Denise J. Hughes - Sensitive and Strong: A Guide for Highly Sensitive Persons and Those Who Love Them

Table of Contents

This book is, quite simply, brilliant. Readers will love the spot-on reminders that God absolutely knew what He was doing when He created sensitive and strong people. If you have ever been called sensitive, and if youve ever felt defective because of it, this empowering book is a must read.

Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of Its All Under Control and The Happiness Dare

Denise and Cheris passion to help women discover the surprising strengths of their tender hearts, combined with personal stories they share, matched with actionable ideas, give women a voice and the courage to flourish. Tender hearts will be lifted, strengthened, and freed.

Bonnie Gray, author of Whispers of Rest

Im thrilled to finally have a biblically grounded book I can give someone who is an HSP or who loves an HSP, confident that theyll find solid information, practical guidance, and a new sense of freedom and acceptance as they no-doubtedly inhale this amazing resource.

Kathi Lipp, bestselling author and speaker

Its been a game changer to discover that my husband and one of our daughters are Highly Sensitive Persons. If you, too, have an HSP in your family (and the odds are you do!), Sensitive and Strong is your go-to guide. Denise and Cheri help you understand your HSPs unique wiring, accept them for who God created them to be, and appreciate how their perspective enriches your life.

Jill Savage, author of No More Perfect Moms and No More Perfect Marriages

As an HSP I appreciate that Denise and Cheri go beyond biology to address every part of who we arepsychological, emotional, social, and, most of all, spiritual. Its powerful to know God made HSPs intentionally and with a purpose.

Holley Gerth, counselor, life coach, and bestselling author of Youre Already Amazing

If you are an HSP, this book is a must read. Not only will it help you feel less alone, but it will also give you practical tools, suggestions, and encouragement to thrive as a highly sensitive person.

Crystal Paine, New York Times bestselling author and founder of MoneySavingMom.com

Reading Cheri and Denises honest stories and gentle wisdom feels like sitting with two empathetic mentors and realizing, Finally, women who get it and are setting examples that I want to follow . This is a book that I plan to keep within reach.

Jeanette Hanscome, author of Suddenly Single Mom

This book is a transformational handbook specifically for HSPs who want to cultivate a growth mindset, recognize their superpower(s), and serve God with their inherent gifting.

Chris Moss, author, speaker, and founder of Mentor Prep Academy

In a culture where sensitivity is synonymous with weakness, Sensitive and Strong is the battle cry of the deep feeler. The empathy and honest revelation within these pages allowed me to discover the strength in my own reactivity and embrace my natural wiring as a gift from God.

Jennifer Bryant, PracticalFamily.org

Cheri and Denise lead us to whats truly essential for our HSP lives. Sensitive and Strong is more than a prescription for self-care. Its a holistic plan to make our lives matter by reaching out to others with our unique wiring.

Amy Carroll, Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and writer, author of Breaking Up with Perfect and Exhale

In Sensitive and Strong , Denise and Cheri gently guide the reader from accepting the beauty of how God uniquely created them to demonstrating how this sensitivity can be used as a super power for God and for good. What a beautiful gift.

Jenn Buell, TED Talk presenter and blogger at jennbuell.com

If you grew up hearing youre too sensitive, youll find kindred spirits in Cheri Gregory and Denise Hughes. Sensitive and Strong provides an eye-opening catalyst for recognizing whether or not you are an HSP. But it doesnt leave you with that label: Cheri and Denise help you replace negative reactions with intentional healthy choices, providing memorable examples and biblical suggestions for when you feel overwhelmed.

Gretchen Louise, founder of Kindred Grace

Whether you rejoice in your highly sensitive status or reject it, Denise and Cheri understand! They share science that shows how God created you and offer practical advice so you can live your life glorifying God and loving others, while honoring who you are.

Kendra Burrows, college instructor and blogger

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Verses marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Cover design by Leah Beachy

Published in association with the literary agency of The Steve Laube Agency, LLC, 24 W. Camelback Rd. A-635, Phoenix, Arizona 85013.

Sensitive and Strong

Copyright 2019 by Denise J. Hughes and Cheri Gregory

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97408

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-6923-9 (pbk)

ISBN 978-0-7369-6924-6 (eBook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Hughes, Denise J., author.

Title: Sensitive and strong / Denise J. Hughes and Cheri Gregory.

Description: Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2019. | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019014960 (print) | LCCN 2019022307 (ebook) | ISBN 9780736969239 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: PersonalityReligious aspectsChristianity. | Sensitivity (Personality trait)Religious aspectsChristianity. | IntroversionReligious aspectsChristianity. | IntrovertsReligious life.

Classification: LCC BV4597.57 .H84 2019 (print) | LCC BV4597.57 (ebook) | DDC 248.4dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019014960

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019022307

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For those who feel

more sensitive

than most.

Contents

G od, why am I this way? Why is my heart wide-open to the hurts and disappointments of others? Why do I find myself moved by their pain? Why am I more prone to contemplative introspection than to spontaneity? Why is risk-taking not woven into my DNA? Is this all part of your divine plan for my life, or is it a genetic disposition I will forever battle to correct?