There have been both natural and man-made disasters throughout history, but fires, floods, and mass shootings seem to be daily events in the twenty-first century. On the scenes of catastrophes are men and women willing to hand out coffee and blankets, provide medical attention, put out fires, and listen to the survivors. Johnson, an openly gay hospital chaplain and one of the founders of the Spiritual Care function in the American Red Cross, has himself comforted survivors at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, counseled AIDS patients, and provided spiritual help to 9/11’s first responders. In this thoughtful book, he uses his experiences to lay out guidelines for offering solace and support to victims and caregivers alike the first day, first week, even the first year following a disaster. . . . Opportunities to help are all around, and Johnson suggests ways to reach out to others who are suffering loss, illness, and loneliness. Disasters will continue, and Johnson’s informative and moving book will help readers offer succor.

Booklist, Starred Review

Whether you’re interested in psychology, a community organizer or planner, or are just looking for ways to help others or yourself, “Finding Comfort During Hard Times” is an important, thoughtful, and well-researched resource.”

The Register-Herald

Earl Johnson learned the hard way how to minister comfort in the worst of circumstances. He did it. In Finding Comfort during Hard Times, Johnson uses his experiences in the aftermath of catastrophe and unbearable loss to share the art of comfort, for those who need it and those who want to offer it. A timely read in a world where comfort is in short supply.

Candy Crowley, Journalist

We live in very troubling times, unfortunately. So many people are in serious need of help and real healing. Earl Johnson has written a book for them and for our times. Finding Comfort, written with great empathy and clarity, will be an invaluable resource for victims of trauma and disasters.

James Reginato, Writer-at-Large, Vanity Fair

Earl Johnson has written a thoughtful and helpful book for anyone who serves as a chaplain.

Harry Baker Adams, Dean, The Divinity School, Yale University

The world around us has changed so much in recent years with greater frequency of events tied to terrorism, weather calamities and conflict. All of us need to be better prepared for the real world. That’s exactly the course that Earl Johnson masterfully charts in Finding Comfort.

Scott Widmeyer, Founding Managing Partner and Chief Strategy Officer, Finn Partners