Blog Reviews

Mary Ann Hake

August 5

Painkillers by Rev. Jacky Connell, A Review

This informative nonfiction book includes seven chapters that cover various ways people try to escape the pain they deal with in life. These include Isolation, Inappropriate Relationships, Independent Spirit, Idolatry, Intoxication, Intellectual Sabotage, and Insecurity. The latter spoke to me the most since I have dealt with insecurity in my own life. The author points out how these choices do not help us but rather harm us. He also directs readers to the true answer—Jesus Christ, who has the solution to all our problems. The book includes examples of people’s experiences to illustrate each of these poor choices. This book could be a good one for a discussion group or incorporated into a Bible study to focus on the help Gods Word offers to those in need. I would suggest it as a helpful addition to a church library too. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

From Debbie (A blogger that reviewed "Painkillers")

I am just writing to let you know that I enjoyed reading this book!  I was so touched by it that I volunteered to talk about it at my woman's meeting today at church and everyone (there were 17 women) said the info was great. I just underlined parts that I wanted to read, that I thought were useful and read it and everyone thanked me. One lady asked me to borrow the book and yes I let her and then 2 other ladies asked me the name and author. I will read this book many times. Thank you for writing it.

Patti Pierce

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy

Painkillers by Reverend Jacky Connell is a non-fiction Christian work.

What If the Answer to Your Pain Isn’t Another Painkiller?

What do we reach for when life hurts?

For some, it’s medication. For others, it’s isolation, unhealthy relationships, endless busyness, shopping, sports, achievement, or even intellectual pursuits. We may not realize it, but many of us have our own ways of avoiding the pain we carry. We keep moving, stay distracted, or build walls around our hearts because facing what hurts feels too difficult.

But what if we stopped trying to numb the pain and instead brought it to the One who can truly heal it?

That is the compelling question at the heart of Painkillers.

This book takes an honest look at the many ways people attempt to cope with emotional and spiritual pain. Some solutions may seem obvious, while others can hide in plain sight. We can become so busy filling the empty spaces in our lives that we never stop to ask why those spaces exist in the first place.

And sometimes our “painkillers” aren’t substances at all.

They can be relationships. Success. Hobbies. Shopping. Sports. Busyness. Even our own intellect.

Anything can become a substitute for the healing we need when we use it to avoid confronting what is broken inside us.

What makes Painkillers stand out is its answer to that brokenness: Jesus.

Rather than offering another temporary escape, the book introduces readers to Christ as the ultimate Painkiller—the One who doesn’t simply mask our wounds but offers genuine hope, forgiveness, restoration, and freedom.

The author doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects. Painkillers explores the pain that can come from broken relationships, trauma and PTSD, guilt surrounding abortion and other sins, and struggles surrounding sexual identity. These are deeply personal and sometimes controversial topics, but the book approaches them through the lens of faith and the belief that God’s grace reaches even the places we would most like to hide.

I especially appreciated the book’s challenge to look beyond the obvious forms of pain avoidance. It’s easy to recognize when something destructive has taken control of a person’s life. It’s much harder to recognize the seemingly harmless things we use to keep ourselves distracted.

How often do we stay busy because silence makes us uncomfortable?

How often do we surround ourselves with people because being alone forces us to face our emptiness?

How often do we hide behind what we know because acknowledging what we feel is harder?

Those questions make Painkillers a book that encourages more than simply reading—it encourages reflection.

The message is ultimately one of hope. We don’t have to spend the rest of our lives defined by our past. We don’t have to carry guilt forever. We don’t have to hide our wounds or pretend we’re stronger than we are. And we don’t have to keep searching for something that will temporarily make the pain disappear.

Jesus offers something far greater than temporary relief.

He offers redemption.

He offers forgiveness.

He offers freedom.

Painkillers is a thought-provoking, faith-filled reminder that the things we use to numb our pain can never provide the lasting healing our hearts truly need. If you’ve ever wondered why the things you thought would make you feel better never quite filled the emptiness inside, this book invites you to consider a different answer.

What if you don’t need another painkiller? What if you need the Healer?

For anyone willing to take an honest look at the hurts, habits, and distractions that can keep us from experiencing God’s healing, Painkillers offers a message worth considering—and a powerful reminder that no matter how deep the wound, Jesus is still the source of hope, grace, and freedom.

So if you are looking for a non-fiction Christian work, check out Painkillers by Reverend Jacky Connell.



I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.