Blessed Are the Misfits: Great News for Believers who are Introverts, Spiritual Strugglers, or Just Feel Like They're Missing Something

Written by Brant Hansen

Narrated by Brant Hansen

If you've ever felt like you don't fit into American church culture... Brant Hansen has been there, too. Join Hansen as he explores modern Christianity, the beauty of being different, and the astonishing goodness of God.

American church culture can feel designed for extroverted, emotional people -- so what does that mean for the rest of us? Brant Hansen gets it. Introverted, a natural skeptic, and an "Aspie," he often wondered how, even if, he fit into the Kingdom of God.

But the good news is that the Good News is for all. Maybe "spiritual" doesn't always look like we expect. And maybe those of us whose lives aren't full of amazing or emotional spiritual stories, or those of us who struggle to be social, confident, or happy -- "misfits," really -- have a beautiful place in God's kingdom too.

With his trademark dry, self-effacing humor, Brant addresses questions like:

• If I don't relate to God as emotionally or feel His presence as intensely, is there something wrong with me?
• What if I'm not good at talking to people about my faith -- or not good at talking to people at all?
• What if I'm terrible at praying and even struggle to want to pray?
• If I struggle with depression, does that mean I've failed spiritually?

For anyone who has felt left out, anyone who has gone through the motions, or anyone who feels like they have more questions than answers, Blessed Are the Misfits is a breath of fresh air.

 

Praise for Blessed are the Misfits:

"This book is for those who feel disconnected, lonely, or spiritually dry. Brant's writing is honest, quirky, funny, and downright therapeutic. I can think of no one I'd rather have sit down with me and say, "You know what? It's okay to be you.'"

--Benjamin C. Warf, MD, Professor of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Nov 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9780785216520

Brant Hansen

Brant Hansen is a nationally syndicated radio host and podcaster of The Brant and Sherri Oddcast. He works with CURE International, a worldwide network of hospitals that brings life-changing medical care and the good news of God’s love to children with treatable conditions. Brant lives in South Florida with his wife, Carolyn. You can find out more about the amazing work of CURE at cure.org, and you can follow Brant at Brant Hansen Page on Facebook, and @branthansen on Instagram and Twitter.

Reviews for Blessed Are the Misfits

[Mary Cail · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It rings true. I have to write seven more words. It rings true.

[Glenn Gilbert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. He is so easy to read and listen to. I appreciate so much that it is read by the author.

[Carlos Herrera · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! Extremely refreshing. A must read for anyone that desires (struggles & battles) to love Jesus and His ways.

[Michael Podhaczky · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is a very grounding read to anyone who thinks to highly of themselves

[Kristina Godau · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you ever feel like a spiritual outsider or an outsider period, you will love this book. If you don't feel like either, read it anyway. I promise it will bless you in some way and help you to bless others.

[Suzanne Noakes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brant is an engaging combination of contradictions. He's an on-air personality who is an introvert. He's reports that he's been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and works in a field specifically designed to engage with people. He calls himself a "misfit."

In "Blessed Are the Misfits," Brant beautifully speaks to the people who don't fit into American Christian Culture (tm) yet are still longing for relationship with Christ. He drags into the open the doubts, fears, gaps, and disconnects that misfits--and probably anyone who is honest with themselves--experience in the ACC (tm) and analyses them in the light of Scripture. He explains how scepticism led him full circle back to Jesus. He asks, "What if an aching dissatisfaction, even frustration, might be evidence of a right relationship with God?" He continues by adroitly linking all of the ways that Jesus connected with misfits and incisively--bluntly?--gets to the root of what the church is called to do: love people...even people we don't understand.

Brant's frank--bald?--descriptions are leavened with an appealing self-deprecative sense of humor. He also pokes his finger in the eyes of our blind spots. Misfits of all categories and even those who don't think of themselves as such will find valuable take-aways here.

BTW, do the audio book. He reads it himself and slays.

[Coelecanthe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible book!

Worth reading Christian or not.

Highly recommend it to ANYONE!

[COlby · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everything Brant writes is soooooo good. So good for your soul. This book is just as good as unoffendable and problem with us. Raw, honest, more personal and always perfectly weaving in the gospel and the good news.

[Luz Ontiveros · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brant has a unique way of telling stories and explaining things. It is so real and relatable. He helped me rethink many things in life. The things that truly matter. Jesus and His people.

[carl deangelo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I will read this book again and again! I’m considering adding it to our curriculum for discipleship of women in our church. I listened to the audiobook while getting some exercise and I ran a couple of extra miles because Brant’s stories in his own voice captivated me! I laughed out loud and wiped away some tears of anguish as I considered how I might engage people to find and follow Jesus! Thanks, Brant, for your honest transparency about growing up in the church and learning how to be the church to a lost world as an adult.

[cwhisenant11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I first heard Brant Hansen on my local Christian radio station over a decade ago. I remember how soothing his voice was in the morning and how everything he said was not only interesting but also sensible and thought provoking. I was so sad when he moved. When I saw this book up for grabs, I knew I had to read it! This book reminded me of all the things I loved about Brant's show. First, he opens up and allows himself to be vulnerable so that you can relate to him. Then, he opens your eyes to a fresh perspective of who God really is. This book was such an encouragement to me. I highly recommend!!I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[akblanchard_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Modern evangelical Christianity has a extroverted, neurotypical bent, which can lead introverts, cynics, Aspergians, and people with depression to feel like they are missing something, or feel left out. For these "misfits" who find evangelicalism appealing nonetheless, radio personality Brant Hansen offers heartfelt advice on dealing with other people at church. It is not necessary for everyone to be an evangelist, he writes, and although some fellow church members may claim to hear the literal voice of God, that's not necessary either (to me, these are straw man arguments). He goes on to say that Christianity (or, "Jesus-following") helps him with his introversion (although I think he has "introversion" mixed up with misanthropy) and tendency toward depression. Finally, to counter his self-professed cynicism, he offers a rebuttal to Dawkins-style atheism. If you like books that combine memoir and admonition with apologetics, you will find this one a good example of the genre.