Holding on to God's Hand
Ways to Relieve Stress, Worry and Fear
By Deacons Eddie Ensley Ph.D. & Robert Herrmann
PAULINE PUBLICATIONS
143 Waterfield Road, Bandra West, Mumbai 400052 - www.paulineindia.org
ISBN 978-93-93782-32-8 / 2024 / Pp 128 / Rs 170
The Lord, our caring God, says: "I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand, and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you" (Is 41:13). Indeed! "If you picked up this book, likely either you or someone you love is passing through rough times. Perhaps the problem is the constant stress and worry that are easy to feel in this chaotic world of ours. Maybe it is past hurts that left you broken, and nag at you even today. It could be the weight of losing someone you loved or a dream you had dearly hoped for. Sadly, for a great many of us, it is all these things." So saying, Deacons Eddie Ensley and Robert Herrmann, from their lucid understanding of a range of human emotions and situations, offer the reader due solace and help in HOLDING ON TO GOD'S HAND (p 11). And how!
Given the tumultuous times we live in, we need the reassurance that there certainly is hope for us. That is the desperate need this meditative book fulfils, providing the reader as it does a roadmap of sorts to enter with ease the safety of that sacred space in one's life where one can meet God, and thus comfortably overcome the emotions that rob us of our happiness and peace.
A book with a timeless message, yet just in time to help us see for ourselves why He came to earth at all, viz. to ensure that we have the satisfaction of duly seeking rest in God, rather than become consumed by the stress surrounding us. The simple structure of HOLDING ON TO GOD'S HAND offers clarity on how to turn to the Lord for help to deal with the 'chaos' we face and begin a healing process. Each chapter, appropriately titled, opens with a brief dissertation on the theme, leading the reader to prayer. And then the piece de resistance! The tips in the Spirit-guided meditation that follows is what will enable you to see the troubles and travails of life in a strikingly new light. In time, you will begin to awaken to the wonder of God within, even as you find yourself setting foot on the road to a happier, more fulfilling life by way of a deeper relationship with God.
Each page of this book, so to say, is meant to wrap you in the love of God. So rest assured, when you are worried and anxious, stressed to the point of fear and uncertainty, the contents of HOLDING ON TO GOD'S HAND have a way of calming and reassuring us – the warmth of a friend's hand clasped in ours can ease our stress, a silent though soothing, comforting voice settling us down.
Finally, the bonus feature of the book! There is no specific order in which you are expected to read the text. Instead, you are encouraged to look up the 'Contents' to choose from the 38 topics that appeal to you in your particular situation or emotion at any given point of time, and thus know what it is to hold on to God's hand, and never let go of it!
LADISLAUS LOUIS D'SOUZA