I would recommend this book to nearly everyone. All of God’s children have suffered or will suffer while in this present world. I found the book to be real, honest and most of all theologically correct. It has been my experience that most Christians do not understand how God is present with them in the dark places of life. They blame God and misunderstand God’s presence with them. I love this quote from Nancy’s story, “God weeps when I weep. God suffers when I suffer. And somehow, mysteriously, God works in me, and in so very many others who know life’s tragedies, to turn suffering into service and evil into good.”
Rev. Diane R. Cox
Staff Chaplain, WakeMed Cary Hospital, Cary, NC
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From the very first page, John Baggett draws you into a world of tragedy, faith, and hope. Masterfully intertwining both psychological and faith based perspectives, Baggett peers into the lives of those who have struggled against all hope. Whether working through your own tragedy or seeking help for others, Finding the Good in Grief will bring you comfort, understanding, a sense of fortitude, and peace.
Dr. Margaret B. Patchett
Psychologist and Provost of Cabarrus College, Concord, NC
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It is a useful, readable, practical and spiritually and psychologically balanced book about every day faith and personal crises, written for and from the crucible of real life and not some “Reality Show”. It’s the “Real Deal.”
John Freer MD
Psychiatrist, Hopkinsville KY
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John Baggett touches tender places in readers of Finding the Good in Grief. This book fills an important gap in addressing real issues of hurting people. Every person will benefit from this engaging and practical writing. Professional and lay care providers will want to share this book with those experiencing the pain of loss and the need for support.
As a retired pastor and hospice chaplain I appreciate the meaningful way that profound insights of social science are connected with sound theological and faith understanding. This is a valuable tool for hurting individuals, support groups and church school adult classes. Every reader will identify with the stories shared and find help from the faith resources offered.
Rev. David Hilton
Retired pastor and hospice chaplain, Lebanon, OH
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Those who have endured their own dark night of the soul will find this volume extremely helpful. And those who have not been laid low by loss but who suspect — correctly in most cases — that their time is coming will also be helped. After reading this book they will be better prepared for the disorientation, anger and readjustment of faith that are part of severe grief. One of the author’s interpretations of the cross that I appreciate is this: It teaches us that the path to a faithful and satisfying life does not lead around pain, but leads directly through the pain and loss that always accompanies our efforts to love.
Rev. Dr. Jack Good
Pastor and counselor, Roanoke, VA and author of "Emotions and Values: Exploring the Source of Jesus' Strength and Influence" St. Johann Press
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There are times when we psychiatrists find our diagnoses and evidence based treatment responses peripheral to a patient’s experience of loss. The questions of “Why me?” and “Did I deserve this?” take center stage. John Baggett’s broad experience has allowed him to assemble a book that engages these questions of ultimate meaning in a way that would allow us to recommend him as a counselor to our patients. Finding the Good in Grief carries its readers forward in a way that is honest and comforting without flinching away from the reality of pain. It is a book that belongs on every psychiatrist’s bookshelf, ready to offer at a time of such need.
