Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsSo-so for me
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2020
Universal principles but written for a female audience. Sample was not enough for me to pick up on this. Not a big deal but letting folks know.
I bought this as a renew your mind / speak the word refresher course of sorts. Certainly helpful if you are new to the "genre" but had more filler than other books I have read on the subject. Honestly, I started skimming from about 35% to 75% and then quit the book altogether.
Two general observations.
1. I do not believe people who take anti-(fill in the blank) meds are necessarily sinning. God would have to address that matter with the individual. On the other hand, dig deep into those meds and you will see that many are essentially the legalized form of illicit drugs. We wage war on crystal meth and yet prescribe Adderall like it is candy. In my BC life I was a drug addict and know full well the connection between drugs and the supernatural. I am not certain the Church is taking this issue seriously enough. I am not certain if the Church is really getting to the ROOT of the problem and so as a result looks askance at our dependence on narcotics to cope with the symptoms. The author admits that members of her family "depend on medicine to help regulate their brain chemistry". Believe me, I am not trying to be harsh or start a flame war but by her own admission these folks are dependent. Is he whom the Son sets free free indeed? I am asking the question sincerely. I am not judging but asking the Church to judge itself since judgment begins at the house of the Lord. Last comment on this point. The author says you cannot think your way out of mental illness. Well, in SOME cases I would imagine you can IF you are agreeing with what Christ says about who you are in him. Moreover, I would add that you CAN think your way INTO mental illness. I have seen this first hand watching people descend into near madness because of guilt or unforgiveness or envy. We think it mean-spirited to say people are the cause of their own mental illness but I suspect they very often are, at least indirectly. Hey, was it mean-spirited for the Holy Spirit to say I was a sinner who needed to repent? I would say it was the epitome of LOVE and TRUTH.
2. I agree with the author that community is important. On the other hand, I have found it extraordinarily difficult finding community since becoming Christian. I admit that I am an introvert who prefers to be alone (not shy, actually loquacious but exhausted by human contact) yet I know what the Word says so my wife and I make an effort. But again, as our culture even in the Church deteriorates, genuine fellowship is becoming increasingly rare. For instance, 30 years on the front line of Christian education at four institutions has provided me with only two people I would consider friends. And yet nine times out of ten I am the one who initiates contact. Out of sight, out of mind is the operative principles these days. Very sad. Another for instance, six years living in this tiny community and while we have many acquaintances, I would not call one person a friend. We have had people over for dinner at our house many, many times. Never once has it been reciprocated. Not once. We do not expect it. That is not why we do it. But you would think sooner or later... Furthermore, my wife is a giver. If it were not so beautiful to behold I would be tempted to call it pathological. And yet, nobody thanks her. Countless gifts to the pastor and his wife and her children. Nothing. Not once. Supplies for an abused woman who recently had the courage to flee. Not one thank you. My heart breaks for my wife. Will this change our behavior? No. We will continue to be hospitable and giving. So why bring it up? Because to those who say "no one ever reaches out" or "I do my part, but no one ever reciprocates", the author responds, "These things are not true!" Uh, my experience is that they could very well be true. Maybe not ALWAYS but often enough. Again, I am not suggesting that we buckle and hide under a rock but faith is faith despite an honest assessment of reality. You MAY be mistaken in your assessment but I can assure you that I am not. But again, no big deal. We don't quit doing what Christ commands us to do just because we don't "see" success as we define it.
Anyway, I hope the book is a blessing to you.
