Easing Life's Hurts

EASING LIFE''S HURTS compassionately encourages readers to choose a biblical perspective toward facing life''s bumps, bruises, and disappointments. While optimistic, it makes no claim that all life''s hurts can be blocked. Unavoidable hits and losses help us grasp our common humanity. Neither can all pains be erased; some of them stay with us as crucial and challenging aspects of our new reality. They shape our souls toward wisdom, kindness, and understanding. Wilhelm and Bagents remind us that we''re not alone in facing setbacks. They also remind us that we''re never powerless victims. When we hurt, we can choose to seek God''s help and welcome His grace. As we heal-often even as part of healing-we find allies whom we come to identify as gifts from God. We discover strengths, many available for immediate access, some awaiting development, and others new to the moment. And we come to welcome the soothing power of humor. As we hurt, we find God lovingly ready to comfort and assist. As He eases our hurts, He also gently pulls us to use what we experience-what we have learned, are learning, and will learn -to help ease the hurts of others.