The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom

This is Henri J. M. Nouwen's personal journal, written during a severe crisis in his life when he lost his self-esteem, energy, sense of being loved, and faith in God. Despite experiencing profound anguish and despair, Nouwen maintained a daily practice of writing spiritual imperatives to himself drawn from conversations with friends and supporters. For over eight years, Nouwen considered the journal too raw and private to publish. Instead, he wrote The Return of the Prodigal Son to convey insights from this period. Friends later encouraged him to share the journal itself, arguing that his account of this inner struggle would offer consolation to others facing similar pain. The book addresses the experiences of those dealing with broken relationships or the loss of loved ones, presenting what Nouwen discovered through his mental and spiritual crisis.