Emotionally healthy spirituality - overview

While I was laid up recovering from surgery I finally got around to finishing Peter Scazzero's important book, 'Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.'

I'd gotten this book on sale on my kindle some time ago. At first I thought it was somewhat formulaic and a little too rigid for me. However, after reading it, I discovered I needed it more than I thought (and I already thought I needed it).

I don't know how it ranks up there with other books, but it was helpful to me. However emotionally healthy I may have been at other points in my life, I had to admit I have been losing ground over the past few years. I'm glad I read it.

I'd say this may even be a good 'discipleship' book for new believers. One thing that struck me as I read was, while faith is not about moral behavior, growing as a follower of Jesus should include changed behaviors. Re-learning how to live, so to speak. This book is helpful in that regard.

As the sub-heading says, "It's impossible to be spiritually mature, while remaining emotionally immature." I'd like to think (and hope) this book helped shed some light and give some direction forward. I hope to do some of the exercises, like developing a "Rule of Life," in the weeks to come.

Today I just want to lay out the framework of the book. Later I may post some of my highlighted quotes, and maybe even some other posts on various topics within the book.

The chapter headings are as such:

Chapter 1 -

• The problem of emotionally unhealthy spirituality
• Something is desperately wrong

Chapter 2 -

• Know yourself that you may know God
• Becoming your authentic self

 Chapter 3 -

• Going back in order to go forward
• Breaking the power of the past

 Chapter 4 -

• Journey through the wall
• Letting go of power and control

Chapter 5 -

• Enlarge your soul through grief and loss
• Surrendering to your limits 

Chapter 6 -

• Discover the rhythms of the daily office and sabbath
• Stopping to breathe the air of eternity

Chapter 7 -

• Grow into an emotionally mature adult
• Learning new skills to love well

Chapter 8 -

• Go the next step to develop a "rule of life"
• Loving Christ above all else