Andy Stanley doesn’t waste time. The question he immediately poses to his readers: “How are things with your heart” (6)?
Unlike wearing a scarlet letter, greed, anger, jealousy, and guilt are heart issues that can be easily ignored. This book is focuses on taking care of heart issues that affect all of us. “The longer you’ve been living with guilt, hanging on to anger, clinging to your stuff, or comparing yourself to others, the harder it will be to exercise these four virtues. The longer you’ve neglected your heart, the harder it is to get it in shape. But in the end it will be worth the effort” (90).
Each of the vices were convicting, as I have dealt with each of these issues at some point in my life. “When discussing guilt, we said the antidote was to exercise confession. The habit that overcomes anger is forgiveness. Greed is overcome by generous giving. The habit that will enable you to strengthen your heart against jealousy is celebration” (176). It is not easy to change habits, but Stanley gives simple solutions.
Stanley was also honest enough to share personal examples throughout the book, including how to teach your children to guard their hearts and pay attention to what is going on inside of them. Pick up this book to dive deeper into Proverbs 4.23 and guarding your heart well.
I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.
