The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom

I love to read. You already know that about me. I always say after reading a book, "It'll change your life." I get made fun of all the time for it.Michele Cushatt, Author recommended a book several months ago and I bought it. I'd never heard of Henri Nouwen up to that point.It's taken me almost 3 months to get through this book. It has wrecked me emotionally and spiritually in good ways.It's opened my eyes to toxic thoughts and emotions I've believed about myself and others.Nouwen's words have brought me to my knees in repentance for relying more on relationships and validation than the love of God.It took me 3 days to journal through one paragraph.He says in the introduction.."Everything came crashing down - my self-esteem, my energy to live and work, my sense of being loved, my hope for healing, my trust in God... everything. Here I was, a writer about the spiritual life, known as someone who loves God and gives hope to people, flat on the ground and in total darkness.Just when all those around me were assuring me they loved me, cared for me, appreciated me, yes, even admired me, I experienced myself as a useless, unloved, and despicable person."Yes... Yes... It's like he was sitting right beside me knowing exactly what I was feeling.Nouwen's words brought me to a more intimate place with Christ. A place I was and still am desperate for.This book... I have so much to say, yet it has left me speechless. I will go back to it time and time again through my life, no doubt.I leave you with these words..."God loves me. God's love is enough. And I must choose the solid place over and over again." - Henri Nouwen

I chose the highest rating for several reasons: It came from his heart in understandable logic; after 70 years I let go of the rest of my pride in humble faith; his spiritual search is the biblical search of many including myself; he gave me words to share vast truth and hope to those I have decided to forgive and love. Many should read his words and join the journey.

Henri Nouwen puts into words what we think and feel. It is a remarkable gift. I am amazed at how an intellectually brilliant man can write with such simplicity yet profoundness. I cannot say enough about him and his writings. Very few can combine academic erudition and human suffering. This comes from absorbing both worlds, a destiny not common to many. This books describes his darkest hour, and it speaks to those of us who have travelled a similar path.He frames truth and pain in uncommon ways. It shows that he has thought deeply about his struggles, both with God and man. If you have travelled a season of spiritual anguish, then you will identify with Nouwen. His thoughts will give you hope and courage to continue the journey. It can be read in one day, but should be read a chapter a day. After this, I highly recommend you read his book "Reaching Out".

Resonated so well - one of my favorites

This book is an authentic journal of someone's struggle to find self acceptance and a belief he is loved by God. It might resonate with Catholics and some other Christians. I did find some of the entries interesting but for the most not something I could apply to my own experience.

This book is filled with what I have been referring to as "love letters from God" that speak directly to a heart that is in pain and in need of healing and consolation. This is a book for any Christian who is struggling with a sudden loss of friendship, or who is carrying the weight of leadership in ministry .... any pain or burden, really. Through his own personal journal and spiritual directives, Nouwen reminds us of God's inner voice of love and the ways in which we can return to the "abiding place." I have recommended this little book to many people in my church and I know four who have ordered it. They have come back to me with glowing reviews! I will continue to recommend it!

Once again, Henri Nouwen brings us closer to his own heart and to the heart of God. His journey, a journey of anguish, leads ultimately to freedom. As he wrestles with the God who formed him, with the inner struggles that shape him, with the world that confines him, he struggles to fuller understanding of self, and in the process, a fuller understanding of God. For this reader, I am fortunate to have spiritual guides like Nouwen who have led me through the valley to the bright morning of renewed strength, of victory over the darkness of the closet, and of freedom in the spirit of Christ. When I read the chapter on 'Bringing your Body Home to God,' I had the most intense spiritual experience of my life, as I brought what I had seen, up to that time, as my imperfect body, the body of a gay man, home to God and had him receive me "Just as I Am," His child, created to enjoy His world and His gifts.There is no question that one of those gifts is Henri Nouwen. I encourage any reader who is suffering the anguish of darkness in his or her spirit -- pick up this little book and let your journey move forward to resolution. Freedom has a price, but the joy far outweighs the costs!

SELF LOVE IS SOMETHING WE ALL NEED

We all have suffered. Don't allow your suffering to victimize you but instead transform your person for your new life.

This book has ministered God's love to me so much over so many years. Everyone who wants a deeper touch of Gods intimate love should read this. What a beautiful journal from a wonderful man.

no complaints at all!

“the great challenge is living your wounds through instead of Thinking them through.it is better to cry than to worry, Better to feel your wounds deeply than to understand them, Better to let them enter into your silence than to talk about them”-Henri Nouwen“the simple fact that you are more aware of your wounds show that you have sufficient strength to face them” -Henri NouwenWhat I like about this book is the rawness of the pain, the author himself faced personally and how he came out of that heart breaking emotion while writing in this journal. It is this rawness that has resonated with people who have come in contact with this book and changed lifes,including me.This book was written when the author was going through some personal issues and writing has been his only solace. Once he made peace with his pain, his journal writing surprised him, as he didn’t know how he came up with the nuggets of wisdom buried within him..I firmly believe that certain books come to into your life when u are searching for them …call it synchronicity but this book came into my life when I was in dire need of such uplifting, soothing words to mend my broken soul. Anyone who has ever been heartbroken, this book will resonate with you a lot.Although it is less than 150 pages…I suggest you to read one entry at a time,as it was written…try to savor every word and the message it conveys….u will have a renewed energy to face life once again armed with peace and well being.You may not heal completely but this book will mend your soul and u will be willing to give life another chance and trust your inner voice. That is the beauty of literature; you tend to find strength in someone else’s strength. Knowing the fact that the author himself has gone through the similar pain, you take courage in that and try to move on with life and put your past behind you. Everyone goes through a heart break and it may look like you will be consumed by this pain, but this book gives you hope by showing you and guiding you gently that you are not alone in this,. That’s the beauty of this book…it doesn’t command …it guides you like your best friend and encourages you to pick yourself up and face the world again and to keep trusting that small little voice.I still keep going back to this book and read all my highlighted passages (practically most of the book) as it nourishes my soul.

The author has gone through a very hard path and journey through desert. Recommend to anyone going through the same journey. Touching, healing, God's inspiration