The Exceptional Life: 8 Powerful Steps to Experiencing God’s Best for You by Stephen Arterburn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Covering topics such as guilt, shame, resentment, helplessness and a few more topics, I was at first wary, while reading the book.
Both the title and the description was eye catching, but a part of me was wondering if this was a “do this and you’ll feel good” book, or maybe too much in line with self-help books that had a Christian theme, but I was genuinely impressed with Stephen Arterburn’s, “The Exceptional Life”.
Not promising to be the end all solution, balanced with relate-able examples from both current life and scripture backing, “The Exceptional Life”, provides both experience and a casual, comfortable look at dealing with the things that can hold Christians back, emotionally, mentally and even spiritually, with suggestions on replacing them with more positive, healthier methods and outlooks.
Stephen candidly shares his own moment and from there he invites the reader in to looking at several emotions that are negative that can keep us from moving forward and with both scripture and illustration, show how those negative emotions can be replace with those emotions that are not only healthier but through trust in Christ, more enriching.
With discussion questions in the back to guide the reader or used in a group setting, what I initially thought of as, oh no, a self help, was replaced with, this is a good book to share with those who may find themselves struggling with negative emotions that are more emotional chains and preventing those dealing with, said chains, from moving forward.
Definitely someone who has severe trauma or issues in their lives should consult professional help, and the book,”The Exceptional Life” isn’t a replacement for that, but what it does do, is provide good groundwork for those who need a little guidance or direction in their lives and are personally looking for insight on what to do and how to do so in way that is positively enriching.
A Christian counselor, Stephen Arterburn has shared his professional experience in the book with a good blend of humor, applicable experiences that helps one relate or connect to the current topic he is writing about and Scriptural insight as well.
While reading the book, something came to mind, even if one may not find, any of the major areas applicable to themselves, another aspect to consider, is that, “The Exceptional Life”, could help bring some general ideas and even understanding of how someone you may know, close or not, could be going through and ways that oneself can either learn to work along with, or help encourage to overcome.
Either way, “The Exceptional Life” brings a general look at eight main areas that can sometimes hinder a Christian from moving forward both emotionally and mentally and applicable ways to move forward with grace, hope and joy.
***Thank you to Bethany for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my personal opinion***
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© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: This post contains my personal opinions and does not reflect the opinion of any organization I am/was associated with or affiliated to.The product I have reviewed was/is based on my honest opinion and was not influenced or edited by anyone / Thank you to Bethany Publishers for the complimentary copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.
