A Father's Letters About Suffering
PSYCHOLOGY / Grief & Loss / RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Counseling & Recovery / SELF-HELP / Motivational & Inspirational
Date Published: October 15th
Publisher: Lucid Books
"You'll Get Through This" speaks directly to both the heart and the head, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of human suffering. Through poignant anecdotes and practical wisdom, the author guides you through the gyrations of the head-heart seesaw, offering strategies to slow down the turmoil and emerge from adversity stronger than ever before.
Author Barry Gridley demonstrates:
- How the head-heart seesaw makes you think you are losing your mind
- The five ways personal pain distorts your perspective
- What tools you can use to move through suffering, not merely survive it or stay stuck in it
- How to look for what God is doing in your life when you are suffering
Are you ready to embark on a journey of profound transformation? This book will equip you with the courage, insight, and faith necessary to not only weather the storms of life but to emerge from them with renewed hope and resilience. Embrace the opportunity to grow through suffering and discover the profound beauty that can emerge from life's most challenging trials.
Interview with Dr. Barry Gridley
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
I find writing invigorating when I make the time in my week for it. There is something wonderful about seeing your thoughts appear on a typed manuscript as writing helps sort things out I’ve thought about.
What is the first book that made you cry?
The most memorable book that made me cry was the resurrection of Aslan scene in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Since it was my first book, I am not sure it changed my writing process. I will say that writing the book in an epistolary format made it simpler to write as I tried to convey only 1 key thought per letter. The reflection questions at the end of each letter were the easiest to write, which surprised me.
What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters?
I owe my many clients with whom I worked since 1987 the impetus to continue to grow as a counselor and to refine my thinking about suffering as expressed in the book. I am grateful for all the times someone first said, “I wasn’t going to tell you this when I came here today, but . . .” as I knew it meant they felt safe in telling me something they never told anyone else.
Where did your love of books/storytelling/reading/writing/etc. come from?
My parents read to me when I was little as did a senior citizen babysitter I called “Mamo.” (Short for gramma). I honestly do not remember a time when I did not read a book once I learned how to do that on my own.
I had a great aunt who taught me how to put a box of kleenex “just right” on the window ledge so it would move by curtains enough to let me read as the sun came up, long before my parents wanted me to be awake.
What do you like to read in your free time?
I gravitate to history and biography. Tom Clancy was a favorite fiction author before he passed away. I also like historical fiction such as Jeff Sharra’s trilogy on the Civil War.
Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
No, because of client-counselor confidentiality. The theme of each letter, however, comes from real questions real people asked me in their time of suffering.
Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you balance them?
Many dear friends over the past 20 years encouraged me to write on the topic. Two years ago, I cut my work week to 3.5 days a week, which gave me the time I needed to write the book.
How do you begin writing a new book? What challenges come with it?
I had thought about writing a book on suffering for some time, especially after the positive responses to 2 series of sermons I did in 2 different churches. The key challenge I had to overcome was intentionally protecting the time it took each week to write the letters.
Share a place that inspires you to write
The whole idea for writing the book in epsitolary form came from a 4 day weekend at Bandon, Oreon with its impressive coastline rock formations. The Oregon Coast is my rejuvenating place.
About the Author
Author Barry Gridley is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, but has lived in Oregon for 23 years with Pamela, his wife of 50 years. He is the father of Amy and Tim, father-in-law to Adam, and granddad to Elijah, Isaiah, and Emma. Barry holds a Master of Theology from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and a Doctor of Ministry in Marriage and Family Therapy from Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado. Dr. Gridley wrote "You'll Get through This" from his own experience with suffering and from 20 years as the pastor of three churches and another 20 years as a professional counselor who daily sits across from hurting people. His 40 years of helping people "get through this" is the foundation for this book that provides the foundation you need when you enter a season of suffering in your life.
Contact Links
Twitter: @bgridleywriter
Purchase Links
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