The Wounded Spirit
"This is not fiction. This is real." So reads the cover ofThe  Wounded Spirit, the first nonfiction title from bestselling novelist Frank  Peretti. In a departure from his usual spiritual thrillers, he's penned his  personal journey through pain, disfigurement, and abuse, offering hope for those  struggling with emotional wounds.Peretti vividly chronicles how he became the object of negative attention in a  gym class, after a horrific medical condition that he grappled with as a child  caused his growth to slow. Winding throughout his personal story is a thoughtful  look at how culture shapes our perception of the worth of individuals--and how  events from Columbine to the movies reflect this.Although Peretti has experienced healing, the depth of his wounds are still  apparent, poignantly saturating each page. Yet he writes, "A wounded spirit need  not be permanent. Throw off those chains of bitterness and resentment that have  been constraining you for so long, and get on with your life." He also admits  the damage he himself has inflicted, and apologizes, noting "it amazes me how a  victim, who knows how it feels, can still be insensitive to the feelings of  others."Despite our wounds, Peretti reminds us, "We all have our difficult seasons--they  do have a way of finding their place in the overall scheme of our lives, welcome  or not." Adults and older children wrestling with painful emotional wounds will  find solace and healing here, through the eyes of one who understands suffering.--Cindy Crosby