Wounded by God's People (16 page)

T
his book has not been easy to write. As I have reflected on my life's experiences to find examples to share with you, the Holy Spirit has brought wounds to mind that had long been forgotten. In each case, I had to revisit the scene and forgive the wounders — my fifth-grade teacher, the boarding school staff, and others I've written about. So writing this book has been something of a healing journey for me. But it's a journey that, in all honesty, lasts a lifetime. Because as wounds are healed, other wounds continue to be inflicted. During the four-year process of writing
Wounded by God's People
, I have been wounded. Again and again. In fact, I've been wounded as severely as at any other time in my life. I have known, therefore, that God was allowing me to experience in a fresh way the insights that I have shared with you in these pages.

And He is continuing to teach me that living in my forgiveness from Him, and His for me, and mine for others, is a way of life.

In His faithfulness, God has brought people alongside who lifted me up during the writing process. While there is no room at the
end of this book to name them all, I would like to specifically thank members of my Zondervan publishing team who have truly gone above and beyond what would have been required of their position to see this writing project through to a successful conclusion.

Cindy Lambert
— because of significant writing delays, I was invited by Zondervan to return to Grand Rapids and present my vision for
Wounded by God's People
to my publishing team for a second time. They gave me their blessing, but when the team had exited the board room, Cindy, the interim publisher at that time, slipped over beside me, took me by the hand, and said she wanted to pray for me because she knew that it was going to be a difficult writing project. Her thoughtfulness that prompted her prayer and her sensitivity as she prayed have stayed with me. Thank you, Cindy, for lifting me up, and, in turn, I pray as you read this that you will be aware that our God is a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God.

Sandy Vander Zicht
has been my editor from the beginning of my time with Zondervan. She is excellent, strong, professional, and has several other books she has edited currently on the
New York Times
bestseller list. We have become friends. But for
Wounded by God's People
, she not only gave me the skill of her editorial pen, she gave me her heart. She poured herself into the process, getting much more involved, and to a much deeper level, than what was required or what I would have expected. This entire book, and I myself, have been lifted up as a result. Thank you, dear Sandy.

Dudley Delffs
was the publisher at Zondervan who gave his blessing to my vision for this book when I first presented it. He has since left Zondervan to pursue other things, but when I was struggling with the second draft of the manuscript, I asked if he would help Sandy and me with the content editing. He did. With a kind, encouraging spirit, he gave me ideas, suggestions, criticism, and applause.
He pushed me way beyond what I would have written on my own. Thank you, Dudley, for lifting me up and out of where I was before you came alongside.

Londa Alderink
headed up the marketing and design team that dreamed up the cover for
Wounded by God's People
. Her attentiveness to my suggestions, her hearing of my concerns, and her capturing of the essence of the book in the cover art lifted me up at the very end of the writing project, giving wind in my sails as I completed the manuscript. Thank you, Londa.

Scott McDonald
, as the president of Zondervan, and
Tracy Danz
, as Zondervan's publisher of trade books, both went out of their way to meet with me on multiple occasions, giving me their blessing and encouragement. As a result, over the extended writing period, the support of the team was never in question. Without them, this book would not have been published. Thank you, Scott and Tracy.

Bob Hudson
was the last person on my Zondervan team to touch the manuscript before it went into typesetting. He polished the words, corrected the verb tenses, checked the references, verified the quotes … and did so with quiet and warm efficiency. Thank you, Bob. And thank you for sharing my love for
The Valley of Vision
.

Most of all, I want to thank Hagar's God, the Angel of the Lord, for fulfilling what He promised in Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Now my prayer is that you, dear reader, have been lifted up as a result of the combined efforts of all of us. May God bless you and bring you to the end of your healing journey.

Anne

A
NNE
G
RAHAM
L
OTZ
is the president and CEO of AnGeL Ministries, a nonprofit organization that undergirds her efforts to draw people into a life-changing relationship with God through His Word. Called the best preacher in her family by her father, Billy Graham, Anne launched her
Just Give Me Jesus
revival ministry in 2000. She has spoken on seven continents, in more than twenty foreign countries, proclaiming the Word of God in arenas, churches, seminaries, and prisons. She is also the award-winning author of ten books, including
The Magnificent Obsession, Expecting to See Jesus
, and
Fixing My Eyes on Jesus
.

Friendly fire
. It's the term used to describe soldiers killed in the line of duty by their fellow fighters. In every war, the percentage of deaths attributed to this phenomena is shocking. Yet it pales in comparison to the number of human hearts that have been disparaged and broken by fellow believers — people who were supposed to be fighting with us not against us. In
Wounded by God's People
, Anne bravely and with vulnerability brings this issue to light and then gives us a solution; a salve to soothe the wounds of the offended. This book is a much-needed, long-anticipated tool that will change the future of the body of Christ.

Priscilla Shirer
,
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Resolution For Women

It's important to talk about our wounds this honestly. Anne has done a beautiful job using the pain of her past to tell the story of a loving, healing, and redeeming God. This book is a testimony to a God who never gives up on us, never stops chasing us, and loves us more than we ever thought — even if His people don't.

Kyle Idleman
, author of
Not A Fan
and
Gods At War

I so appreciate Anne writing these honest words about the deep hurts of being wounded … betrayed … rejected … and accused. I know these hard places personally. And it's doubly hard when it comes from within the body of Christ. But we don't have to just stew and suffer alone. With great wisdom and deep empathy, Anne has given all of us wounded warriors a place of sweet grace to turn to when we get knocked down.

Lysa TerKeurst
,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Made to Crave
and
Unglued

Enemies cannot betray you. Only a friend can. And sometimes, that friend can emerge from your inner circle of closest confidants. It's why the wounds we suffer at the hands of other Christians always run deep and leave scars. Thankfully, my friend Anne Graham Lotz provides wise words of comfort and encouragement in
Wounded by God's People
, one of her finest works. She answers the prophet's age-old cry “Is there no balm in Gilead?” reminding us that Jesus restores, heals, and gives us the heaven-sent ability to forgive. I heartily recommend
Wounded by God's People
for
every
follower of Jesus!

Joni Eareckson Tada
, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

Anne has written a deeply personal book. You will be moved by her transparency and vulnerability as she shares her most hurtful wounds, inflicted by those in the body of Christ. But ultimately, as the story of Hagar shows and Anne illustrates so eloquently, God is the Great Healer of your wounded heart.

Mark Batterson
,
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Circle Maker

Anne Graham Lotz has boldly taught God's Word and stood courageously for biblical principles. Even in the face of wounding criticism, she has never wavered in her convictions. There is no one I respect more than this godly woman.

Shirley Dobson

Anne's extraordinary new book encourages us to find our “inner Hagar” and set her free by the power of forgiveness. She has turned her own deep wounds into profound healing for others.

Kathie Lee Gifford

Wounded by God's People
is a book that we have needed for a long time. I know so many people who have been hurt by the church — and too many have hit back. I left the church for years because of one comment one elder made about me. It was two decades before I came back. I highly recommend this love-saturated, Scripture-based, long-needed combination of straightforward teaching and poetry, both convicting and healing, rich and deep. I am ordering multiple copies.

Francine Rivers
, bestselling author of the Mark of the Lion series

Ouch!
It hurts to be maligned by some in the world who believe we Christ-followers are haters and bigots. But that pales in comparison to the hurt we feel from wounds inflicted by those who also purport to follow Jesus. Those are the deepest cuts. Anne Graham Lotz knows that pain full well. But she also knows where to go to bind those sharp wounds. Open this book and let Anne guide you to forgiveness and restoration as she shares the pain that she has known; that Hagar experienced; that, perhaps, you too have encountered. Let Anne walk you right to Jesus, for He too knew those wounds — and He can heal your pain.

Janet Parshall
, nationally syndicated talk-show host

Why are we surprised when another follower of Christ wounds us? God's people — as all people — are broken beings who hurt others with our actions. Anne Graham Lotz brings good news to both the wounded and the wounding children of God: God redeems our pain through his own. By his wounds we are healed. Read and be restored.

Elisa Morgan
, publisher, www.fullfill.org, speaker, author of
The Beauty of Broken
, www.elisamorgan.com

When Christians cause harm to other Christians, there is often a ripple effect: you have the injury itself, then an inability to trust God's people, and then even an inability to trust God Himself. Anne Graham Lotz provides hope and transformation for this issue in her book. I highly recommend it.

Dr. John Townsend
, leadership consultant and psychologist, coauthor of
Boundaries

I love this book because it's wise, humble, and remarkably transparent. Whatever your pain, you will find that Anne Graham Lotz understands. With candor and grace, she offers the kind of help that may well heal your soul.

Ann Spangler
, author of
Praying the Names of God

Wounded by God's People
is a remarkable book that sheds light on the devastating problem of being wounded and inflicting wounds within the Christian community. Speaking from experience, Anne brings clarity and understanding to those who have suffered through seasons of great loss. Insightful and authentic, she pulls back the veil on the darkness of betrayal by God's people and offers alternative, godly responses to the wounding that has been done.

Vonette Bright
, cofounder, Campus Crusade for Christ, International

He heals the brokenhearted
and
binds up their wounds
.

Psalm 147:3

The Vision of His Glory

God's Story

Daily Light

Just Give Me
Jesus

Heaven: My Father's House

Pursuing MORE of Jesus

Why? Trusting God When You Don't Understand

The Joy of My Heart

My Jesus Is … Everything

The Magnificent Obsession

Heaven: God's Promise for Me

Expecting to See Jesus

Fixing My Eyes on Jesus

After completing this book, if you need additional resources to help you dig deeper into God's Word, please contact Anne Graham Lotz through one of the following means: