From Abuse to God's Blessings

A Memoir of His Grace and Glory

Non-Fiction - Memoir
300 Pages
Reviewed on 08/19/2025
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Stewart Brian for Readers' Favorite

From Abuse to God's Blessings by Jim Kissock is a well-written memoir that tells the story of a survivor born into a dysfunctional family. While writing his story, Jim Kissock divides this book into 4 parts: the spring, summer, autumn, and winter of his life. Each part gives details of various experiences in his life, starting with his childhood. Growing up in Houston, Missouri, Jim recounts his earliest memories as a victim of violence and abuse from his alcoholic father and stepfather. Uncertain of the challenges that lay ahead, at age fourteen, he left home with the determination to start anew and prove his stepfather wrong. This memoir shows that no matter how horrible a person's past may be, there is hope for a great future.

This book was quite emotional and very inspiring. It gives me great pleasure when I read books by people who write about painful past experiences to inspire readers. This takes a lot of courage. Jim Kissock's story is a call to the dangers of alcoholism and its impact on family life and child development. Reading through most of the songs Jim shared in his story, I was often moved to tears. I also found his faith in God uplifting. This memoir features themes of forgiveness, faith, courage, and more. The writing was engaging, well-organized, and easy to comprehend. I loved that all the parts and chapters connected properly, and the story had an impeccable pace. I recommend From Abuse to God's Blessings by Jim Kissock to anyone who seeks healing from the impact of growing up in a dysfunctional home.

K.C. Finn

From Abuse to God's Blessings: A Memoir of His Grace and Glory by Jim Kissock is a spiritually rich and emotionally honest memoir of transformation through faith. We follow the story of someone raised in a home marked by violence, alcoholism, and emotional neglect. Kissock's early years were certainly a crucible of pain and confusion. Rather than remain defined by his suffering, he embarked on a journey of spiritual discovery that went on to reshape his life. Through God’s grace and guidance, he finds peace, purpose, and the strength to help others who have suffered.

Author Jim Kissock has a quiet confidence in the way he narrates this powerful true story, and he writes from a place of hard-won wisdom that shows in every line. One of the things I appreciated most was how he never minimized the pain of his past, but also never allowed it to eclipse the possibility of healing, keeping everything in balance. The book moves with the steady pace of a story told by an old friend, and it's an honest and grounded story of trauma that still manages to be full of hope. Kissock's faith journey is never portrayed as easy or perfect either, and this realism shows the daily commitment he had to make in choosing love and grace over bitterness and despair, which is really admirable. Overall, From Abuse to God's Blessings is a heartfelt testament to the redemptive power of faith and a reminder that our beginnings don’t have to define our endings, and I'd recommend it especially for readers in need of encouragement and spiritual affirmation.

Jamie Michele

In From Abuse to God's Blessings: A Memoir of His Grace and Glory, Jim Kissock shares his life journey beginning with childhood trauma caused by his alcoholic father and abusive stepfather Leonard Holloway. He describes growing up amid fear, violence, and instability, protecting his mother and sisters during Leonard’s drunken rages. Despite hardships, Kissock found refuge with his grandparents, Grandma Tennie and Grandpa Luther, who taught him hard work and faith. He recounts school life, football under Coach Seals, and key family support from relatives like Uncle Harlin. After leaving home at 14, Kissock served in the Air Force, worked various jobs, and pursued education while maintaining his Christian faith. He married Dee, raised seven children, and built a farm life rooted in biblical values. He stresses forgiveness, sobriety, family unity, and God’s grace as central to his healing and blessings.

Jim Kissock’s From Abuse to God's Blessing is thoughtfully written, offering clear and heartfelt perspectives on faith, family, and life choices. The author’s style is straightforward and sincere, making even the more complicated biblical and health topics accessible to readers, regardless of prior understanding or background. His detailed discussion of alcohol from scriptural and scientific viewpoints stands out, providing well-researched arguments for sobriety. His reflections on marriage, parenting, financial discipline, and community values are practical and grounded in lived experience. The inclusion of personal stories, such as his mother’s steadfast faith and the letter from Edith, enriches the book with real-life texture. Kissock’s conviction about God’s intimate care and provision resonates throughout, inviting readers to consider faith and forgiveness as powerful forces. Overall, the book is a commendable blend of testimony, teaching, and encouragement that will appeal to those seeking spiritual guidance rooted in everyday realities.