One of the things I truly appreciate about Joyce Meyer is how she combines God's Word with her down-to-earth writing. In Healing the Soul of a Woman, she shares her story, the story of others who have faced challenges, and Scripture to help the reader grow in their own healing from God. There is a lot of practical advice in this book. However, as a person of faith I found myself disappointed in the overreliance on limited personal experiences of the author and "because as a Christian I say so" rationalization of the approaches in this book. Many statements are not even based on biblical reference but rather feel good statements that are conflated with what's actually in the Bible. She also makes sweeping generalization statements as if they are known truths without delving into why she thinks the statements are true. There are scriptures in God’s Word that assure us He wants to heal and restore our wounded souls… For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: 'It is Zion, for whom no one cares!'— Jeremiah 30:17 (ESV) Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child].— Psalm 27:10 (AMP) And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose.— Acts 9:34 (ESV) And if you will choose to trust God completely and take steps of faith, one day at a time, you can move forward into the great life God has planned for you!

Meyer reminds us that God will use the painful things we have experienced if we let Him. Healing is a process, taking diligence and time. She gives practical steps and techniques as well as personal examples of the way it all works. Meyer is honest in letting readers know of her own successes and failures along the way. Can a woman who has been deeply hurt by life's circumstances be healed, heart and soul? If she has been wounded by a man she loved and trusted, can she love and trust again? As a woman who endured years of abuse, abandonment, and betrayal by those closest to her, Joyce Meyer can answer with a resounding "yes!" I also read this book to get a better understanding of some of the challenges women face. My friend was reading it and after reading it and knowing some of what she is struggling with I believe this book will do more harm than good due to basing so much of the teaching on a supposed prosperity on earth for people of faith that is not promised in the Bible. In my experience the false expectation that many Christian texts present, that doing the right thing will make your life easy and there won't be any challenges or difficulties if they act the right way, it's actually harmful and leaves people disappointed that promises that are never made in the Bible go unfulfilled. I also thought the text was light on women specific issues.Boundaries are necessary; encourage others; teach our kids that they are special before the bullies scare them; and always try no matter how nervous you are. We all go through hardship and experience pain in our lives. And we have a choice to make about how we will respond to it:

Healing the Soul of a Woman is a Christian Living book by author Joyce Meyer. I love the cover of this book, so inviting! I believe the author wrote this book so women can see themselves as wholly loved by God. Joyce Meyer says women have infinite worth and value. Much of what is written in this book is not new but I would recommend it to women who have been hurt and in need of healing, alongside the Bible. Whether you had loving parents or not, think about what it means for God to adopt you as His own daughter. I also find it curious that author Joyce Meyer rarely gives specific examples of trials in her life. She will say, "I recently went through something that was troubling me and stealing my peace," but she doesn't like to reveal details. I don't need a play-by-play of every petty moment, but sometimes those details hold all the power. If Jesus has taught us anything, it's that a good story is how you get people to relate to your situation, to empathize with and learn from you. Without that human element, her advice often rings hollow. I need to do it God’s way. If the “someone” acts my reaction is a defensive blow and bitterness. I never pictured my life this way. It is what it is. I was talking to my best friend regarding a negative review of this book because she wanted gory details. Another reviewer said surely she’d never listened to Joyce’s podcasts and read other books because it’s all laid out. He was a man and wished he hadn’t read some of details. I’m like why does it matter? Then she told me people enjoy the details to know how you have survived. Oooooooo

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When we stand up for ourselves we are not trying to control what other people do, but rather we are controlling what they do to us.” Joyce’s programs, Enjoying Everyday Life and Everyday Answers with Joyce Meyer, can be seen around the world through television, radio, and the Internet. Joyce has authored more than 100 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages and over 65 million of her books have been distributed worldwide. She teaches in cities across America as well as internationally. Joyce Meyer Ministries has offices in nine countries. This book may just be Meyer's best. She includes much of what she has written in her other books in this one. If you have not read anything from Meyer, this is a good place to start. Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, Joyce’s books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, Joyce teaches on a number of topics with a particular focus on how the Word of God applies to our everyday lives. Her candid communication style allows her to share openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives. Each chapter begins with either a famous quote or a bit of scripture. My favorite quote from the book is: ‘What comes easy won’t last, what lasts won’t come easy.’ ~ Author Unknown (p. 194)