Healing Is A Choice – Book Review

Everyone gets sick from time to time and there are many causes from viruses and bacteria to stress and environmental toxins. Many of these things are out of our control, so to say that healing is a choice brings up a lot of questions in my mind. Some people overcome a serious illness like cancer while others do not. I think it is unfair to assume that everyone has complete control over their ability to survive such illnesses. Fortunately, that is not what this book is proclaiming, even though the title might lead you to think that.

Healing Is A Choice is about a deeper level of healing, the healing that brings peace. Regardless of the nature of the illness, be it physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, there is some type of internal healing that needs to take place. This book delves into healing the heart and soul, the internal brokenness that can keep us trapped in a life of emotional pain. Even a person who is going to die can experience internal healing that will allow them to die peacefully.

Arterburn shows us what we do have control over, the choices that we can make which will either help us find healing or lead us away from it. He also highlights the lies or attitudes that can prevent us from making choices that will lead to healing. I found his book to be very deep and insightful, full of real life examples as well as the authors own story of pain and healing.

Healing Is A Choice, by Stephen Arterburn,  is written in a sequential and logical manner highlighting 10 decisions that can transform your life and 10 lies that can prevent you from making those decisions. It includes a workbook so there are questions and exercises at the end of each chapter. It’s not a quick read as it tends to provoke a bit of soul searching. Many people need healing due to relationship problems or circumstances where they felt victimized, and this book offers hope and help. I highly recommend Healing Is A Choice to anyone suffering with emotional pain or illness of any type.