Unmet expectations and conflicts arise, when a person is hurting and doesn't know what they need, and their loved ones don't know what to say or how to help. By the time author Erica McNeal was thirty-two years old, she was already a three-time cancer survivor, and had experienced the loss of five children, two of which she held in her arms. Those close to her were not sure of how to console her, and some well-intended comments only served to hurt Erica and her family in their healing process. For example, imagine being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, at twenty-two years old, and having your best friend tell you that she wished she had cancer too, so that people would like her. Or imagine being pressured to hold a friend's baby-a child that was born the same day you buried your daughter, in order to "prove your love" for the couple. These statements represent only a fraction, and not even the worst, of the painful words spoken to her family while they struggled through cancer treatments and grieved the loss of their children. Good Grief! is a book filled with tangible solutions for determining what to say, what not to say, and what to do, in order to love others well, through difficult times!
Good Grief!: How To Create an Oasis When Life is a Desert
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"The truth of God that has been experienced in the life of another is a foolproof guide. Erica McNeal has just this expertise from a life of perseverance in areas that may comfort us all." Tommy Nelson, Author and Pastor Denton Bible Church, Denton, TX
"All of us will eventually have to walk through the valley either personally or with someone we love. This book will prepare you for that journey." Ken Davis, Author, Speaker, Comedian and Speaking Consultant
"The title of this book tells it all. Even God can use our deepest grief for His ultimate good. If you are going through suffering, have gone through suffering, or know someone who is, then this book will be a tremendous guide and comfort for you." Sean McDowell, Speaker, Educator, and Author of GodQuest
"Good Grief! should be required reading for every pastor who wants to truly minister to the people of their church!" Kevin Baker, Senior Pastor, Martha Road Baptist Church, Altus, OK
"Good Grief! is a book that must be read! It comes straight from the heart and deals with the reality of pain and grief, but in a way that leads to hope and healing. It is a must for anyone looking for hope and meaning in our fallen world." Dr. Doug Munton, Senior Pastor First Baptist Church, O'Fallon, IL
"All of us will eventually have to walk through the valley either personally or with someone we love. This book will prepare you for that journey." Ken Davis, Author, Speaker, Comedian and Speaking Consultant
"The title of this book tells it all. Even God can use our deepest grief for His ultimate good. If you are going through suffering, have gone through suffering, or know someone who is, then this book will be a tremendous guide and comfort for you." Sean McDowell, Speaker, Educator, and Author of GodQuest
"Good Grief! should be required reading for every pastor who wants to truly minister to the people of their church!" Kevin Baker, Senior Pastor, Martha Road Baptist Church, Altus, OK
"Good Grief! is a book that must be read! It comes straight from the heart and deals with the reality of pain and grief, but in a way that leads to hope and healing. It is a must for anyone looking for hope and meaning in our fallen world." Dr. Doug Munton, Senior Pastor First Baptist Church, O'Fallon, IL
About the Author
ERICA MCNEAL is a military wife and stay-at-home mom, with fifteen years of experience in Youth, Marriage and Women's ministries. A graduate of Hope International University, Erica received her B.A. in Church Ministry. Erica's undertaking is to challenge the Christian line that states God will not give us more than we can handle, because she believes that God will allow us to be stretched beyond our human capabilities, in order to show us our need for Him, to deepen our faith and to show us that His strength is limitless!
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More About the Author
Author of The Staycation Jar and Good Grief!, by the time Erica McNeal was thirty-two years old, she was already a three-time cancer survivor, and had experienced the loss of five children. Erica uses her cancer and child-loss to equip men and women to learn how to effectively love people who are hurting, and is passionate about helping families grow stronger through tragedy. Born and raised in CA, Erica lives the military lifestyle with her husband, and two children. She enjoys relaxing at the beach, surfing, traveling, and living life to the fullest. Her official website can be found at: www.ericamcneal.com
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is truly unique. Everyone suffers in some way; Erica McNeal has decided to come along side of those who suffer and who are desperate to help the hurting. In "Good Grief!", Erica takes you through the chapters of her suffering in the beginning of the book and then leads you through your own suffering by providing powerful insights that will help you to find an oasis in your desert. The most unique part of this book is that it extensively covers the things we say and do when we're trying to comfort those who are suffering and why many of those things are hurtful instead of helpful. You will gain completely new insight into this area of suffering through "Good Grief!" I would recommend this book more so to those who are wanting to help others who are going through tragic trials of life. The message of the book speaks more directly and powerfully, not to those who are actually going through the suffering, but to those who are wanting to comfort others. (although those who are suffering are likely to find strength in the message as well.) The author writes with strength and compassion to those who are hurting.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I truly admire Erica's courage to write about the thoughts and emotions she had as she faced a great deal of pain in her life. I love how she desired to seek the Lord during each difficult trial and share what she learned with others. In this wonderful book, you have the chance to read how she uses her experiences to help you cope with grief and teach you how to assist others who are grieving. I recommend purchasing and reading this book!!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Havah
Format:Paperback
Have you ever felt utterly lost when a friend endured a miscarriage? Confided a cancer diagnosis? Lost a child?
Did you scramble for what to say? Sit in numb silence, at a loss for words? Open your mouth and insert your foot?
... don't worry, you're not the only one.
In her debut published work, Erica McNeal gives us an insider's view into the heart of grief. Offering up her own journey through cancer and childloss as an overwhelming example, she creates a rugged roadmap for the loved ones of those going through similar heartache.
Short enough to read in one sitting and raw enough to be real, I recommend this to any family library.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UPDATE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So when I said it was short enough to read in one sitting, I was referencing the 1st-edition, e-book only version. Her updated print and Kindle edition is definitely the full-bodied version; but it is well worth the extra sitting time. Instead of a "rugged roadmap", this version offers a succinct set of guidelines of what TO do and what NOT to say to grief-stricken loved ones.
Did you scramble for what to say? Sit in numb silence, at a loss for words? Open your mouth and insert your foot?
... don't worry, you're not the only one.
In her debut published work, Erica McNeal gives us an insider's view into the heart of grief. Offering up her own journey through cancer and childloss as an overwhelming example, she creates a rugged roadmap for the loved ones of those going through similar heartache.
Short enough to read in one sitting and raw enough to be real, I recommend this to any family library.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UPDATE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So when I said it was short enough to read in one sitting, I was referencing the 1st-edition, e-book only version. Her updated print and Kindle edition is definitely the full-bodied version; but it is well worth the extra sitting time. Instead of a "rugged roadmap", this version offers a succinct set of guidelines of what TO do and what NOT to say to grief-stricken loved ones.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good info
Nothing fantastic but a good short read if you are interested in the topic. There are better books out there.
Published 7 days ago by Dwight A. Lehman
5.0 out of 5 stars
She understands grief
I lost my mom over a decade ago and I still am trying to deal with it. Erica totally understands grief and presented a great book to help us through that process. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Karen B
5.0 out of 5 stars
A+ from this military spouse. A must have for your 'bag of tools'.
I had the fortunate opportunity to attend a training meeting, as a member of our base's Key Spouse program, where Erica McNeal was the guest speaker. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Stephan K. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring!
I began following Erica's story when the pages of this book were series of blog posts. Erica has taken a life full of tradegy, struggle, and loss and turned it into triumph through... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lori Morrison
5.0 out of 5 stars
An essential resource for the grieving and those who care about them
In the opening pages of Good Grief!, Erica McNeal makes this very poignant suggestion: "Learn from the triumphs and tragedies of others. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Diane Rivers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Grief! Book Review by Mal Moss
There are so many great moments in Good Grief! that I believe it is well worth purchasing for yourself and for anyone who is going through this journey. Read more
Published 11 months ago by MercedesGrace
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to Make a Difference When You're Afraid of Making things Worse
Most of us at one time or another will deal with loss, grief, or profound sickness. In fact, we may deal with it indirectly through a friend, and be utterly at a loss for what to... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Gina Parris
5.0 out of 5 stars
graceful suffering
So many people have suffered loss and illness like this, but to experience it through such a Godly woman is such a blessing. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Erika M. Lemansky
5.0 out of 5 stars
Concrete advise for helping those we love during times of grief.
Good Grief! is a thought provoking, tear-jerking, reality check for those of us trying to help out loved ones through a difficult time that, most times, we have no first-hand... Read more
Published 12 months ago by HFarnsworth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the read
This is a down to earth gritty heart wrenching book that you cant put down. Full of insight and perspective. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Corey J. Molinelli
