Why Do Christians Shoot Their Wounded? Helping (Not Hurting) Those with Emotional Difficulties

This has a harsh title, but the question does need answered? This book is about how many people- Christian included- suffer from real emotional pain such as depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. Tooo often they are given "pat answers" and told to "go read the Bible" because th ecause of the illness must be a spiritual problem. Dr. Carlson tackles this head on, revealing how the church body today can more effectively reach out to hurting people. If you are hurting, you will find comfort and validation. This book needs to be read by every HopeKeepers Leader and church leadership!

One Amazon.com reviewer says:

A truly thought-provoking and compassionate discussion of emotional illness in the Christian community. Carlson disagrees with popular legalists, some of whom have attracted a large following, that the only sources of emotional illness are such things as unrepented sin, lack of faith or insufficient prayer. He establishes three categories of causes: physiological, psychological and spiritual. While some cases of emotional illness may be entirely an individual's own "fault" through some form of spiritual neglect or disobedience, these cases are probably very rare.

In a majority of cases, there is a combination of causes involving all three of the areas mentioned above. The bottom line is that many if not most emotional illnesses involve a physiological cause which can only be eliminated with properly, professionally prescribed medication. It is only by compassionately acknowledging the truth and understanding this physiological component that Christians can begin to respond with God's healing grace to those who are suffering. The book concludes with an excellent list of suggestions, ideas and resources for Christian communities, churches and individuals to respond positively to those in need.

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