes the importance of feeling grief and mourning our losses. The author states we will remain stuck in our past when we do not allow ourselves the space to mourn.

Transformation does not happen in a day; it happens daily. I thought this was an important point. We live in a society where everyone is looking for quick fixes. Transformation takes time and consistency.

At the end of the book, the author details a method for helping readers to renew their minds. "What we focus on flourishes." We need to set our minds on what is true. Though we experience pain and anxiety, we do not have to let it control us. We can stay afloat in the pain when Jesus is our anchor.

Book Descriptors:
Memoir feel
Practical Tips
Biblically Sound

Healing What You Can't Erase: Transform Your Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health from the Inside Out by author Christopher Cook is a Christian Mind & Body Health, Self-Help book. This hardcover book is 272 pages and divided into three sections: The Breaking, The Building, and The Beckoning.

The author uses scripture throughout his writing. He offers insight and help for those dealing with traumatic life experiences. It is an inspiring book that discusses healing through the power of the Holy Spirit. This book is not just for those hurting or grieving, but it also offers insight to those that care and love the hurting ones.

The author’s style of writing is easy to understand. Having three different sections makes it easy to return to where additional help is needed. This is a book to refer back to time and again.

I recommend this to anyone hurting or grieving as well as their loved ones. It is a helpful alternative to deal with heartache and sorrow. It receives 4 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by NetGalley, but these are my honest words.

I think many people may find this book helpful; I just wasn’t one of them. The author delves deeply into his own life story (including the tragic, slow loss of his mother to cancer and his own subsequent, separate diagnosis) which I found hard to read. His SEED method for taking every thought captive and replacing it with truth is good, but I confess I skimmed the rest of the book.

Healing What You Can't Erase: Transform Your Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health from the Inside Out by Christopher Cook is an incredible book. This book gently steers hurting people towards Scripture and a loving Father. I love how it deals so carefully with different issues and always points to Scripture. This is a book to share with others. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

[provided by NetGalley]
Healing What You Can't Erase
by Christopher Cook

This book evoked me into such an incredible mindset and healing state to move forward through all my past traumas. I can tell just from his writing that Christopher Cook is so very Spirit filled. The way that God talks through him is so amazing and truly inspiring.

Cook separates this book into three parts named: The Breaking; The Building and The Beckoning. In which he thoroughly explains his guidance to us, constantly referring back to scripture to emphasize his points and doesn't just preach to us but relates to us. This book has been such an eye-opener. Every Christian (or even non-Christians) needs this book.

I enjoyed his perspective on the healing process and will be trying his ideas. I think his approach is well thought out and should work for some. I would recommend this book to others suffering from PTSD or other mental health issues.

While this is a self-help book steeped in religion, I do think that there are some good lessons and advice that everyone can use, regardless of religious beliefs.