Coping with Estrangement: A Christian’s Perspective on Learning to Live with Estrangement

By Amanda Libbers

This book is about how to handle coping with estrangement as one person to another being the estranged. It does not cover estrangement in the form of marriage or divorce, or being estranged from a friend. While it is possible for multiple estrangements to occur simultaneously, the book one focuses on one person to another. It uses the bible, and information that I learned from the Holy Spirit to the reader learn to live with estrangement, and improve the quality of their lives at the same time. The book contains journal entries that the reader can do if they choose. This book is motivational, inspirational, and is not a behavioral science approach to coping with estrangement, but is solely a Christian’s perspective.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9781973676126

Amanda Libbers

Author Amanda Libbers is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She graduated from University Laboratory School, class of 1999 with a high school diploma. She graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2004 with a bachelor of science degree in family consumer science with a concentration in family studies. In 2009, she graduated from medical training college with a certificate of completion in medical office specialist. Ms. Libbers held a national license to bill and code from January 2010 through January 2012 under the National Healthcare Association. Ms. Libbers says, “While I have not done much with my life since college, and I have not really had any clear direction to take in life, I have always enjoyed writing a short story or poem whenever I get inspired. I have enjoyed writing this book because I enjoy writing poetry. I hope you found this book of poetry to be uplifting, and I hope it brought out mainly positive emotional responses from within you. I enjoy making a difference in other people’s lives no matter how small. I believe that anyone is capable of making a difference in people’s lives from day to day, no matter how small it is.” Ms. Libbers implores you, “Don’t forget to ask yourself how you can help someone else in need today!”

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 by Amanda Libbers.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

The information, ideas, and suggestions in this book are not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before following any suggestions contained in this book, you should consult your personal physician or mental health professional. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising as a consequence of your use or application of any information or suggestions in this book.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Interior Image Credit: Amanda Libbers

ISBN: 978-1-9736-7611-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-7613-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-7612-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019915241

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/2/2019

Contents

Acknowledgments

PART 1: Dealing with the Initial

Phases of Estrangement

Chapter 1 The Definition of Estrangement and Being in Right Standing with God

Chapter 2 Recovering from the Initial Shock of Estrangement

Chapter 3 The Initial Feelings of Anxiety

Chapter 4 Dealing with Feelings of Hopelessness and Depression

Chapter 5 Coping with Suicidal Ideation

PART 2: Learning to Live

with Estrangement

Chapter 6 Dealing with Anger

Chapter 7 Forgiveness

PART 3: The Answer to

Lifelong Estrangement

Chapter 8 Suggested Coping Mechanisms

Chapter 9 Finding Hope through Peace

Chapter 10 The Key to Successfully Living with Estrangement

Bibliography

About the Author

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

GOD’S WORD is a copyrighted work of God’s Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture taken from the American Standard Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

About the Book

This book is about how to handle coping with estrangement as one person to another being the estranged. It does not cover estrangement in the form of marriage or divorce, or being estranged from a friend. While it is possible for multiple estrangements to occur simultaneously, the book one focuses on one person to another. It uses the bible, and information that I learned from the Holy Spirit to the reader learn to live with estrangement, and improve the quality of their lives at the same time. The book contains journal entries that the reader can do if they choose. This book is motivational, inspirational, and is not a behavioral science approach to coping with estrangement, but is solely a Christian’s perspective.

To all who

are suffering from estrangement and do not wish to be.

To those who wish to