From Pain to Purpose (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781977222855)

Everyone has a story that needs to be told. We all have had our share of pain in life. Some of us have recovered; others are recovering, and some are still trying to navigate their way through. But, through all of the dark clouds is a light that is ready to emerge and shine. Reaching for that light involves peeling back one layer at a time. This is the journey that many speak of when they come out of painful situations. They talk about what led up to their recovery and freedom. Many, however, are feeling trapped and weighed down by trauma and emotional pain. They sit beside us in church service, preach in the pulpit, sing on the choir, participate in outreach, teach children's church, serve in positions of leadership, or just occasionally attend on Sundays. They're experiencing a great degree of difficulty in their lives, but masking it by going through the motions of church as usual. They praise with pain, worship with wounded souls, and say, "Amen" while concealing their anxiety. Many are carrying around unforgiveness, regret, fear, guilt, and shame. They're in need of mending and healing, but continue to go on as if everything is okay. In fact, everything is not okay and hasn't been for quite some time. How long will this cycle continue in today's church? From Pain to Purpose examines the condition of the heart and comprehending God in the context of one's heavenly Father. It looks at the challenges we all face from time to time as we go about our Christian journey and offers fundamental, practical insight into what it means to reach for God when facing painful situations and emotions. Anthony opens up about his own struggle with reconciling God's love while going through personal challenges--something that many Christians contend with because they're viewing God from an unhealthy perspective. The core purpose of the book is to help readers understand that their emotional wounds are of great concern to God's heart and that freedom from their pain is within reach