07/22/2024
A self-centered life is inherently unsatisfying because it deviates from “God’s will,” according to this gentle guide. Bible teacher Meyer (How to Hear from God) outlines a loose, introspective model for rooting out selfish tendencies and living a more outwardly focused life. Suggestions include adopting more “godly” thought patterns (“When you think about people you know... think about their strengths”); feeling such emotions as guilt, self-pity, and anger without acting on them; and regularly turning to the Bible for wisdom. Elsewhere, she calls on readers to “cooperate with the Holy Spirit, obeying what He leads us to do,” though what exactly this looks like is unclear: “If what we are doing... isn’t right, we will sense a gentle pressure that does not feel pleasant.” Despite such murky moments, readers will appreciate Meyer’s ability to succinctly capture the nuances of her topic, as when she distinguishes selflessness from self-neglect: “If we are to love our neighbor (other people) as we love ourselves, how can we do it if we don’t love ourselves?” It’s a solid study of what it means to be a giver. (Sept.)
