Naomi – The Devastated Heart
It does not matter whether Naomi was perfect or imperfect, whether she should or should not have moved to Moab, or whether she did or did not do the right things to recover. What matters is that this is not a story about Naomi’s goodness, her decision-making savvy, or her masterful self-effort to gain recovery. This is a story about the faithful God who led her back home, healed her broken heart, and restored her life.
Hagar – The Desperate Heart
It’s over; it’s all over. Just like everyone else, even God has abandoned us. Unable to bear watching Ishmael’s painful death, she pushed him under a scrub brush and crawled away. In a paroxysm of emotion—she could hold it in no longer—she threw her head back and screamed a guttural cry of terror. Sobbing, crying, wailing, she pleaded to heaven. No one but Ishmael seemed to hear, and he, too, wept bitterly beneath his bushy grave marker.
Woman Caught in Adultery – The Guilt-laden Heart
For the poor woman these were hair-raising, pulse-pounding, terrifying minutes. With guilt and shame boring a hole through her heart, she wondered, Why doesn’t He answer them? Why doesn’t He just get it over with and condemn me? But the difference between Jesus and her accusers was that while their hearts were full of bitterness and murder, His heart was filled with love and mercy. The tension reached a flash point. Suddenly Jesus stood up and stared at them. Everyone fell quiet, knowing the moment of truth had come. “If any one of us without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her,” he declared. What? They could not believe their ears.
Healing for the Heart: The Hope of Full Surrender
Amid their unfulfilled dreams and broken hearts, Christian women can take comfort in the many times when God tenderly intervened in the wounded lives of biblical women. Again and again He not only touched aching hearts, but healed them. In volume two of the Women of the Word series, readers will meet their biblical counterparts, feel their pain, and witness their ultimate restoration through God's gracious extension of His love and compassion. The stories will inspire women today and help their faith grow as they reach out for healing in their own hearts.
“I loved working on this book, in particular. These biblical women and the stories of God’s intervention in their lives encouraged me greatly. God truly does love His daughters and heals the brokenhearted. Hallelujah!” — Cheryl
Although this world assaults us, sometimes fiercely, God is here to strengthen, heal, and restore. This book proves it! As we look at the lives of various women — Hannah, Naomi, Hagar, Elizabeth, among others — we will observe their grief and pain. Afflicted with various painful heart conditions — devastated, languishing, crisis-stricken, desperate, lovelorn, disappointed, exploited, guilt-laden, and grieving hearts — these women were graciously restored by the God who loved them and had a plan for their lives. Surely, in this broken world either you or someone you know and love has already or soon will experience some form of heartbreak. I trust you will find ample hope, consolation and support through these stories. Additionally, you will find blessing and strength through meaningful “Lessons for Our Own Hearts” sections in each chapter.
Review:
Everyone requires healthy heart care, but in today's world, women probably need it most. Ford explores the heart cases of ten biblical women, as she relates painful heart conditions ranging from devastation to desperation. Hope is the key to healing and God is the physician. Unlike man's modern medicine, God offers a secure cure and is the source of ultimate healing. The biblical heart stories refresh and restore; for further research, biblical references abound. Recommend this encouraging easy to read title, volume two in the "Women of the Word" series, to Christian women for spiritual, heart-healthy care. -- Marsha Drake, CBA Marketplace
Words from readers:
I am so enjoying your books!!! I am in the second of the 3 series right now. I find your writing fresh and easy to read. There is so much to apply to my life!!! They are so timely for me. I appreciate your openness about so much. I could not believe your testimony from childhood. . . The glimpse, from the 1st book, into your "Moab" experience was really insightful, interesting, and right on. What a great example for moving from ancient days to our time. I am going on and on, but I really want to convey to you what a blessing your books have been to me. . . Linda Opdycke
I have thoroughly enjoyed your book. I have been encouraged and challenged not only by the Biblical examples but by your own transparent stories of struggle, faith, and triumph. I also want you to know how much I enjoyed your writing style — very fun, easy to follow and understand, and applicable!” KR