This edition of the NIV Bible has selected readings and Bible studies designed to support and encourage individuals who are dealing with grief. It is clearly meant to be a resource to anyone on the journey to healing after enduring a loss.

It took some doing to find the various readings which are not indexed or listed in the table of contents. It seems that the editor assumes that someone in mourning would be reading the Bible through in a year, as the readings are designed to be read, one for each weekday, and one for the weekends. However, there is no place to find these readings listed by topic, or even by book of the Bible. This is a serious oversight. These readings are wonderful, but they are hard to find when you need them most!

The writers who were chosen in the daily readings are all individuals who have struggled to come to grips with their own personal grief and loss. Their writing, as a result, comes from a place of resolution, not despair. Though they recognize the pain of loss and grief, at times because they are coming out of the other side of the grieving process, they may come off as trite or with all of the answers. That is not their intent.

There are additional resources listed in the back of the edition that are probably the most accessible and helpful content. They are a bit dated (for example, they give a link to Kubler-Ross’ “5 stages of grief” which is now somewhat debatable in grief counseling circles .)  There are also suggested music resources which are from the Drink Deep project by musicforthesoul.org These are not to everyone’s taste, but they are a starting place if the reader needs some kind of music inspiration.

Overall, this is an adequate special edition NIV Bible. Not having a quick access to the readings and studies by topic is unfortunate. Just that one simple inclusion in a future addition would increase this book’s value, in my opinion, and also my willingness to purchase copies for future clients.

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NIV Hope in the Mourning Bible
Timothy Beals, devotional editor
Published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI (c) 2013
ISBN-13: 9780310422914
Hardcover Edition.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided this book without cost from the publisher and was not required to give a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”