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309 reviews for:
The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions
Emily P. Freeman
4.22 AVERAGE
309 reviews for:
The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions
Emily P. Freeman
4.22 AVERAGE
While not at all what I expected, this little book delighted me. It really gave me a lot to think about in terms of making decisions in the future. My biggest take away was about how, in the scriptures, the Lord gives His disciples just their next right thing. He doesn’t give a long list of specific to dos or 5 year plans for individuals (we’re not talking about stuff like the 10 commandments) just what they should do next. I have yet to come up with a scripture story that doesn’t follow that pattern. And that’s exactly how it is in our lives. He wants us to trust Him and He gives to us line upon line, precept upon precept. We just have to do the next right thing. That’s all.
I also liked the chapter on “pick what you like and see how it grows.” When it comes to large purchases like a wedding dress, car, or even a house, I’ll look at just a few options and make a choice easily and with no regrets. But a new pair of shoes or a top? I’ll agonize for days. And the same with other small non-retail decisions. In the future, I’m going to try to just pick what I like and see what happens.
This book also came to me at a good time. Not because I have any big decisions to make right now, but I found myself in an important conversation where I was able to share what I was learning in the book and I think I helped someone else.
I listened to the audiobook and it was wonderful. However, I would also recommend reading the book so that you could slow down to take notes and mark it up. I, at least, probably would have retained more that way than plowing right through the audio.
I also liked the chapter on “pick what you like and see how it grows.” When it comes to large purchases like a wedding dress, car, or even a house, I’ll look at just a few options and make a choice easily and with no regrets. But a new pair of shoes or a top? I’ll agonize for days. And the same with other small non-retail decisions. In the future, I’m going to try to just pick what I like and see what happens.
This book also came to me at a good time. Not because I have any big decisions to make right now, but I found myself in an important conversation where I was able to share what I was learning in the book and I think I helped someone else.
I listened to the audiobook and it was wonderful. However, I would also recommend reading the book so that you could slow down to take notes and mark it up. I, at least, probably would have retained more that way than plowing right through the audio.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Full review here: https://bookdevotions.com/book-reviews-march-2022/
I'm chronically indecisive. I remember standing in front of the prize counter at Chuck-E-Cheeze agonizing over what I was going to spend my 34 tickets on. Choices, choices! This book offers such a refreshing perspective on decision-making, especially when we're confronted with choices that weigh much more than 34 tickets.
Of course, not everything in this book resonated with me. But here's what did:
- "Stillness is to my soul as decluttering is to my home." When I'm rushed and over-busy, I tend to act out emotionally. I need quiet reflection to sort things out...it doesn't just happen.
- "Remember today is a plot point. See it for what it is, but don't confuse the moment for the whole story." There's more life to live. One day at a time. It's hard to wait.
- Freeman points out several stories in which Jesus asks people to name their desire before He healed them. This was interesting for me because I tend to push my desires aside. How can I tell the difference between what I desire that's IN God's will versus outside His will for me at this moment?
- I loved the concept of arrows. We all want God to lay out the plan and illuminate the ENTIRE pathway between where we are now and where He wants us to be. But, what if he only illuminates one step at a time? What if we don't get "answers" so much as we get "arrows" that point us toward His will for us?
Overall, I thought this book offered a lot of great frameworks and lots of spiritual insights. Again, I didn't agree with every last thing, but that's what makes for iron-on-iron, right?
I'm chronically indecisive. I remember standing in front of the prize counter at Chuck-E-Cheeze agonizing over what I was going to spend my 34 tickets on. Choices, choices! This book offers such a refreshing perspective on decision-making, especially when we're confronted with choices that weigh much more than 34 tickets.
Of course, not everything in this book resonated with me. But here's what did:
- "Stillness is to my soul as decluttering is to my home." When I'm rushed and over-busy, I tend to act out emotionally. I need quiet reflection to sort things out...it doesn't just happen.
- "Remember today is a plot point. See it for what it is, but don't confuse the moment for the whole story." There's more life to live. One day at a time. It's hard to wait.
- Freeman points out several stories in which Jesus asks people to name their desire before He healed them. This was interesting for me because I tend to push my desires aside. How can I tell the difference between what I desire that's IN God's will versus outside His will for me at this moment?
- I loved the concept of arrows. We all want God to lay out the plan and illuminate the ENTIRE pathway between where we are now and where He wants us to be. But, what if he only illuminates one step at a time? What if we don't get "answers" so much as we get "arrows" that point us toward His will for us?
Overall, I thought this book offered a lot of great frameworks and lots of spiritual insights. Again, I didn't agree with every last thing, but that's what makes for iron-on-iron, right?
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Emily's words are so powerful and empowering. She helps break down barriers to decision making in a new and refreshing way. I am a person who finds it hard to make even the simplest of decisions, but her encouraging and soothing words helped me realize that all decisions, whether big or small, really do start with just doing the next right thing, even if that next right thing is as simple as brushing your teeth. Emily has such a soothing and encouraging way on her podcast, and her writing is no different. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I discovered Emily and her podcast just last year and I’m so glad I did!
This book is perfect for the season I’m in now and I loved it!
Every chapters holds the wisdom of years of experience, of growing and gleaning from a life lived with Jesus.
The prayers, quotes and practice sections within each chapter all add to the overall wealth contained within the book.
Emily’s writing is so easy to read and relate to, she’s authentic and has lived out this decision making process.
I’d also recommend ‘The Next Right Thing’ journal!
This book is perfect for the season I’m in now and I loved it!
Every chapters holds the wisdom of years of experience, of growing and gleaning from a life lived with Jesus.
The prayers, quotes and practice sections within each chapter all add to the overall wealth contained within the book.
Emily’s writing is so easy to read and relate to, she’s authentic and has lived out this decision making process.
I’d also recommend ‘The Next Right Thing’ journal!
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
The Next Right Thing is a very gentle, and helpful companion to those who are faced with decision fatigue, or simply have an important decision to make. If you're familiar with her podcast at all, Emily offers thoughtful advice on how to be a soul minimalist and to discern wisely in the presence of God, and alongside others. Highly recommend.
first reviewed here: https://belovedgraceful-carissasbookshelf.blogspot.com/2019/06/review-of-when-life-doesnt-match-your.html
Title: When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams: Hope for Today from 12 Women of the Bible
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Pages: 224
Genre: Non fiction
Rating: 4 stars
When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams is the first non-fiction book by Jill Eileen Smith. In which she looks at 12 women from the Old Testament to give Biblical examples of what happens and what you can do when life doesn’t match your dreams. The Lessons that one can learn from each these twelve women, what to do and what not to do.
Whatever state of life you’re in as a woman, whatever age there is something in this book for you. There is some lesson that is just for you. Each woman who reads I feel will take away something different from the book.
I myself is looking at a life that didn’t got the way I dreamed or planned but after reading When Life Doesn’t Match your dreams, I trust even more that it went the way God planned it even there were a few detours and tears along the way. Everything we go through in life good or bad works out for our good.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Title: When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams: Hope for Today from 12 Women of the Bible
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Pages: 224
Genre: Non fiction
Rating: 4 stars
When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams is the first non-fiction book by Jill Eileen Smith. In which she looks at 12 women from the Old Testament to give Biblical examples of what happens and what you can do when life doesn’t match your dreams. The Lessons that one can learn from each these twelve women, what to do and what not to do.
Whatever state of life you’re in as a woman, whatever age there is something in this book for you. There is some lesson that is just for you. Each woman who reads I feel will take away something different from the book.
I myself is looking at a life that didn’t got the way I dreamed or planned but after reading When Life Doesn’t Match your dreams, I trust even more that it went the way God planned it even there were a few detours and tears along the way. Everything we go through in life good or bad works out for our good.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.