Reframe Your Life: Transforming Your Pain into Purpose [Hardcover]

Stephen Arterburn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 18, 2007

Everyone needs a way to break
free from the pain of their past.
By explaining and illuminating a
psychological technique known
as "reframing," bestselling author
Stephen Arterburn puts readers
on the path to freedom from old
wounds. Arterburn realizes that in
many cases, traumas are so severe
that individuals feel unable to take
even the most basic steps toward
healing. REFRAME YOUR LIFE
instructs readers on how to view
hurtful events through a more informed
frame of reference, allowing them to look at dark
moments from a broader perspective than the events
themselves and empowering them to step into a brighter
future.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Just when it seems bestselling author Arterburn (Every Man's Battle) can't possibly produce another book, he writes one that can dramatically change lives. This time he focuses on breaking free from the pain of the past with a technique called reframing. Reframing is looking at the events of your life from a broader perspective than just the event. It is looking deeper into all the facts surrounding the past rather than to personalize the hurt. He describes the main roadblocks to reframing: stubborn resistance, arrogant entitlement, justifiable resentment, disconnected isolation and blind ignorance. He also details what reframing is and is not, and how to do it. According to Arterburn, reframing is the major step before readers can resolve whatever issues haunt them. A gentle faith perspective is woven through the book, with a special section on Reframing Your God to help readers get their spiritual lives in harmony. With plenty of real-life examples (including his own) and the promise of a whole new life if readers are willing to do the work, Arterburn has crafted a book that will delight his fans and draw many new ones. It's honest, pointed and hopeful. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Stephen Arterburn is the bestselling author of over sixty books, with three Gold Medallion awards and almost six million books in print. As a part of his New Life Ministries, Arterburn hosts the popular syndicated radio talk show, New Life Live, which airs on over 220 stations across the United States. He also speaks in churches and for the Women's Resource Centers, conducts workshops, and produces his own speaking events in cities where his radio show is broadcast. Arterburn resides with his family in Laguna Beach, CA.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords; 1 edition (July 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446580333
• ISBN-13: 978-0446580335
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #919,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen Arterburn is the founder and chairman of New Life Ministries--the nation's largest faith-based broadcast, counseling, and treatment ministry--and is the host of the nationally syndicated "New Life Live!" daily radio program heard on over 180 radio stations nationwide. Steve is also the founder of the Women of Faith conferences, attended by over 3 million women.

Steve is a nationally known public speaker and has been featured in national media venues such as "Oprah," "Inside Edition," "Good Morning America," "CNN Live," the "New York Times," "USA Today," and "US News & World Report." In August 2000, Steve was inducted into the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame. A best-selling author, Steve has written over 60 books, including the popular Every Man's series and his most recent book, "Healing Is a Choice." He has been nominated for numerous writing awards and has won four Gold Medallion Awards for writing excellence.

Steve has degrees from Baylor University and the University of North Texas as well as two honorary doctorate degrees. Steve resides with his family in Laguna Beach, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reframe Your Way to a New Outlook on Life, July 31, 2007

By 

Katie "book worm" (PA , USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reframe Your Life: Transforming Your Pain into Purpose (Hardcover)

Reframing is a process of looking at the events of our lives from a new, broader perspective. It's based on the idea that the way we think, feel and act, and what we believe about ourselves & others is based on the frames we put around our life experiences - and by changing the frame, we consequently impact our current and future thoughts, feeling and actions in a positive way.

In "Reframe Your Life: Transforming Your Pain into Purpose", Mr. Arterburn explains the process of reframing - how to do it and why you would want to - as well as the barriers that keep many people stuck in the same old patterns, even when those patterns are unfulfilling and hurtful. His use of quite a few examples, many of them personal, served to bring his point home even more.

Three things you should be aware of before buying this book:

1. It is an excellent resource for reframing

2. More emphasis is put on reframing major traumas vs. everyday stressors

3. It's very Christian-oriented, with scripture being either quoted or
alluded to in every chapter. Now, this isn't a "bad" thing, but I
realize that it may be a turn-off to some readers, so I think it's
important to mention.

Overall, I found this book to be a great resource for reframing, and would recommend it to those who are ready to let go of the past & change their future in positive ways.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Call it..."something bigger than life-changing", September 5, 2007

By 

C. Fane (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reframe Your Life: Transforming Your Pain into Purpose (Hardcover)

When I do something purposefully meaningful to benefit another person I might call it "life-changing"...but when something has happened to ME as a result of someone elses' effort I announce it triumphantly as ... "enlightening"..."freeing"..."illuminating"..."life-giving"

Arterburn comes alongside the reader in a non-threatening, non-preachy way...sharing his own experiences, obervations and God-given beliefs. His wise and witty style encourages the reader to feel emotionally safe as well as positively challenged towards emotional health. This book came at the right time for me....I was truly sick and tired of being sick and tired...God used Arterburn to speak hope into my abused heart and new breath into my tired lungs.

If you are like me and have been prayed for, prayed over, and even annointed with oil...and yet the next day still find yourself closeted in emotional secret darkness and confusion.............this can be the key that opens the door. Halleluia ! FREE AT LAST FOR REAL

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Changing My Perspective, June 20, 2009

By 

DW (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reframe Your Life: Transforming Your Pain into Purpose (Hardcover)

Arteburn's topic on reframing really resonated well with me in that as you reframe a person or event, you begin to see things in a different perspective, from their perspective. It gives you compassion, empathy. It doesn't excuse wrong or abusive behaviors, but it does allow you to forgive, show mercy and to take different actions than if you were hurt and offended.

Each chapter for me took awhile to process, to digest, as the Holy Spirit moved powerfully for me, showing me where I had so many walls and guards up that were not healthy. I began to see people in a different light, giving grace, but also it helped me to establish healthy boundaries with people, where I did not have them before.

Great book!