Customer Reviews

The Search For Significance: Seeing Your True Worth Through God's Eyes

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is my first book by Robert S McGee and it would not be my last.
In the Search for Significance Mr. McGee deals with emotional struggles which we go through from time to time and gives us a coping mechanism for handling these burdensome problems. As a result of trusting God we see the many wonderful things that can happen. The writer expounds on Self worth,
Performance, Others opinions of us, and False beliefs of ourselves which we just allow to live within us. He introduces us also to
The Performance Trap
The Approval Addict
The Blame Game and
Shame
All of these are answered through God's truth in the Bible and brings us back to healthy living along with repentance and obedience. It shows how much God cares for us and how totally he accepts us. We have not only been forgiven of our sins but we have received God's righteousness and made heirs with him.
There are a lot of people out there who would not know they need this type of book until they start to read the back cover. Trust me,it is for you as well.
Rewiewed by Heather Marshall Negahdar (SUGAR-CANE 12/10/04)

This book will challenge anyone whose willing to be honest with him/herself. It will help you deal with root issues of heart and understand more about yourself, as well as others. This book is not for the weak hearted. It's for the man/woman who has a longing to dive deeper into issues of self-worth, motivations, habits, attitudes, etc. Do not be deceived...if you're that person who has a high self-esteem this book will still challenge you in every area. I think it's for the Christian and non-Christian a like. I recommend reading the book with the workbook and a study group. I've had the opportunity to meet with several other women over the past few weeks and discuss a chapter at a time. Each person brings a new angle and perspective to the study.

This life changing book is a must read for any Christ follower at any stage of life. However, it is most valuable for those of us who have a head knowledge of the love of God, but didn't really realize that we did not have a heart knowledge of the depth of God's love no matter what we have done in the past.Sometimes the hardest thing to do in life is to forgive yourself and let God love you the way He desires and seeks after us. The author, Robert McGee sends the reader through a very Biblical and methodical look at Satan's lies that keep us in bondage that we must work to get God's acceptance and approval even if we have faith in God. The workbook and personality quizes are interactive and thorough. This book is very encouraging!

Our church used this book in a class setting. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who feel that their life is insignificant. According this book, Mr. McGee points out that God says that our lives are signigicant and that we have a purpose. Even when we fail, God still loves us. It has made an impact on my life. I have begun to trust God more and know that he loves me not based on my performance, but because he loves me for who I am. I will fail in life and so will you. Always remember that when we feel like punishing ourselves, God is there to help us up. That is what this book is all about: How significant you are to God and to others around you, even through the tough times.

"The Search For Significance" is a book that I had wanted to read for some time. A couple of friends had recommended it to me, including one in a small group I attended who said it helped him with relational issues. Therefore, I was glad to see "Search For Significance" on the reading list for one of my seminary courses. When I finished it, I was not disappointed. I found it to be very well done and a solid aid to my walk with God in the area of proper self-concept.

As with "Victory Over The Darkness", I was really encouraged by the heavy Scriptural emphasis in "Search For Significance." This was especially important, given the author's theme concerning how our self-concept should be based on God's view of us. Such an assertion required the proper usage of key Biblical passages, and McGee took care to do just that. Indeed, the author actually stated his awareness that the Word of God is our final authority on our identity in Christ, regardless of the negative messages from the world, Satan, and even from within us.

The book's overall organization was also an important feature of "Search For Significance." McGee created a solid, simple outline that formed the foundation for the book. First, he lists the "Four False Beliefs" - Performance, Approval, Blame, and Shame - that cover the major negative self-concept pitfalls which people tend to embrace. He then goes on to identify "God's Answer" to each false belief - Justification, Reconciliation, Propitiation, and Regeneration - and provides the Scriptural basis for these answers. The outline is especially helpful because it provides a concise, at-a-glance reminder of the book's overall theme that makes it easier to comprehend and apply his teachings. From there, McGee goes on to devote two full chapters to each False Belief and its corresponding Answer.

After dealing with the Four False Beliefs and God's Answer to each of them, McGee devotes the last three chapters toward setting up a continuous plan to renew the heart and mind so that one can reinforce the lessons already learned. In chapter eleven he reminds us of our new identity in Christ, and that the Holy Spirit is the true agent of change in the Christian's life. He continues by identifying five pitfalls that "stem from a misunderstanding of Christ's love and forgiveness, and often prevent us from experiencing His presence and power." Of course, McGee provides a Biblical rebuttal for each of them. In the next chapter McGee illustrates the difference between guilt and conviction in a manner I found to be very well done. In fact, it is an excellent apologetic counter to the assertion that Christianity is motivated by guilt. In the final chapter, McGee makes it clear that renewing the mind is "more than repeating some words over and over." He once more stresses the fundamental role of the Holy Spirit. But he also states that our God-given emotions can be used to detect deception and assist in change. Once again, McGee provides a helpful outline that enables one to understand and apply the overall truth he conveys. He defines this phase of replacing false beliefs and replacing them with God's truth as "The Trip In." The three-stage Trip In begins at Bondage, where we are trapped in false beliefs. Obedience is the next stage, where we identify false beliefs and choose to "stand firm on what God has revealed to us." Finally, we experience Freedom when false beliefs are replaced with God's truth.

The "Search For Significance" was definitely worth reading. I found McGee's simple, well-organized format to be especially helpful in assimilating its Biblically based message about how my self-concept should be based on God's view of me. A continual, prayerful application of McGee's methods will provide fertile ground for the Holy Spirit to guide one on their own "Trip In" towards a walk based not on false beliefs, but on God's truth.

When in your 40s your life begins to fall apart around you, loss of family, career, health, etc. you don't want to find out that it has been you that has destroyed it all. This book has opened my eyes to a cancer that I carried unknowingly, but with devastating effects. Don't wait to get well. This book helped when 3-4 years of vatrious counseling didn't even touch---it's a book that I consider inspired by God to help us. On a scale of 1 to 5 it is a 37. May God's Spirit comfort you and lift you.

I went through a difficult time spiritually and emotionally a few years ago and this book, in many ways saved my life. It gave me a new vision of myself seen through God's eyes. The author is very gentle and humane in his treatment of those with emotional disorders. I highly recommend this life-changing book!

Best book since the Bible for reformation of your spirit. It applies each tenant of the Gospel to your psyche. It has freed me to be more like a child, who isnt self conscious and shamed or guilty. Because I know that God deeply and unconditionally loves me I am freed and relaxed in that spiritual/emotional environment, which allows me to be the unique indidual who God created. This is not easy, but if you really persue it, God will use the Gospel to transform your beliefs about yourself and about Him and His ability to forgive you and His ablility to love you. It took me over 2 years and working through this book twice with a group at church for this to really start to break down my shame and guilt and my disbelief in God's love and mercy. But once my beliefs were transforming, I started becoming truly emancipated. I am so thankful for this book and class.

This book is actually a study in important biblical and theological truths. Rather than starting with the timeless truths however, McGee begins with the problems we experience because of our lack of those truths. He then works his way back to the theological principles that will set us free from the ills we face.

For example, he describes how many of us believe we must meet certain high standards in order to feel we are of worth. God's truth is that we have been made faultless in Christ, that we have been justified. In other words, in God's eyes we have met the perfect standard through our relationship with Jesus.

Another point McGee makes is that many of us feel shame, believing we are nothing but hopeless cases unable to change. God's truth is that we have been regenerated as new individuals. In other words, if anyone is in Christ the old passed away, and the new just keeps on coming!

After reading this book, I have an even greater appreciation for the new life I have as a believer. McGee presents a volume that sheds much light on who Christians are because of their relationship with Jesus. I recommend this title highly.

I recommend this book for anyone who has had a 'born again' experience but is still lacking the 'peace of God' or has no peace with God. If you haven't had the 'born again' experience yet, then this is the book to start with.

Can't relate to other Christians who rattle on and on about some miracle or answered prayer? Have you been told to praise God daily and give thanks for everything but can't? Your relationship and understanding of God is not someone elses experience! When you realize what was accomplished on your behalf threw the 'crucifiction' living will start to make sence and you will see how you've tried to find your significance through everything but God once when you've read this book. If any 'thanks' be given it will be for Gods personal attention to you as a significant member of his creation. The 'miracal' will be a manifistation of peace over and about who you are in Christ and why God gave his only son.

This book is not a 'pshycological twist' on Christianity but a pastors understanding of God. Sometimes the Bible can seem very stern, harsh and insensitive with a lot of condemnation and even indifferent to our human condition. We have a propencity as human beings to keep making mistakes (sin). It is because of sin that we keep making mistakes and a mess of our lives; God is very aware of that and provided help (a helper) for the rest of our lives and beyond. The bennifit of understanding the love relationship that God takes on the initiative to pursue will make you feel special, or better yet, 'significant'. There is no other relationship that can help us. 'Seek first the kingdom of God ...', how much clearer could it be? Seeking God first doesn't mean running off to the mission field or joining a monistary to find peace with God, one simply has to believe that God loves them as if they were his only son or daughter.

I agree with C. S. Lewis that this is not home, from the 'Problem of Pain' but I still have to live here. My hope is in Christ, I can't depend on the world for significance. Satan offered Christ worldly significance while tempting Jesus in the desert but Jesus' hope was in God. Jesus knew what God thought of him and since I am in Christ I know what God thinks of me!

Thanks Robert McGee for doing what other have failed to do; Preach the Gospel!!!!!