Ask the Christian Counselor - When the Hurt Won't Heal: Living with Chronic Illness

Craig K. Svensson, PharmD, PhD, is Dean Emeritus of Pharmacy and Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Purdue University, as well as Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. An elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, he is the author of over 100 scientific publications and three books, as well as the minibook Recreational Drug Use: A Biblical Perspective and is a contributor to The Christian Counselor's Medical Desk Reference, 2nd Edition.

Endorsements:

"To the one experiencing unrelenting chronic pain or emotional distress, this book is a comforting first-line prescription for rehearsing biblical truth. Each chapter concludes with practical applications for the sufferer's toolbox. All of us, whether sufferers or comforters living east of Eden, can benefit from these reminders of God's providential care."
--Julia Breuninger, RN, Member Care, OC International

"'We have this treasure in jars of clay' (2 Corinthians 4:7). But what happens when our 'jar of clay' becomes irreparably broken . . . when the hurt won't heal? With compassion and wisdom born from his personal struggle with chronic illness, Craig guides the reader to a place of spiritual flourishing in the midst of unrelenting pain. The treasure of our hope in Christ makes all the difference!"
--Pamela Gannon, RN, ACBC Certified Biblical Counselor; coauthor of In the Aftermath: Past the pain of Childhood Sexual Abuse

"Sometimes when the darkness of persistent suffering threatens to disorient and overwhelm us, we need a sure guide a hand in the dark. In When the Hurt Won't Heal, Craig Svensson offers chronic sufferers a steadying hand to help guide them out of the gloom. His hand has been steadied by careful Christian reflection on his own chronic suffering. Highly recommended."
--Mark Talbot, Associate Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Wheaton College; author of the Suffering and the Christian Life series

"In When the Hurt Won't Heal, Craig Svensson shares his journey of physical suffering and loss, describing how God is bringing him through it and how God will carry us through suffering as well. This book will be a great resource for my patients and for counselees who are facing pain and problems that will not go away. I highly recommend it!"
--Charles Hodges, MD, Family Physician; fellow, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC); counselor and instructor, Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries; editor of The Christian Counselor's Medical Desk Reference

"Dr. Svensson is in a very unique position to provide comfort and counsel on this important subject. What I especially appreciated was the wonderful balance of rich theology with practical guidelines for everyday life. Readers will benefit greatly from this warm, wise presentation of important biblical truth."
--Stephen Viars, Senior Pastor, Faith Church, Lafayette, IN; board member, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC); author of Do You Believe What God Says About You?