I appreciate so many things about this book. It speaks honestly about our emotions and brings a biblical perspective on them. It is encouraging as well as convicting. It had a nice balance of insight and practical ideas to help us grow. It gave examples to show how applying the principles and ideas would work.
I also liked the fact that the authors come from different emotional bents. One is more even-keeled while the other experiences more highs and lows emotionally. It is easy for these two types of people to not understand where the other is coming from so I appreciated the balance that that brought to the book. I could easily relate and found my own leanings and saw the strengths and weaknesses of each bent.
While many things were helpful, I found the chapter on painful emotions particularly so. Our emotions are so heightened during times of pain and suffering. They can cause us to drive deeper into the Lord or deeper into ourselves. The Mahaneys deal with this topic with compassion and grace.
Thank you to Crossway for providing a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I picked up this book because of the title. It is rare that I think I have read a book written purely on emotion or feelings so I was interested to see what the authors had to say.

The book was written by a mother/daughter team and geared toward women. Many of the examples and scenarios in the book were therefore about women. Unlike many other books written to women this book did not feel as vulnerable, perhaps because of the style in which it was written combined with the fact that the authors spoke about themselves in the third person instead of first person.

The first half of the book felt very academic to me or like the authors were trying to build their case (which they were). Unfortunately, it felt very repetitive, which is not necessarily my favorite thing in a book. I felt this part of the book could have been shorter. I did enjoy the research and thought put into this section though.

All that being said-the last portion of the book was my favorite. I felt that it held more practical examples and tools that I could use when thinking about my emotions in a godly way. And most importantly the authors always point the reader back to prayer, the Word and God.

Finally, I really appreciated the use of Scripture and biblical examples throughout the book. This book is definitely gospel-centered.

There were portions of this book I found long and confusing and portions of this book that I found extremely applicable and in those parts I highlighted something every other paragraph. There were things that I appreciated about the book and things that I would have done differently. So in short I have complex feelings about this book, but then aren’t feelings always complex? I would say this book is worth reading, especially if you want a biblical theology of emotion.

This book will be available on October 31, 2017.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Crossway and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

True Feelings

God's Gracious and Glorious Purpose for Our Emotions

by Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre

Crossway

Christian , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 31 Oct 2017

I am reviewing a copy of True Feelings Through Crossway and Netgalley:

This book shows us that emotions can be confusing. The book points out too that at times feelings can be so unpleasant we would rather not have them and often Facebook can make it worse.

This book points out that because Christ restores are emotions, they can work the way he meant for them to work, together in harmony with our other faculties.

We are reminded too that emotions can help define who we are, and that they can move us into action when necessary.

This book tells us too that there are a time that good feelings can be bad, like when an enemy falls we should not rejoice. The author reminds us too that even when we are hormonal we can glorify Christ.

The author stresses the importantce Of making sure our beliefs and values line up with God’s Word.

The author encourages us too not to vent but to pour our emotions out to God.

I give True Feelings Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!