Customer Reviews

Arise from Darkness: What to Do When Life Doesn't Make Sense

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Next to Pope John Paul's SALVIFICI DOLORIS, Fr. Benedict Groeschel's ARISE FROM DARKNESS is another masterpiece. The mystery of human suffering only makes sense through FAITH. This book helped me tremendously when I had to bury two brothers (one killed by a drunk driver) and then my Dad six months later. I could not have preached their funerals had it not been for this book. My faith as a Christian and as a Catholic Priest was enhanced by Fr. Groeschel.

Arise From Darkness remains Fr. Benedict Groeschel's most famous book, and rightly so. It is not just for people who are grieving. It's a course on how to maintain equilibrium no matter what life throws your way, through cultivating trust in God. Most people become angry with God when something dear is taken from them. Asking "why" is not useful. It's a common kneejerk reaction to adversity, but it has never helped one person yet to recover from loss or to turn the corner on depression. The question to ask is "how?". When things happen beyond our control, we have to acknowledge that we never were in control to begin with. Understanding God's ways is not achievable...what we can achieve is the peace of mind that comes with trust. Trusting God and praying no matter how we feel will increase our faith and build up even more trust. This is life transforming. Fr. Groeschel makes these and many other points using his very readable, anecdotal style. I've given this book to quite a few people for different reasons. When I read it myself I had no loss I was dealing with, but simply couldn't miss any of this remarkable priest's books...all of them are enriching. I heartily recommend Arise From Darkness.

I have been reading Father's books and viewing his videos for 20 years now. He never disappoints! Having met this wonderful man in person (what a sense of humor, and what profound insight into the human condition), I can tell any potential reader that he or she will receive many blessings and consolations from the man's wisdom.

My husband and I recently used this particular book as part of our Lenten reading. What an awesome book to share! I think some of the best attributes of this book are when Father shares stories of his own personal experiences as well as other people with whom he interacts. That empathy is always there.

I also recommend his SPIRITUAL PASSAGES, HEALING THE ORIGINAL WOUND, and his videos ON THE ROAD TO GOD (how to overcome some stumbling blocks to our faith) and THE GATES OF HELL (about the media and its influence on faith). With good reason, he was named in 1999 as one of the 100 most outstanding Catholics of the century.

If you ever have a chance to meet him in person, do so. You will come away blessed in so very many ways. Sadly, he recently had an accident, so is now recuperating. His order's website is: www.franciscanfriars.com

This is the first book Ive read of Fr. Groeschel's. I am deeply impressed. In everyday, easy to understand language, he hits right into the heart of reality. Life is not peaches and cream, and this is not a negative confession, it is reality that comes with maturity. Though it is easy to read, it is deeply spiritual. And I like that he hits in several diverse situations in life: death of loved ones, loss of a job, financial insecurities, problems in relationship to the church, etc. there are constant reminders through out that as christians, we look first at the cross, and at our Lord who is always with us in everything we go through, just as He promised. This book makes me want to read his others!

This book has a message for everyone. Maybe you are currently going through a hard time or you know someone who is. Or maybe you have in the past and you fear that you may have to again in the future. Regardless of where you currently are on your path, you will find hope in the message this book provides.

Fr. Groeschel gives us advice on how to handle things such as death, failure of the Church and friends, self-destruction, and what to do when it seems like everything is falling apart all at once.

At the end of each chapter, Fr. Groeschel includes a little prayer for the reader to say and to reflect on. Also, he includes an index of prayers at the end of the book.

I will be purchasing this book for all of my close friends and family because I feel it's an item everyone should have on their shelf. It provides a safe haven when you are feeling down and it reminds you that God's grace is always amongst you.

Love it! I got this book when I was in my lowest point of my life. This book has helped me to realize that God is indeed will always be with us and Fr. Groeschel is an excellent writer; the personal stories and insights are a joy to read. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to fall in love with God even more and virtually anyone!:)

Great Catholic-oriented book dealing with struggles of all sorts. The writer (from St. Crispin Friary in Bronx, NY) has a fresh and realistic approach to loss, lifes shortcomings and suffering. However, I purchased this book for a friend who had recently lost his young wife, and was left with two young children. The chapter on death was a little too tongue and cheek (i.e. "They better not be any Hallulujahs at my funeral") and short on the empathy for the survivors. The author also talks a little too much about Purgatory, without explanation. What is nice about this book is that the author ends each chapter with an approriate prayer for the struggle. If bought for the purpose of working through grief, I would recommend it in conjunction with other meatier books on grief.

Fr. Benedict Groeschel is a perceptive speaker and writer. His deft understanding of psychology and spirituality make a synthesis that is illuminating and understandable. No mere intellectual, he gives a wealth of examples for every topic he pursues. 'Arise from Darkness' gives clear treatment for the darker mysteries of life: death and suffering. Like other gifted authors, he takes the drudgery of the hardest aspects of life and delivers his audience with explanations and anecdotes providing meaning and healing. He doesn't ever back down from his topic. Even the captions and chapters tell a great deal of the story: "When Our Security Is Threatened," "When the Church Lets Us Down," and "When Death Robs Us". He is as direct as you can get. He has several honest diagnoses, including "We are afraid to live, and even more afraid to die." Insightful and ruggedly pedestrian, Fr. Groeschel and his book can help us live up to his title and "Arise from Darkness".

I am 19 years old and I just lost my dad to cancer a few months ago. Fr. Groeschel has given me hope and wisdom through his clear and very understanding words. I can tell he is a man that truly does care for and love those like myself who are experiencing tragedy and pain like this.I strongly recommend it for anyone who has lost someone who was an essential person in their life.

Fr. Benedict offers time honored spiritual assistance to anyone experiencing life's darkest moments.

Father's advice is simple: i)ask God for the strength & courage to accept His holy will and ii)by helping those less fortunate we are helping ourselves. I can attest, that this approach in meeting life's disappointments face to face, certainly has merit.

I will always keep this book within arm's reach.