In the darkest corners of our lives, where sorrow, trauma, grief and pain reside, there exists a profound capacity for resilience and hope. Telling Stories in the Dark by Jeffrey Munroe is a uniquely inspiring non-fiction book that illuminates the transformative power of sharing our most profound experiences of suffering.
Within the pages of this remarkable compilation, you will encounter the stories of ordinary individuals who, when confronted with profound adversity, chose to do something extraordinary: they transformed their pain. Munroe, a skilled storyteller and compassionate guide, takes us on a poignant journey through the lives of these remarkable individuals who have harnessed the redemptive potential of their suffering, what Munroe's mentor Frederick Buechner calls "the stewardship of pain."
When we tell our stories, and when we listen well to each other's stories, we discover much about what it means to be human. We discover there are others like us. We discover our feelings aren't unusual. We discover we aren't alone. And sometimes we discover God in the midst of our stories.
In the Foreword, Sarah Arthur, the author of a dozen of her own inspiring books, describes Telling Stories in the Dark as helping readers to rediscover "a faith that finds itself in the dark. Here in these pages, that's what you'll find. Story after story of those who walk a similar road. Conversations with those who suffer about how they do -- or don't -- experience the God who promises never to leave us nor forsake us. Before intellectually exploring any of his chosen topics, Jeff embeds those topics in the lived reality of ordinary people on their worst possible days. Because this is where God meets us."
Karen Mulder, founder of the Wisdom of the Wounded ministry, writes: "Jeff Munroe is a masterful storyteller, brilliantly weaving together the compelling real-life stories of individuals who've been wounded by tragedy with experts' commentary on how to find insight, hope and healing from each narrative. We all experience deep loss at some point in our lives, and Telling Stories in the Dark is a rich contemplation on navigating trauma and grief."
Among the many authors, scholars and counselors you will meet in the chapters of this book are the late Frederick Buechner, the bestselling author who is one of Munroe's mentors, plus Roger Nelson, pastor of Hope Christian Reformed Church in Oak Forest, Illinois; clinical psychologist Daniel Rooks; scholar and author Marilyn McEntyre; Mitch Kinsinger, pastor of Arlington Hills Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota; therapist Mary Anderson; Suzanne McDonald and Chuck DeGroat, professors at Western Theological Seminary; poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer; pastor Sophie Mathonnet-VanderWell; Yale University professor emeritus Nicholas Wolterstorff; and artist Makoto Fujimura.
This book is a poignant reminder that no matter how deep our wounds may be, we possess the innate ability to transform our pain into a source of strength and growth.
Through the power of sharing our stories, Munroe invites us to connect with these brave individuals, each of whom has found a unique path to healing, and in doing so, he illuminates the collective potential for resilience that exists within us all.
Telling Stories in the Dark is ideal for individual reflection and group discussion. It's a great gift for friends who are grieving, because Telling Stories is guaranteed to leave readers inspired, uplifted, and deeply moved.