Emotions contends that God has gifted us with emotions since the very beginning--and He did so with very concrete purposes in mind: so that we can enjoy life, so we can connect with others, so we can reflect God's image in us.
But too often, instead of making the best of this gift, our emotions make the worst of us. Though we cannot see, taste, or touch our emotions, we are constantly affected by their forceful presence and the incredible influence they have over us. They can alter how we view our day, other people, and even the major events in our lives. Through our feelings, we have the capacity to enjoy amazing triumphs and deep fulfillment or experience crushing defeat and ruined relationships.
Dr. Stanley shares four steps to handling our emotions in a healthy manner: 1. Developing a healthy relationship with God. 2. Examining the thoughts that dominate our lives. 3. Exchanging our negative thought patters for positive ones. 4. Practicing regular and honest prayer.
Unhealthy emotions manifest themselves in destructive patterns: 1. Persistent lack of peace 2. Ongoing indecision 3. Diminished self-confidence 4. Damaged relationships 5. Poor health 6. Stagnated spiritual growth
This inspiring book of hope and solutions teaches readers how to take control of their emotions by taking control of their thinking. In its pages readers will learn how to become free of the negative emotions that steal their potential, and reclaim the purpose and joy for which God created them.
Dr. Charles F. Stanley is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta, founder of In Touch Ministries, and a New York Times best-selling author who has written more than fifty books, and has sold more than nine million copies. He demonstrates a keen awareness of people's needs and provides Christ-centered, biblically-based principles for everyday life.
Charles Frazier Stanley was born September 25, 1932, in the small town of Dry Fork, Virginia. The only child of Charley and Rebecca Stanley, Charles came into the world during a time when the entire nation felt the grip of the Great Depression. To make matters worse, just nine months later, his father Charley died at the young age of 29.
However, Charles refused to let the Great Depression or the difficulties of his life define him. Instead, like his father and grandfather before him, he clung to God’s Word and took up the mantle to preach the gospel to whoever would listen.
Dr. Stanley’s motivation is best represented by the truth found in Acts 20:24, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love.” This is because, as he says, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.”
Dr. Stanley’s teachings can be heard weekly at First Baptist Church Atlanta, daily on “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” radio and television broadcasts on more than 2,800 stations around the world, on the Internet at intouch.org, through the In Touch Messenger, and in the monthly, award-winning In Touch magazine.
(I was provided with a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.)
Until a couple of weeks ago, I thought of myself as a fully-matured Christian. On-board. Minimal issues, if you know what I mean. By the time I hit page 19 of EMOTIONS, I started keeping a journal while reading it. That's something that I've never done before.
Here's one of my entries:
"Wow. I had NO idea how badly I needed this book." (I wrote that after page 99.)
"Emotions" may well be Dr. Stanley's best work. In its pages, readers will learn not only how to process - even grow from - damaged emotions, both in themselves and in others: they will also come away with a much clearer picture of The Creator of their emotions. The Father has been on the receiving end of a tidal wave of satanic slander, and the reader who makes use of the questions for personal reflection will gain priceless insight into the ways in which evil distorts the truth about God.
But the point is, we allow that to happen; therefore, we have the ability - through the power of Christ - to turn it around. To dismiss the lies that gain foothold within our souls. To remember and to reclaim the love of God, and our love for Him, and take it all back... *If* we're willing to get real with ourselves - and with Him.
That was the tough part. While the writing is eloquent, and the concepts are presented gently, the words are still as piercing as they are healing. This book offers authentic, life-changing solutions to the most damaging emotions, and is well beyond a must-read: it's a must-live.
I'm surprised by how profoundly this book affected me. No matter where you are in your faith, you need to read this; and if you're struggling with fear, guilt, despair, rejection, and/or bitterness, you need to read it *now*.
Here's the final entry into my journal:
"If enough people read this book, the psychotheraputic industry could be put out of business."
This book was amazing. Dr. Charles Stanley writes in a way that's completely understandable. He's changed my perspective on a lot of things with this book, and this will continue to be a source I will use.
Disclosure: I received this book via Goodreads Giveaway.
Dr. Stanley is an excellent Christian writer/teacher. He never disappoints in presenting material that is both intellectually and spiritually deep. I was a little surprised at how profound his latest offering was. His breakdown of several emotions was enlightening and actually gave me insight into the thought processes of those involved. There was one chapter (Rejection) that was stunning in its accuracy - it was as if he was writing EXACTLY about the person that came to my mind, and made me understand how they had arrived at that point in their life. I learned a lot about myself and others, and would highly recommend it!
Excellent biblical tools for overcoming our hurts and becoming the people God has made us to be. Filled with many personal and practical stories that show the author can relate to the trials and disappointments we all face.
Dr. Charles F. Stanley explains in his latest book, Emotions: Confront the Lies. Conquer with Truth, that: "God created you and me with the capacity to experience the full gamut of emotions so we could enjoy life, share our inner being with others, and reflect His image. They were given to us as a gift so we could interact meaningfully with our heavenly Father and the people we know. However, in this fallen world, our feelings have become a mixed blessing. The same capacity that allows us to experience intense, overflowing joy is also the gateway to sorrow so deep and overwhelming that, like Job, we may wish we had never been born (Job 3:3)."
Certainly if we were all honest most of us would admit that our emotions can get in the way of us experiencing life to the fullest. A healthy relationship with God and our emotions allows us to enjoy life and connect with others, all while reflecting God's image - but for most of us emotions can get in the way. In this helpful book Dr. Stanley addresses five emotions that can prevent us from living a life filled with joy: fear, rejection, bitterness, guilt, and despair. Contents: 1 Choosing to Triumph How God Makes Victory Possible 2 What’s Going On Here? God’s Purpose for Our Emotions 3 The Root of All Painful Emotions Identifying the Original Source of Our Woundedness 4 Reviewing the Evidence Recognizing Ingrained Fear by Examining the Consequences 5 The Courage to Stand Conquering Fear Through a Change of Focus 6 Rejection Overcoming the Most Painful Emotion 7 Bitterness Freedom from Misery 8 Guilt Relief from the Ultimate Weight on Your Soul 9 Despair Finding the Light of Hope in the Darkest Hour 10 All the Way to Victory! Looking Beyond Ourselves
Dr. Stanley does a great job extending compassionate understanding, encouragement, and hope to readers, while sharing Biblical insights and personal experiences. He shares that the basic components to triumphing over your emotions include the following: 1. Experiencing the New Birth (A relationship with Jesus) 2. Examining the Thoughts that Dominate Your Life 3. Exchanging Your Thought Patterns 4. Exercising the Powerful Privilege of Prayer 5. Expecting God’s Healing to Begin Immediately.
According to Dr. Stanley our emotions are a gift from God given to us so we can enjoy life, meaningfully relate to others, and reflect the image of God. What holds us back and is the basis of negative emotions is fear. Our own anxieties cause many of our problems. We can trust God because “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3). Trusting in God will diminish fear.
After each chapter is a series of questions that are helpful for personal reflection or group study. Along with the Biblical principles and passages Dr. Stanley shares, these can help the reader delved deeper into and garner a greater understanding of the material. There was also a list of fifty statements of how God views us that would be very encouraging for anyone who is struggling with self condemnation. Emotions is a great resource and would be an excellent choice for a small group study.
Very Highly Recommended
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Howard Books via Edelweiss for review purposes.
I try to read everything Charles Stanley writes, for me he is a spiritual leader who has a wonderful way of teaching me what I need to know when I need to know it! In his latest book "Emotions" Confront the Lies and Conquer With Truth he gets to the emotional heart of the pain that holds so many of us captive. With insight and wisdom along with the use of scriptures he guides the reader on a journey that can lead them out of the darkness of negative emotions and into the light of God's wonderful love!
This book consists of ten chapters and there were a few chapters that really jumped out at me. One of the chapters revolved around rejection, one of the most painful emotions that there is, because it distorts how we view ourselves. We may not even realize that we are influenced by this emotion. Not only does Dr. Stanley reveal how we can overcome the bondage to this emotion, but he reminds us of our worth to our Heavenly father. Another chapter that spoke to me was "All The Way To Victory" which reminds that adversity can be God's greatest tool for spiritual growth. This book is written in a very easy to use format, and the personal stories make it a very easy book to relate to, and also shows that Mr. Stanley knows what he is talking about because of personal insights he shares. There are questions at the end of each chapter that allow for further reflection. Perfect for group or individual study, I think that "Emotions" by Charles Stanley is full of useful tools for anyone looking to begin to heal the hurts and break the negative emotions that hold them back.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.
This book was very inspirational and uplifting. Author Charles F. Stanley did an outstanding job in explaining our emotions and how we can overcome negative emotions. He said that all the emotions we have come from God. He explains that God could have just given us good healthy emotions, but that He wanted us to experience fear and other negative emotions that will make us rely on Him for everything. If we did not have fear, we would walk upon rattlesnakes and bears and have no fear and they could cause us harm.
Author Stanley also explains that God always provides a support system for us. He says that the emotions we experience should lead us to God in prayer. He further explains that we should take stock of our life, commit ourselves to the Father's plan, embrace who God says we are, praise God, and then do the God's work. He says that God is training us to trust Him for all our needs, conform us to the character of Christ, and use adversity to prepare us for ministry. Stanley also says that there are ten terms for effective service: verbally, physically, patiently, gratefully, generously, tenderly, forgivingly; devotedly, cheerfully, and honorably.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and give it 5 stars.
Emotions can be so troublesome we might wonder why God gave them to us in the first place. Stanley starts out by explaining that we have emotions so that we can enjoy life, interact with others (including God), and mirror God's image. Because of the fall, our emotions are not what they were initially created to be. Some are negative and hinder our joy and walk with God. Stanley takes us through five emotions: fear, rejection, bitterness, guilt and despair. He gives examples of people who have them, what their effect can be on our well being, and then walks us through the healing process. The process will take time and work. There is deep searching required, controlling of thoughts, and using Scripture to counter the lies. If you want healing and are willing to work along with God, then this book is for you. See my full review at http://bit.ly/19l3Gl7.
This is a phenomenal book. Dr. Stanley has a way of explaining ideas clearly, concisely, but with such impact that endears you to seriously reflect on the matter. The mind is literally the gateway to your emotions and your behavior. You can tell when your emotions are in total control, because you'll be out of control. I highly recommend this read. It should be a principal book in your personal growth/success library.
This was a difficult book for me to finish. It took several months, and even though I reached the last page, I'm still not finished with it. It's really difficult to hear that you have to forgive and let go when you feel that the people who caused you so much pain are "getting away with it." Even harder to hear that you should ask for forgiveness for the negative thoughts you have directed at them for so long.
Talk about conviction...I know what Dr. Stanley says is true. The only one I hurt by that behavior is me, and the only way to be free of it is to work through my sense of worldly justice to reach the closest we can get to grace.
This book also pointed out that the negative behaviors I developed due to my past began as an effort to control my life, and gave clear steps to correct those behaviors by giving that control to God.
This is not a quick-fix, self-help book or a book of slogans like, "Let go and let God." Instead, it points out specific passages in the bible and how it applies to each emotion it discusses. Every chapter concludes with a section of Enemy's Lies vs. God's Truth to illustrate where our mind is now and where it should be. And he has provided a prayer that states exactly what we should be asking our Father in each situation, which is incredibly helpful to me, as I often feel lost when I attempt to pray for difficult situations.
As someone who just quit her job due to mental health, I can say that this was the answer to my prayers. Stanley dives deep into our emotions as humans while making you see the root causes and spiritual remedies in order to better understand yourself and how God can use this brokenness for a vessel or testimony to his Great glory. So very helpful toward my overall healing process and also helped me better understand some of the wounds I suffered with from my youth. I recommend this book if you want to truly open your heart and healing up to God.
Excellent! I can always count on Dr. Charles Stanley to take me on a serendipitous journey through the word of God.This book was truly a treasure trove of wisdom and application of the truths of God's word.
At times its truth was painful and convicting. However, it was truth that was truly needed in order to face the ugly, repair the woundedness, and receive hope and healing. It even encouraged me to hopefully use my pain to help others heal.
Thank you Dr. Charles Stanley. You did not disappoint. You are truly a vessel God uses!
This book is so powerful. Dr. Stanley helps the reader to examine their hearts in relation to their emotions. He emphasizes the importance of getting to the root of why we have these emotions. Sometimes we have hurts our traumas from our past that we don’t realize are impacting our lives. But the reader is also continually pointed back to the Lord. He can help us every step of the way. He can help us uproot these emotions. He can help heal us. And He is there to pour His love over us. What a loving Father we have!
Filled with examples and personal experience that clearly shows how to apply God's word to any situation or problem. Emotions have always been hard to talk about. This book helped me to understand my negative emotions and behaviors. Most importantly, I have solid suggestions that will create positive changes in my life that will deepen my relationship with God and influence to the world around me.
If i could rate it 6 star I would! There are so many books out there these days, but generally speaking, older books are better. This one is fantastic and has tons of scripture to back up everything that he’s saying, which is also sorely lacking in most modern books. While this book helped me personally where I’m at in life, I might even go so far as to recommend this to anyone who’s a Christian no matter where they’re at as the content is so applicable.
This is one of my favorite Christian self-help books. I loved the suggestions Stanley has given as a help to those that live through their emotions. I highly recommend this book to all who have a concern about their emotionalism or any of those who are living with or friends of someone who does.
3.5 I liked Stanley's sincerity and groundedness in Scripture. He makes decent points, but actually following through to get beyond the emotions can take a lot of hard work.
Charles Stanley book Emotions: Confront the Lies. Conquer with Truth shows how to tackle the negative emotions that the Enemy uses to weigh us down with tremendous sadness. The author points out that damaged emotions causes numerous negative thoughts and emotions: lonely, weak, unable to improve, depression, believe you are being punished for something. Some, like Job, wish they were never born. However, the Heavenly Father can free us from the emotional bondage.
Stanley acknowledges that many times our negative emotions clashes with our faith in the Lord and what He is achieving in our lives. Charles Stanley Book Emotions outlines the various negative emotions or thoughts that may attack us with Scriptural references to combat these emotions. For example, “He doesn’t have time to help someone as insignificant as me” is countered with “… Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! … I will be with you (Isaiah 43:1-2).” Or, “Look at my misery—He’s probably upset with me” is countered with … “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).”
Readers will find book chapters that explore the root of all painful emotions, overcoming rejection, bitterness, guilt, and fear helpful. Each chapter closes with questions for personal reflection or group study and a prayer that addresses the emotion that was covered. For those who wonder, if emotions cause so many problems, why did God give us the capacity to experience this range of feelings? Charles Stanley explains God gave us these emotions so we could enjoy life, share our inner being with others, and reflect God’s image. Our emotions are a gift, a gift that enables us to interact with God and those around us. In fact, they help us to realize that we need God in our lives.
Charles Stanley encourages us to rise up in faith, to refuse to give our emotions dominion over our lives. Charles Stanley Book Emotions: Confront the Lies. Conquer with Truth shows us how to heal damaged emotions, if we allow God to set us free. “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you (2 Kings 20:5).” inspiredbooksguide.com
Dr. Charles Stanley has always been one of my favorite preachers. I cannot fully articulate what his ministry has meant to me. His wisdom is matchless and his teachings are so insightful. I knew from the moment I saw this book it would set my life on the proper course and it has not let me down.
Dr. Stanley explains to us first what emotions are and why we have them. One thing about emotions is typically they are all over the place. When we go through trials and tribulations many times we think we can handle it on our own, and sometimes we do know what to do. However, most of the time we really have no clue as to how we should go about fixing our shattered emotions, our broken relationships, our bad finances or just how to heal our lives. So, we wind up in a whirlwind of bad decisions and those bad decisions make us feel even worse. Starting the cycle all over again.
In Emotions, we learn that through the power of Jesus, our lives can be changed. Our emotions can heal and we can live productive and powerful lives. However, apart from Christ we are merely just spinning our wheels. He gives us an open and honest blueprint for how things can turn around for us if we are willing to be honest with ourselves, dig in and do the work required.
I highly recommend this book to everyone, Christian or not. Even if you have been in the faith for quite some time this book is for you. We are never so wise that we cannot continue to learn and grow in our walk with the Lord. The growth, changes and healing will not happen overnight, but if we follow Dr. Stanley’s sage advice, it will happen right when it’s supposed to. Please pick this book up. Your life will thank you for it!
My guess is that if you have a pulse, you experience emotions. At some point we all feel mad, happy, scared, anger or a variety of other emotions. Some emotions are negative, others are positive, but why do we tend to remember negative emotions? I think it's because we let our negative emotions controls instead of allowing them to help us find purpose.
In his new book, "Emotions", written by Charles Stanley, he looks at five key emotions; Fear, rejection, bitterness, despair and guilt. He show about how each emotion can affect our lives and how we can feel trapped by them if we don't handle them in the correct way. He allows the reader to gain a perspective about why we have these emotions and how we can be set free from them.
This book is very easy to read. You can immediately identify with Charles and feel as almost if the two of you are having a discussion over coffee about your feelings. I think he addresses these 5 emotions with such clarity and experience. You can't help walking away from the book feeling better about yourself. If you're looking to address emotions in your life like bitterness, fear or rejection, this book will move you along in your journey to finding peace.
Wow, what a book! There is so much in this book that will help everyone. Dr. Stanly will give you practical guidance and encouragement while explaining about the different emotions. He gets to the bottom of what triggers certain responses and feelings. Whoever struggles with rejection, bitterness, guilt, and despair, READ THIS BOOK.
Contents:
1. Choosing to Triumph - How God makes Victory Possible
2. What's Going On Here? - God's Purpose for Our Emotions
3. The Root of All Painful Emotions - Identifying the Original Source of Our Woundedness
4. Reviewing the Evidence - Recognizing Ingrained Fear by Examining the Consequences
5. The Courage to Stand - Conquering Fear Through a Change of Focus
6. Rejection - Overcoming the Most Painful Emotion
7. Bitterness - Freedom from Misery
8. Guilt - Relief from the Ultimate Weight on Your Soul
9. Despair - Finding the Light of Hope in the Darkest Hour
10. All the Way to Victory! - Looking Beyond Ourselves
A friend bought this book online for me, had it shipped to my address and I am forever thankful to God, for she told me, he impressed it upon her heart to do so, and she obeyed. I have read it and will re-read it more than once. A must keep and apply it's truths daily! I have been taught under the teachings of Dr. Charles Stanley since right after being Born-Again on September 18, 1991, my pastor of great truth. I cannot express the volume of my learning from him. I dread the day he would retire. May God continue to bless him to empower others to learn of Christ and his unique abilities to instill in us the value of real Gospel Truth!
Finally got through this book and while I know that sounds like it was a struggle – the truth is the book was very informative and helpful. At the end of each chapter are questions for a person to answer which is one thing that took me so long to get through it. The other is that I haven’t been in the mood to read nonfiction (or even too much fiction).
I think the Goodreads description says pretty much what I would say so let me just say I gave the book an A.
Emotions are sometimes are estranged & very, very complicated. Dr. Charles F. Stanley can caused me to take off the blindfold, really see, really hurt, and really heal those emotions that were setting me back from glorifying the Father. I want to do more with positive emotions, which have been replaced through, with and in the light of Christ, now more than ever. I have after reading this book more than finished it, I am a conquerer. I have truly mastered, and truly triumphed.
Christian centric examination of our positive and negative emotions. It has ideas worth considering backed by biblical truths and provide the reader questions to assess when and how to redirect their negative emotions and habits. Christians will find it useful for bible study. Non-Christians may find the self examination a stepping stone to releasing negative emotions from their lives.
I read the first chapter and new this was a book I needed to underline and make notes in--I had a library copy so I stopped reading and ordered the book to keep. This will be one that I will want near me as reference and support.