Jennie Allen

I like my self-help books to be very practical and I like to jump right into it. I found this book to be a little slow to get started. I felt like part 1 was just setting up for the rest of the book and I didn't find that part to be very engaging. Once I got to part 2 it started to pick up.
There were seven different principles: I choose to be still with God, I choose to be known, I choose to surrender my fears to God, I choose to delight in God, I choose to serve God and others, I choose to be grateful, I choose to seek the good of others. Each chapter in Part 2 starts with some things that we may say to ourselves that may or may not be true. Also in each chapter is a visual with what happens to our emotions, thoughts, behaviours, relationships and the consequence when we don't think in a healthy way and then how that changes when we change our thought pattern.
I didn't have any lightbulb moments about how I can stop my thoughts from spiraling but there was some really good general practices that I'm going to try to be doing more often to help my thought life in general.
I would recommend it to everyone as it's all good advice that can help anyone in their walk with God.
Review coming soon on The Literary Club Podcast
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1984185/episodes/10632384… (more)

In today's world, more so than ever, the pressure is on for us to have it all, do it all, So what happens when you feel overwhelmed, stressed, scared or anxious? So many of us suffer in silence, spiraling downward at increasing speeds as we try to hold it in and keep it together without knowing where to turn for relief. Thoughts form negative feelings that can leave you thinking the worst about yourself and/or your life. Is that how you want to proceed through the rest of your life? If you're looking in to this book my guess is you're already at your wits end, you may even doubt the need for this book, assuming its another self help guru trying to sell you the magic fix like the dozen before you've read. This book is not a typical self help book.

Jennie Allen challenges readers to fight the battle against toxic thoughts with an approach that is deeply personal, yet not intimidating at all. Allen writes in a way that while reading you feel as though you are talking to a friend; She gently leads readers exactly where we need to be, showing us what we need to see, a combination of Bible verses mixed with science which feeds your spirit while satisfying any logical part of your brain that needs hard evidence. Her message is clear right from the start. WE CAN CHANGE.

I love that the beginning of the book states very clearly that mental health struggles are very real for some and require counseling or medicine and there is nothing wrong with that she tells us. God wants us to use the resources we have if we need to. Far too many books fail to touch on the subject at all so that statement and her experience with mental health was a very welcome breath of fresh air.

This book is necessary. Vital and powerful, inspirational and comforting. Do not miss this one!

I will note that I highly suggest buying a physical copy of this particular book as the format does not come through as strong in the ebook version, which is what I received from netgalley and the publishers in order for me to share my honest thoughts with you. Even with the minor issues of the ebook being not an ideal way to absorb this particular book I will still be buying several copies to be gifted to friends and family whom I know need this book just as much as I did… (more)