🌀 🙏🏻 ✝️ Still (2020) ✝️ 🙏🏻 🌀 [Nonfiction] - Book Review
MY REVIEW
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Publisher: Revell (January 7, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800737172
ISBN-13: 978-0800737177
“Do you worry a
lot? Is it common for you to dread upcoming events? Does pressure or stress
trigger outbursts of anger, isolation, depression, or feelings of failure? Do
you have a hard time finishing what you start? Do you find it impossible to
work in the middle of chaos? Do you wonder if God is really going to come
through for you in difficult times?
In Still, Jenny Donnelly teaches you how to experience true, life-giving rest even in the midst of chaos. While most of us think of rest as something we do, Jenny shares how rest is a place from which we live and work. Sharing her own personal story of struggling with life's pressures and spiritual exhaustion, she introduces you to the source of peace and rest: Jesus. She shows you the steps to take to access rest anytime, anyplace, under any conditions. And she reveals how operating from a place of stillness powers your identity, creativity, relationships, and so much more.
If you've been stressed and anxious, operating on autopilot as life whizzes by, it's time you discovered the resting place God designed for you.”
In Still, Jenny Donnelly teaches you how to experience true, life-giving rest even in the midst of chaos. While most of us think of rest as something we do, Jenny shares how rest is a place from which we live and work. Sharing her own personal story of struggling with life's pressures and spiritual exhaustion, she introduces you to the source of peace and rest: Jesus. She shows you the steps to take to access rest anytime, anyplace, under any conditions. And she reveals how operating from a place of stillness powers your identity, creativity, relationships, and so much more.
If you've been stressed and anxious, operating on autopilot as life whizzes by, it's time you discovered the resting place God designed for you.”
Thank you in advance to Revell Books for
providing a review copy. A positive review was not required, and all words are
my own.
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| ["Still" courtesy of Revell Books] |
In an effort to expand what genres of books I
read – I chose this self-help book to see how it would help me in finding some
calm in the chaos of life. Despite not really working, there is always
something to do around my house – some things NEVER get done. And, sometimes I
don’t always have help to do it. Often I don't feel like I get any real “REST”. Admittedly, there are times I get frustrated.
So, this seemed like a relevant and appropriate
read.
“Still” is a self-help guide providing the
reader with a faith based approach to find calm, and more importantly “REST” in
the chaos of life.
The author recounts her past life and how it
led her to understand why she was doing certain things and how it held her back
from fully enjoying life, and finding ways to REST. There was a story about a
pile of hangars and I found myself relating to what the writer had felt in the
moment.
The cover is very simple – and symbolizes the “still”
in the calm or eye of a storm. It also symbolizes clarity and focus. The author
has a clear, fluid, and coherent style that made this book easy to read, and I
enjoyed reading it.
Donnelly delves into finding what is wrong, and
uses both God and Jesus as instruments in leading the reader to easing moments
of anxiety, depression, being overwhelmed.
She talks about temporary fixes that don’t get
to and solve the root of the problem, how many think it is their circumstances
that cause it. Additionally, Donnelly recognizes that many of us believe there
are outside influences that surround our own happiness and keep us bogged down
when it is our reactions.
Much of what was said in the first chapter was
so relevant, especially to me.
The author doesn’t shy away from using
scripture to guide the reader through a chaotic existence. What I found
interesting was the DO-ING vs. BE-ING. IN that we’re busy DOING and not BEING.
That we spend more time worrying about what we should be DOING, but not “BEING”
in a moment. Such as us being physically present in a situation, but mentally
we’re someplace else.
Often “hurry” can steal the moment as well –
but, why are we in a “hurry”?? Donnelly carefully examines that as well.
Another aspect I enjoyed was the CONTROL vs.
CHAOS. She explains that while we try to control things in our lives, we have
less peace. In chaos, we have some moments of calm. While that wouldn’t make
any sense to some, Donnelly has a way of putting it into perspective.
For example, there are certain things,
situations, and people we cannot control. Influence? Yes. Control – not so
much. But, that despite the chaos, we tend to find those calm moments.
She uses certain scriptures, and bible stories,
to put things into perspective.
This is not a one-time read. This is a
companion type book, or rather a “workbook” to use for daily reassurance,
self-motivation, and reflection. Whether or not a reader feels this book has
helped them; will depend where they are in their faith journey and relationship
with God.
There are points where the author asks the
reader to examine, and analyze their relationship with God. Some might feel as
though they’re judging themselves and that relationship – or lack thereof. Perhaps
that is the entire point of this book.
I would consider this a relevant read to those
of the Christian faith, and perhaps even for those who are Jewish-Christian.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ –
Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ –
Bookbub
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenny L. Donnelly is an author, speaker, and business leader. She is the founder of
Her Voice Movement, a national community gathered for the purpose of equipping
and empowering women to live and lead biblical truth. She is a cofounder, with
her husband, of The Collective Church in Portland, Oregon. They also founded
Tetelestai Ministries, which develops and equips biblical leaders. She and her
husband, Bob, are living this adventure with their five children in Oregon.
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