Let the Children Come: Preparing Faith Communities to End Child Abuse and Neglect by Jeanette Harder

Many people look at their church and the friendly faces of the congregation that they see every week and think to themselves, “My friends would never abuse a child.” or “This doesn’t happen in my church.” However, the reality is that child abuse and neglect happens everywhere and it is our role as God’s people to protect the children. Harder teaches us how.

Dorie: the Girl Nobody Loved by Dorie VanStone

This is the story of a little girl who was terribly abused, mistreated and alone until she found out that God loved her. It tells of how God protected her and sustained her. She eventually became a missionary. This is a good book for those who are discontent or need to see how God works all things out for our good.

No Place to Cry: The Hurt and Healing of Sexual Abuse by Dorie VanStone

An account of how God brought Dorie healing. The book offers hope and help for others who have been abused.

Glenda’s Story  by Glenda Revell

This is another moving story about a child in a terrible home situation. What encouraged me the most was when I discovered that I was reading another book by this lady.

With Love from a Mother’s Heart by Glenda Revell

It is a very good book where she gives some very straight, often hard hitting counsel, in the most loving way to young women. I was encouraged to see how God had matured this frightened, abused little child into a mature, Godly woman who gives wise counsel because of the things God brought her through

Trusting God – Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges

All the books that I have read by Bridges have been very good but this one has changed my thinking more than any other book I have read. It helped me to see that everything that happens to me is for my good and God’s glory.

Exquisite Agony by Gene Edwards

This is a very good book along the same lines a Trusting God. It is quite a bit shorter though and its focus is on trusting God when people, especially Christians do wrong to you. He also wrote another book called A Tale of Three Kings. It is an embellished story of David, Solomon, and Absalom. It is very good for those who are in positions of leadership or who are preparing to be leaders. It will challenge your thinking about what a leader really is before God. The book is very easy to read. It only takes a few hours.

The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith

The title of the book makes it sound a little trite but it is not. It is an old classic published in 1870. Hannah uses vivid stories and word pictures to help the reader understand how to rest in Christ. It helped me to see the personal relationship God has with me.

The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Child Sexual Abuse by Dan B. Allender

This book gives hope to them by helping to understand the complex feelings after being abused. It tells why it happens, what the abuse does to the mind and spirit of the victim, how it affects others in relationship with the victim, and how one gets help. I highly recommend this book

The Courage to Heal ~ A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis

Based on the premise that “everyone wants to become whole,” this book offers help and encouragement to women who were sexually abused in childhood. Through moving first person narratives, it illustrates how to come to terms with the past and work constructively towards the future. Along the way it describes the effects of sexual abuse, maps the stages survivors pass through, and offers practical guidance on dealing with self-defeating behaviors and building self-esteem. Supportive strategies are recommended to families, friends, and health care professionals.

If you have read a book that has been helpful to you in your recovery and is not listed here, please Contact Us and we will add it.