Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

This blog is really becoming “the things Glennis loves.” Well, I recently finished the book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who desires to grow in their relationship with God, others and even yourself. There were several moments while reading that I had to stop and pray, just confessing my sinfulness and selfishness. I also stopped to lift others in prayer as I read about some of their struggles outlined, which Scazzero attributes to stemming from an emotionally unhealthy spirituality.

Parts I especially liked about the book:
* Scazzero’s summary of what it looks like to be an emotional baby, child, adolescent and adult (I think I tend to be an emotional adolescent, such as ‘often being defensive, keep score, critical and judgmental’)
* Description of I-It relationships: “The result of I-It relationships is that I get frustrated when people don’t fit into my plans. The way I see things is ‘right.’ And if you don’t see it as I do, you are not seeing things the ‘right’ way. You are wrong.” (p. 182)
* Use of biblical stories to illustrate how families develop sinful patterns that get passed down from generation to generation (e.g. pattern of lying in each generation: Abraham lied twice about Sarah, Isaac and rebecca’s marriage was characteried by lies, Jacob lied to almost everyone, his name means “deceiver”, ten of Jacob’s children lied about Joseph’s death, faking a funeral and keeping a “famil secret” for over ten years, p.98)
* Emphasis on SABBATH (love learning about this topic, I have always been unable to keep a Sabbath, but I am perpetually learning how God designed us to rest–physically, emotionally and spiritually– regularly)
* Very practical appendix which includes “the prayer of examen” (a spiritual practice of prayerfully reflecting about certain experiences) and a  how to guide on doing a “daily office.”

Even as I was talking with a student leader today about a conflict she was dealing with, I found that I was using principles that I got from this book to help her think through her situation. So it’s definitely been a great resource for me. I hope it proves to be a helpful resource for you too!

I can only say, “Live love, let love invade you. It will never fail to teach you what you must do.” (p.210)