Peters-Tanksley - The Christians Journey Through Grief

The Christians Journey Through Grief is a travelogue of the soul written by a practicing physician and highly trained minister. It beautifully depicts in an inspiring and instructive way the authors encounter with loss, engagement with grief, and celebration of hope. A doctor of ministry and a doctor of medicine, Dr. Carol Peters-Tanksley informs, instructs, and pastors her readers with a sound, biblical understanding of death and dying and deep insights into the workings of human body, mind, and spirit. The Christians Journey Through Grief is a must-read for individuals facing loss and grief, and those who wish to minister to them.

THOMSON K. MATHEW, DMIN, EDD

PROFESSOR EMERITUS AND FORMER DEAN

ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY

Sooner or later we will all find ourselves facing a season of grief. Dr. Carols book The Christians Journey Through Grief is written for the person who is in the wake of despair that often follows loss. This book will help lead readers out of what Dr. Carol calls the dark valley of grief and into the healing and growth that comes through God. Our hope is in Jesus, and Dr. Carol uses His teachings to help us find strength in troubled times.

JOE CHAMPION

SENIOR PASTOR, CELEBRATION CHURCH

Dr. Carols personal journey through grief, her unique combination of gifts as a medical doctor and a doctor of ministry, and her transparency make her an authoritative voice on the topic of grief. Anyone who is going through grief, has gone through grief, or wants to help others through the grieving process will benefit greatly from this book. Caregivers, chaplains, pastors, connect group leaders, and grief coaches as well as the bereaved will find this work insightful. She explores the gamut of the grieving process from the work of grief to the biology of grief, and she does so from a biblical worldview. She shares her personal coping mechanisms and is sure to remind the reader that Christians are not exempt from grief but own a hope that is unique to those who know Christ. Share this book with those you love.

BRENDA C. CHAND, DMIN

FOUNDER, DREAM RELEASER COACHING

I found The Christians Journey Through Grief to be profoundly practical and informative. It traces the natural course of grieving following the death of a loved one. It is true to the biblical record of Gods care for the children of God. It provides specific actions people can take to move through the painful process of grieving. It is well-written, and it provides hope!

All of this is consistent with what I know to be true about Dr. Carol. Her compassion has been evident to me for years. Her scholarly approach to medicine and to seeking understanding of the emotional difficulties Christians face has led her to plumb the depths of both, just as Chancellor Oral Roberts suggested: one hand for prayer, another for medicine and science.

Perhaps most importantly she has added to her academic, scientific, and ministry background her own experiences of grief and confusion. She has made herself vulnerable to those who read this book. What an unbeatable combinationmedicine, biblical training, and personal experience. I applaud her for writing this book.

EDWARD E. DECKER JR., PHD

TENURED PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN COUNSELINGRETIRED

ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY

Speaking from both personal and professional experience, Dr. Carol presents a practical and compassionate discussion of the journey through grief that offers understanding, help, and hope. I highly recommend her work for anyone who is trying to recover from an experience of loss.

BILL BUKER, DMIN, PHD, LPC

ASSOCIATE DEAN, ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY

Grief cannot be denied. It should not be denied. To acknowledge that it exists is crucial. It is even more crucial that it be dealt with in the proper way. As a pastor for many years and now the leader of a ministry whose members are often thrust into the darkness of grief, I have seen some react with actions as diverse as selling the house, becoming a recluse, and marrying immediately. There is a proper way to deal with this monster, and no one can address this better than Dr. Carol. She has lived it in every way. And she has addressed it in the proper way. Join Dr. Carol as she leads you to victory over this most insidious foe. She does not do so alone but with a gentle spirit while being led by the most high God. Enjoy your journey to wholeness with someone who knows what she is talking about.

REV. DR. HOWARD S. RUSSELL

PRESIDENT AND CEO, CHRISTIAN HEALTHCARE MINISTRIES

Just as Jesus walked the road to Emmaus with the disciples, in The Christians Journey Through Grief Dr. Carol will walk with you through your journey to process your grief. Using Dr. Carols transparent teaching about her own walk of grief, the Holy Spirit will minister to you, giving you revelation and comfort. As I reviewed this manuscript, the Lord fulfilled the principles of Luke 24 even in my own life. I invite you to open your heart to the Lord as you walk with Dr. Carol and the Holy Spirit on your individual journey through grief.

Thank you, Dr. Carol, for being an instrument of the Lord, as we all deal with journeys through grief.

DONALD R. TREDWAY, MD, PHD

FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

FOUNDER OF RESURRECTION MINISTRIES INC.

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THE CHRISTIANS JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF

by Carol Peters-Tanksley, MD, DMin

Published by Charisma House

Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group

600 Rinehart Road

Lake Mary, Florida 32746

www.charismahouse.com

This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked MEV are from the Modern English Version. Copyright 2014 by Military Bible Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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

Copyright 2019 by Carol Peters-Tanksley

All rights reserved

Visit the authors website at www.drcarolministries.com and drcarolbooks.com.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

An application to register this book for cataloging has been submitted to the Library of Congress.

International Standard Book Number: 978-1-62999-599-1

E-book ISBN: 978-1-62999-600-4

This book contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is solely for informational and educational purposes and should not be regarded as a substitute for professional medical treatment. The nature of your health condition is complex and unique. Therefore, you should consult a health professional if you have questions about your health. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book.