Customer Reviews

Surprised by God

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my life I have made some bad choices that led to consequences that nearly destroyed me. Then I learned the true meaning of grace. I was a "tormented" Christian and most of my life I had this "spiritual checklist" of things I needed to do before I could come before God. Once I learned that His grace covers me and I eliminated the "checklist", I have experienced tremendous growth and recovery. Our God is a God of second chances and I didn't think that applied to me. My heart ached as I listened to the story about the abortion, the infertility and the eventual adoption. God does restore and His grace covers all.......there is hope. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have purchased several copies to give to friends who are struggling with the issue of the grace of God.

Dr. Arterburn speaks from his own experience. Basically, what he says is that people get stuck in a variety of ways. The main one is that they do not accept things that are true and right. They may believe that it is more important to look good than to be good. They may believe they can get away with certain behaviors that bring them pleasure now, without suffering from the consequences, particularly when those consequences are down the road. These are the primary qualities shared by those who come to suffer depression and suicidal thoughts.

The way to get beyond it, according to Dr. Arterburn, is to align one's thinking with what is true. But like all others, he also says that this often does not happen until one hits bottom and is convinced that "change" is the only way out. Another peak characteristic of those suffering from addictions and behaviors that have bad consequences is blaming others.

Another thing I learned recently about prayer, and that Dr. Arterburn brings up too, is that when we pray with real intent, then we show that intent by putting ourselves where that prayer can come true and removing ourselves from people/places where that prayer cannot come true.

Dr. Arterburn's book is his story. This man made as many mistakes as any, hit bottom, and found his way back up. He speaks from both the psychological and spiritual point-of-view. Of course, truth being true, both align. He also points out many of the misconceptions of our time (ideas like everyone has their own truth, which is clearly not possible because truth must be true, in order to be the truth, in order to be like a compass pointing in a true direction).

Change is initially harder than staying where one is. But in the end, it will be better. We must each seek to know and understand the truth well enough ourselves to support others in knowing and understanding it.

(Note: I have only read the first half of the book at this point '. I'm this excited about it!)