Tragic Redemption: Healing the Guilt and Shame [Paperback]

Hiram Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2006

Written by a licensed mental health therapist and ordained United Methodist minister, Hiram Johnson, LCSW, reveals how he was delivered from the deepest depths of despair and hopelessness to a sense of freedom and peace through God's grace and forgiveness. At age 20, he lost control of the car he was driving, causing the death of a 17-year-old girl who was a passenger in the car. This poignant and engaging account is transparent and compelling as he shares the intimate details of his traumatic struggle with overwhelming guilt and shame.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tragic Redemption gives a great insight as to how to break life patterns of guilt and shame so you can lead a more positive life and walk with the Lord. It is a must read!" --Bobby Bowden; former Florida State University Head Football Coach

Review

"Hiram Johnson' experience reminds me of a guy precariously backed up and pinned against his own goal line. Through a series of penalties, fumbles, and mistakes, he was on the verge of being knocked out and losing the game. But upon further review, he called upon the Holy Spirit to enter the game and to quarterback the team. The Spirit not only gets the team away from the looming shadows of their own goalpost, but more importantly, He begins to use Hiram as His loving vessel to show others how to rally their team to victory. Through an incredibly difficult set of circumstances, God reveals His mighty grace and forgiveness." --Bill McCartney, Promise Keepers Founder

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Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Langmarc Publishing (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880292777
• ISBN-13: 978-1880292778
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,258,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Help with Emotional Healing, February 22, 2007

By 

Charlotte Clanton (Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tragic Redemption: Healing the Guilt and Shame (Paperback)

This book was tremendous. I saw the author on God's Learning Channel being interviewed and had to have the book. He's walk through the process of emotional healing is at times very difficult to read, but very eye-opening for anyone that needs help understanding and dealing with different types of tragedies.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Constructive and effective, November 18, 2007

By 

Sherry Russell "Reviewer/author" (Vero Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tragic Redemption: Healing the Guilt and Shame (Paperback)

This poignant story unfolds as a fun loving college student is driving a car full of other fun loving students. The carefree students live in the trust of an innocent bubble where life is good and the future is bright. Their bubble is suddenly punctured when the driver loses control of the car which results in the death of a young high school student, Tina. Author Hiram Johnson's heartbreaking experiences prove the power that tragedy has to shape one's life.

In a state of emotional spasms, Johnson battles his way through a laundry list of therapies, medications, alcohol, and finally a suicide attempt. The author states that for him "faith was just a mere option on my crowded menu of coping behaviors". Yet, through his trials and quest for hope, he discovered his deep faith and found the hope he had been seeking. He recognized he had discovered a complete plan for reducing guilt while developing personal growth.

The book is succinct, easy to read, and dispenses constructive and effective detailed advice. Tragic Redemption is for those who feel like they have been through the wringer as well as for professionals who are looking for a way to help alleviate the suffering of those they serve. The beneficial guide will steer you toward finding your own clarity and finding what is true for you in your heart.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Integrative, Clinically Sound, January 10, 2009

By 

J. Pruett - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tragic Redemption: Healing the Guilt and Shame (Paperback)

Tragic Redemption: Healing The Guilt and Shame

By Hiram Johnson, Austin, Texas: LangMarc Publishing, 2006. 181 pages, paperback.

Reviewed by James W. Pruett, Ph.D.

In his reflective autobiography Hiram Johnson tells his story with both courage and transparency but also models how to reframe the "dark side" of personality in order to claim redemption. His story mirrors everyone's search for wholeness, meaning, purpose, and hope.

The autobiography begins with Johnson as a college junior drinking and driving and getting distracted by a friend. The result was a tragic accident in which a high school girl was killed. Johnson resultantly experienced sustained depression, shame, guilt, doubt, and recapitulated family of origin issues that led to psychiatric hospitalization. Midst his "dark night of the soul" Johnson found grace, his deeper Self, transformation, re-contextualization of life, and both personal and professional formation.

The author models the value of engaging the forbidden at new depths of the soul while finding new insights regarding how God is actively present in the process. He describes his fears, loneliness, questions, and emptiness drawing the reader into his chaos, confusion, and pain. He finds meaning by utilizing Christian scriptures, stories of others such as Abraham Lincoln, and writings of theologians. Pertinent themes addressed include the role of alcoholism, the need for God's power, guilt as bondage with unconscious payoffs, conquering shame and receiving the blessing, common grace, forgiveness midst self confrontation at the cross, positive responses to adversity, and meaningful suffering.

This reader experienced tears of sadness and joy connecting with the writer's soul and inspired by his reflections on his journey. Thus, clients have been encouraged to read Tragic Redemption. Client reactions to Johnson's story have included identification, increased ability to articulate feelings and interpret personal process, self-confrontation of guilt and shame as well as acting out behavior, the cost of tragedy, redefinition of grace, and hope. They have recommended the book to others.

Tragic Redemption is far more than mere autobiography, sad story with a good ending, or guidebook with simple platitudes. It provides an opportunity to gauge the authenticity and integrity of one's life while asking very important questions. To what degree do I engage myself and the transpersonal? How do I use tragedy to purify and find courage? Have I been willing to travel to places where I facilitate others to go? How do I model by word, deed, and presence the ability to go to life's frightening, forbidden places? Johnson's bibliography offers excellent resources for readers to reflect further on these questions.