Living in the freedom of the Gospel. There's good news for the weary. Burnout, spiritual breakdown, depression. From the very beginning, the author uses quotes from a lot of authors that are recognizable to many readers. Among them, Brennan Manning, Tim Keller, John Eldredge, Wayne Grudem, and John Stott. And that;s just in the first few chapters. Other quotes from C.S. Lewis, John Calvin, Paul Tripp, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Phillip Yancey, and Charles Spurgeon. He certainly is well read and obviously has a lot of respect for those that have come before him.
This is a very personal story of the author's struggle with burn out, depression and exhaustion, that lead him to a crisis and eventually intensive therapy. A lot of people that go through this do not have the luxury of two weeks of intensive therapy, let alone a support group and understanding people around. He had uncovered some deep seated issues of worthiness, culminating in a story of purchasing a new shirt, one that was not a hand me down, The realization that our identity and worthiness is is in Christ, struck him many years after.
This book is divided into three parts, God Views me differently, God Makes me different, God Relates to me Differently. In particular, his discussion of the difference between Punishment vs. Discipline I found interesting. There are quotes from a few versions of the Bible, some may have an issue with quotes from The Message paraphrase. The book does state that the devil will try to convince us to believe lies about ourselves, he is called the accuser for a reason. For those that have been through a similar situation, it offers hope and advice and confidence that there is rest and peace through trusting in Jesus for our sufficiency. He is all we need.
Bill Tell serves as National Staff development Specialist for the Navigators.
Published by Navpress, in alliance with Tyndale House publishers.
I have received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review.
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