Sharon Isley
9th February 2006, 10:43 AM (10:43)
This is a book I started to read at the retreat I went on, and I felt God nudging me to buy it on my way home. It is an incredible book!
The main point is how we can learn to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as we talk with other people. We spend so much time thinking about what we should say, how we can help. Instead we need to think beneath - what is the real struggle (typically one involving our desire to have life "work" as opposed to wanting God above all else.) We can learn to see how our own attitudes can get in the way (perhaps we are fighting the same battle they are, or we are wanting to rescue), and we can then see that we are powerless to make any real, eternal change. At that point, we become open to the power of God that will flow through us and minister to the souls of those we talk to.
It will be very helpful, as I learn to listen to others in a new way. But what I got out of it was more personal.
Through this book, God has been showing me how my prayers have often been designed to make God do my will, not His. How my desire to help others has too often been about making me feel good, or look good. How so much of my energy is focused on wanting things to turn out well, instead of submitting myself to pain if it would accomplish God's will.
I highly recommend this book.
The main point is how we can learn to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as we talk with other people. We spend so much time thinking about what we should say, how we can help. Instead we need to think beneath - what is the real struggle (typically one involving our desire to have life "work" as opposed to wanting God above all else.) We can learn to see how our own attitudes can get in the way (perhaps we are fighting the same battle they are, or we are wanting to rescue), and we can then see that we are powerless to make any real, eternal change. At that point, we become open to the power of God that will flow through us and minister to the souls of those we talk to.
It will be very helpful, as I learn to listen to others in a new way. But what I got out of it was more personal.
Through this book, God has been showing me how my prayers have often been designed to make God do my will, not His. How my desire to help others has too often been about making me feel good, or look good. How so much of my energy is focused on wanting things to turn out well, instead of submitting myself to pain if it would accomplish God's will.
I highly recommend this book.