Handle with Care

How Jesus Redeems the Power of Touch in Life and Ministry

By: Lore Ferguson Wilbert

Narrated by: Lore Ferguson Wilbert

Whether it’s fearful side hugs on one side or sexual abuse on the other, both the culture and the church aren’t doing very well with touch. Singles are staying single longer, dating is wrought with angst over purity, and marriages struggle to not interpret all forms of touch as sexual. Even the Bible seems to have endless rules about not touching things. There is simply no place where touch doesn’t seem threatened or threatening. But a curious thing happens when Jesus comes into his ministry: He touches. Jesus touches the sick and the outcast, the bleeding and the unclean. What could it mean for families, singles, marriages, churches, communities, and the world to have healthy, pure, faithful, ministering touch? Somewhere in the mess of our assumptions and fears about touch, there is something beautiful and good and God-given. As Jesus can show us, there is ministry in touching.

©2020 Lore Ferguson Wilbert (P)2020 B&H Publishing Group

A Helpful, Humble, Hopeful Book

In a world where touch is misused and neglected, Lore offers a wise and redemptive approach.

Cried

This book was recommended to me last month when I felt lonely and touch deprived. I cried a few times while listening, relating to what was written. I'll likely play it a second time to process the content more.

Lore Ferguson Wilbert was straightforward in what she wanted to say and she included stories and examples. Her style of writing was easy to picture, great for a dyslexic and HDD individual such as myself.

It's so good to hear this perspective on touch!

I am one who grew up with very little positive touch in my life. I am now a pastor who is learning about, and growing in the power of positive touch. I am aware that many people who have been touched wrongly would like to eliminate touch as the solution, but this does not resonate with me at all. I believe instead that we should "Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good "!

Eye-opening!

Wonderfully thoughtful and compelling book on the importance of touch in almost every area of life, particularly as we seek to apprehend Christ’s love ourselves, and minister his love to those around us.

Life Giving . Everyone Should Read This Book

I am so very grateful for the sweet gift of this story. I have experienced so much confusion around touch through my short life. I come from a family of Italian Americans where touch was expected and kind. When we went to visit, it was considered rude not to greet everyone (aunts, uncles, cousins, old and new friends, even strangers) with a holy kiss. Some of my happiest memories are of holiday gatherings when we would cram 50+ people around one table in my grandmother's tiny house, share beds so everyone had a place to sleep, and be held on groups' laps. Privacy was hard to come by, and personal space was non-existent. But when I turned 9 my parents moved and began attending a church strongly influenced by the purity movement. They are wonderful people. But I felt they viewed my freedom with touch and lack of personal space as bad, filthy, disgusting, and sinful. We were no longer allowed to touch anyone, even amongst immediate family. It is very confusing to be told that the way one most experienced the love of God is repulsive to Him, and the very opposite of anything good. Those years were so desperately lonely. For the next 10 years, almost every experience of touch I can remember felt painful or abusive and ridden with guilt and shame. I began to wonder if I was normal. Eventually I formed an eating disorder to punish my body for being so wicked, for even existing and taking up space. I literally starved for affection. I now understand that it is not evil to long for a good friendly hug. It is a beautiful, precious gift from our loving Heavenly Father. The fact that touch comes with rules and guidelines and limits doesn't make it any less good. I am so much more than a dangerous sensual threat or a worthless sex toy. I am an eternal soul made in the likeness and image of a Holy God. Every part of me is the redeemed properly of my Rissen Lord. That includes my body.