Letting Go: Rugged Love for Wayward Souls

By Dave Harvey, Paul Gilbert and Paul Tripp

What do you do when someone you love leaves? And how do you pursue someone who has hurt you, who has sinned against you?  In Letting Go, pastors Dave Harvey and Paul Gilbert share stories of pain and stories of hope as they reveal how to care for the prodigal who has strayed.  Whether you are dealing with an unfaithful marriage partner, a rebellious child, or a wayward friend, the counsel they offer will help you to pursue a gospel-rooted approach, grounded in truth and practiced in the midst of Christian community. 

While each situation is unique, most stories deal with common themes of shame, guilt, confusion, uncertainty, and struggle.  You will understand the spiritual dynamics at work in the heart of the prodigal and how you as a family member, spouse, friend, or church leader can best relate to them in love.  You will learn how to practice “redemptive release” through confrontation and discipline as well as how to forgive the person who has hurt you through a process of reconciliation. For those in a time of waiting and wondering if their loved one will ever return home, there is a reminder of the hope of the gospel and the necessity of depending upon the Holy Spirit through prayer.  

A must-have resource for every believer struggling to love the prodigal back home again, it is ideal for parents and siblings, counselors, pastors, and those ministering to hurting families and churches.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Nov 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9780310523543

Dave Harvey

Dave Harvey serves as the president of Great Commission Collective, a church planting ministry in the US, Canada and abroad. In his 37 years of ministry, Dave was president of Sojourn Network; led church planting, church care, and international outreach for Sovereign Grace Churches; and served as a senior pastor for 19 years. He is the founder of AmICalled.com and writes at revdaveharvey.com. Dave serves on the board for the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) and has traveled nationally and internationally doing conferences where he teaches Christians, trains pastors and church planters, and conducts marriage events. Dave is the author of When Sinners Say I Do; Am I Called?; Rescuing Ambition; and The Plurality Principle: How To Build and Maintain a Thriving Church Leadership Team. Married for 40 years, Dave and Kimm have four kids, six grandkids and reside in southwest Florida. (For videos or articles, visit revdaveharvey.com or follow at @revdaveharvey)

Book preview

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CHAPTER 1

Break Glass, the Emergency Is Here

The world is broken. But you know that already. Just to get out of bed this morning, you had to dodge the debris. It’s why you are here, holding this book, seeking relief from the raining shards of shattered dreams. What kind of dreams? Keep reading, and see if any of these scenes describe your drama.

Jane loved Al, at least the Al she married. But that Al was AWOL and had not appeared in eighteen months. In his place was some kind of teenage twin; a guy who suddenly found the bars and gaming more fascinating than his family. The old Al could be impatient but he listened; he was at least reasonable. This man refused to account for his time or explain why money was disappearing from the bank account.

Jane’s friends had stopped calling. No one knew what to say. Attempts to involve their pastor had failed miserably. Al was going rogue. Jane was going crazy. I’m losing my husband, and I don’t know why.

The stabs came again. Was it fear? Anger? The ache of a soul abandoned by God? Jane didn’t know. She only knew it was always present, a constant companion—an emotional prophet foretelling the coming of more bad

Reviews for Letting Go

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

This book explains common patterns of behavior in both the prodigals and in those who love them. There are many examples of relationships gone wrong which may or may not fit your particular challenge, but much of the counsel is universal. Don't skip part three which is full of God's promises found in Scripture. It is a faith builder.