Something Has to Change...You can't put it into words, but something is happening to you. Your stomach churns, your heart aches, and the tension in your marriage is making you feel weary and a little crazy. The constant criticism, disrespect, cruelty, deceit, and gross indifference are eroding your confidence and breaking your spirit. What can you do to stop the cycle of destruction and restore hope for the future? For any woman caught in an emotionally destructive marriage, licensed clinical social worker, relationship coach, and marriage counselor Leslie Vernick offers a personalized path forward. Based on decades of experience, her intensely practical, biblical advice will show you how to establish boundaries and break free from emotional abuse today. Learn to: * Indentify damaging behaviors * Gain the skills to respond wisely * Utilize tools that promote healthy change * Stay safe * Understand when, why, and even how to leave * Recognize that God sees and hates what is happening to you Trying harder to be a perfect fantasy wife won't help fix what's wrong with your marriage. Now initiate some changes that can. "Women in an emotionally abusive marriage do not need another book on how to have a good marriage; those books rub salt in raw wounds. No, they desperately need this book so that they can diagnose just how bad their marriage is and then, with Leslie's clear expertise, develop a plan that will either begin to turn their marriage around...or give them a wise route of escape." -Dee Brestin, author of Idol Lies and The Friendships of Women

Leslie Vernick, counselor and social worker, has witnessed the devastating effects of emotional abuse. Many, including many in the church, have not addressed this form of destruction in families and relationships because it is difficult to talk about. With godly guidance and practical experience, Vernick offers an empathetic approach to recognizing an emotionally destructive relationship and addresses the symptoms and the damage with biblical tools. Readers will understand how to: Reveal behaviors that are meant to control, punish, and hurtConfront and speak truth when the timing is rightDetermine when to keep trying, when to get outGet safe and stay safeBuild an identity in Christ

This practical and thorough resource will help countless individuals, families, and churches view abuse from God's perspective and understand how vital it is for victims to embrace His freedom from the physical, emotional, spiritual, and generational effects of emotionally destructive relationships.

Do You Need Greater Self-Esteem–Or Something Else Entirely?

Western culture increasingly emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-esteem. Many of us believe we must “find” ourselves–and feel good about what we see–before we can experience significant spiritual growth. Focusing so much on ourselves, however, distracts us from pursuing the only source of true fulfillment. Do we, as God’s people, really need to love ourselves more? Or is there a wiser, biblical path that can lead us to joy that is not self-centered and fleeting, but God-focused and lasting?

Challenging the current fascination with self esteem, Leslie Vernick answers these questions and others that trip up Christians today. Offering surprising insights and practical helps that can make a real difference in your life, she shows how you can experience greater personal, relational, and spiritual growth while humbly adoring and glorifying your God.

You Know It in Your Head.
Now, Let It Live in Your Heart.

Despite the abundant availability of both self-help books and Bible study materials, many of us find it difficult to apply what we learn, to make that long head-to-heart journey of change. When we are faced with life’s daily trials, our responses often lack the Christian maturity we desire–showing us clearly just how far we have to go. Is it possible to achieve a deeper, more permanent change of heart?

Discover the Principle that Could Transform Your Life.

Now, through one practical, simple-to-understand and easy-to-remember model, you can:

• Gain a new perspective on the troubles God allows in your life.

• Come to better understand your response to those trials.

• Discover the underlying idols that hamper your efforts to change.

• Learn how to discern the truth of God’s Word.

• Develop the heart response that will draw you closer to God.

Come on a journey of personal growth and spiritual discovery as your heart is drawn back to a central tenet of the Gospel: Truth isn’t something you learn, but Someone you know. And the Truth will set you free.

Learn to convert your "head knowledge" to "heart knowledge" using a practical, easy-to-remember model called T.R.U.T.H.! Reinforce your daily devotions with this applied learning system and you'll gain new perspective on Troubles; cultivate a better Response to trials; banish Underlying idols; embrace the Truth of Scripture; and develop a faith-building Heart response! 224 pages