The Cry of the Soul: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions about God

I'm naturally an introspective person, particularly when it come to my negative emotions, and I've long taken those troublesome feelings to God in prayer. But this book totally changed the way I pray about these emotions, and provided me with so many helpful insights. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to grow.This is one of those books that you don't want to read more than a chapter or two of at a time. You need to stop and think and pray. It's that good. I'm glad I read this book early in my marriage, because its insights are still helping me through the turmoil of being so emotionally close.An outline of the content:Cry of the Soul models the major negative emotions as responses to three different relational movements: against, away, toward. Each movement can provoke a fight response or a flight response:--movement against = attack ==> anger or fear--movement away = abandonment ==> jealousy or despair--movement toward = love ==> contempt/shameThe authors treat each emotion in two chapters, one on its ungodly manifestation and one on its Godly version. They lovingly confront the reader with insightful truths, and provide helpful counsel on how to pray through emotions in a way that truly puts God at the center.It's not a how-to book, but a book of wise confrontation and hope. Invest the time it takes to read Cry of the Soul, and you will be richly rewarded.

The Cry of the Soul is by far one of the most impactful books of Christian literature I have ever read, combining some of the most profound and yet basic truths. Profound in that it has moved me to consider and act on the areas of my idolatrous heart where I have yet to allow the true God to intervene and heal me. Basic, because frankly the truth found in this book is nothing new, but draws from scripture practical truth that has been there all along.This book is a breath of fresh air for the Christian who struggles to understand and walk the line between orthodoxy and human depravity, obedience and grace. To break free from the idea that if only I can follow my God with perfection then I can somehow escape pain and trouble. It is good to know that God encourages us to seek Him in our troubles, and that even when I cannot trust Him in my time of darkness, He is not offended by my cries. It is glorious to experience His grace which overcomes the darkness in my soul, and although I never wish to relive those moments, and I often pray they do not return, I am overwhelmed by His goodness and mercy to provide for me. I testify to His beauty and glory through a heart that desires Him all the more, for He has sustained me through all of life's pain.

This is a book to read and reread. To study and learn.

I am just reading "The Cry of the Soul" and confess to a certain disgruntled but familiar disappointment. The authors are both committed Reformed theologians, which in itself is of course, no sin. But it is my observation that some people in the Reformed world fall so in love with the intricacies of the theological system that they draw all their nourishment from sucking the marrow out of it, assuming that this is all that others need to to be able to sing, "It is Well With My Soul." In other words, it seems that the authors get high on what may be termed philosophical or perhaps systematic satisfaction. I am not convinced, not at all. I am not convinced that philosophical or systematic satisfaction is the needed balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole, unless these particular wounded are those for whom systematic or philosophical satisfaction is what turns them on.It seems to me that without the expectation of the experienced companionship of a caring God, sad, depressed, angry, bewildered suffering people are not going to be rescued by some new profound insight. There must be something more. I believe Scripture encourages us to hope for, even expect this. But I don't see that intimated in these pages, at least not yet. Instead, the book seems to offer philosophical/theological satisfactions for the experientiallly disappointed, who are likely to remain such.Pardon me if I don't shout "Hallelujah!"I will amend this review itself or through comments if my opinions change markedly. But so far, this is my assessment.

Instead of ignoring or repressing our emotional experiences, the authors point to an alternative path. We are encouraged to embrace and experience our emotions, and, in so doing, get glimpses of the character of God. I have recommended this book to many because it is so helpful.

Whether you smash your thumb with a hammer, poke your spouse in the eye with an insult, or get shamed, again, by your sibling, this book will connect the gospel truth with our emotions as corrupted by sin. Midway thru chapter 3, I looked to see how many more pages due to the sheer terror of the torment of truth deconstructing my broken world view. Thinking I'd find some comfort, or at least a coupon, in the chapters on Shame, I instead scrambled to stay in front of the holy roto rooter chasing me through the idol factory in the bowels of my heart. By the end of the two chapters on anger, my get well, DIY plan, fell apart at the last sentence when the wrecking ball of the Fear of the Lord was teased in the following chapter. This is THE book if you ever wanted to experience, UNDONE, by the loving hands of the Great Physician.Don't wait another day; you have nothing to lose, but a bunch of dumb idols, unhealthy pain, and dispair.To the Amazon Reviewer of 18 Aug 18, "Emotions are indicators NOT dictators", please consider quoting the entire sentence that starts with "But this view. . ." is an arguement against, not support for. Their position is absolutely that our emotions are flags of our beliefs, and "We are radically disposed to idolatry, illusion- making, and attempts to secure our lives without bowing before God. Our core problem is not a lack of information - it is flight and rebellion." (from intro, next page). Yes, very much an issue of our free will. We choose poorly.

Highly recommend. Not an easy read, though, if you’re doing the work associated with the concepts. There was barely a paragraph that I could get through without doing some major digging and processing. Worth every minute though! If you’re tired of ignoring the painful realities of life, if you’re unsatisfied with a church burying its head in the sand, or if you’re just straight up pissed at God, then this book is for you.

Book arrived in time and in good condition

Used for a gift and he loved it!

Once I opened the book, I couldn't put it down. Totally exceeded my expectation! One of the best self help, life directing books I've picked up. A must buy for any person of faith!

Such a wonderful book! Meaningful thoughts on how to deal with dark emotions, e.g fear, envy, and shame. Worth reading!