The “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” Book by Scazzero

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Introduction: Embrace Transformation
Chapter 1: Mature Emotionally
Chapter 2: Accept Feelings
Chapter 3: Learn from the Past
Chapter 4: Let God Guide
Chapter 5: Grieve in God’s Way
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

To understand God and His teachings better, one must be devoted to Lord both physically and mentally, yet such faithfulness may be challenging for some individuals. In his book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Peter Scazzero explores the specifics of holistic spiritual growth. The main ideas presented by Scazzero concern acceptance to change, emotional maturity, the capacity to learn oneself through feelings, lessons from the past, crises, losses, and grief.

Introduction: Embrace Transformation

The author offers important information from the beginning of the book. In the Introduction, Scazzero (2017) states that the goal of his writing is to help people transform spiritually and emotionally to build a more profound relationship with Jesus Christ (p. 7). Scazzero (2017) proposes that deeply changed individuals shift the world due to developing the capacity to have a stronger and long-lasting impact (p. 7). Accordingly, the author suggests that to become closer to God, a person should embrace the modification of his or her spirit and mentality.

Chapter 1: Mature Emotionally

One of the central ideas of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality concerns the conflict between one’s faith and emotions. In Chapter 1, Scazzero (2017) suggests that while one can perceive themselves as a devoted follower of Christ, the individual’s inner aspects of humanity may remain untouched by God (p. 16). Such people meticulously read the Bible for answers to their problems and sincerely love Lord but are often frustrated, exhausted, and deceitful toward others and themselves (Scazzero, 2017, p. 18). The reason for the dissatisfaction is emotional immaturity, which is frequently neglected yet prevents a person from being whole in the way intended by God (Scazzero, 2017, p. 20). The author proposes ten symptoms of emotionally unhealthy spirituality, such as doing something in Christ’s name while being insincere and ignoring feelings of sadness, anger, and fear (Scazzero, 2017, p. 22). Nonetheless, people must first know themselves to truly comprehend God and his teachings (Scazzero, 2017, p. 37). Consequently, the central idea of Chapter 1 is that spiritual and emotional maturity are interconnected, and the latter must not be overlooked on the journey toward understanding Christ.

Chapter 2: Accept Feelings

The book educates individuals on the significance of being more accepting of themselves. In Chapter 2, Scazzero (2017) notes that many Christians assume they are not permitted to consider or openly express their sensations (p. 39). However, the transformation to emotionally healthy spirituality depends on people’s ability to feel (Scazzero, 2017, p. 40). By embracing both positive and negative sentiments, a person can learn to reflect and decide how to react to and manage the sensations (Scazzero, 2017, p. 43). The author states that God invites people to remove masks and reveal their authentic selves, which can be done by following four steps (Scazzero, 2017, p. 53). First, a person should explore his or her emotions in silence and solitude (Scazzero, 2017, p. 53). Second, individuals should have trusted companies to discover themselves (Scazzero, 2017, p. 54). Third, one should be ready to face challenges presented by uncomfortable situations (Scazzero, 2017, p. 56). Finally, people must pray for the Holy Spirit’s courage to continue changing (Scazzero, 2017, p. 57). Chapter 2 provides important information on how to grow emotionally by accepting one’s feelings and learning more about oneself.

Chapter 3: Learn from the Past

A central idea of the book concerns how people’s past affects their present lives. In Chapter 3, Scazzero (2017) proposes that a person is influenced by generations of their family and that it is necessary to cast aside the ancestors’ sinful patterns to relearn God’s way (p. 62). While reading Scripture and praying is rather easy, putting off deeply rooted harmful messages and habits of predecessors is more difficult (Scazzero, 2017, p. 68). Nevertheless, the author states that although an individual is impacted by their family of origin, one’s relatives do not determine the person’s future because God does so (Scazzero, 2017, p. 70). People are placed in particular families and cultures because of Lord’s plan, and by discovering more about the past, individuals learn about themselves and take control of their choices (Scazzero, 2017, p. 77). Instead of ignoring prior generations’ damaging qualities, a person should acknowledge such characteristics and select which features to keep and which not to pass on to future descendants (Scazzero, 2017, p. 77). Chapter 3 recommends that people must learn from the past to know themselves and subsequently understand God better.

Chapter 4: Let God Guide

Another main idea of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality focuses on overcoming troubles. In Chapter 4, Scazzero (2017) states that the transition into maturity in Christ mandates moving through the Wall, which is associated with an influential crisis in life (p. 88). An unexpected event can lead to a person questioning themselves and God (Scazzero, 2017, p. 88). However, the Wall is an important aspect of the journey toward Christ, yet it can make people stagnate (Scazzero, 2017, p. 89). The author declares that God is the One to direct an individual through the Wall, but there are some indicators of progress (Scazzero, 2017, p. 93). First, those who have crossed the Wall do not feel the need to judge others (Scazzero, 2017, p. 94). Second, being on the Wall’s other side means acknowledging that God is in control (Scazzero, 2017, p. 97). Third, people behind the Wall stop running ahead and wait for Lord (Scazzero, 2017, p. 98). Fourth, crossing the Wall helps a person detach from the counterfeit perception of self (Scazzero, 2017, p. 99). Chapter 4 suggests that people must have faith in God to guide them through crises.

Chapter 5: Grieve in God’s Way

One of the book’s central ideas concerns the role of losses and grief. In Chapter 5, Scazzero (2017) proposes that society perceives forfeitures as interrupters of routine life and strives to numb pain (p. 102). Nevertheless, when people lose continuously, they also begin to renounce their wrong views of God, and such disillusionment is accompanied by grief (Scazzero, 2017, p. 104). Consequently, there are several stages of biblical grieving in the family of Jesus. First, one must pay attention to their anger and sadness because when neglected, such feelings lead to passive-aggressive behavior or sarcasm (Scazzero, 2017, p. 110). Second, an individual must wait on God during confusing times (Scazzero, 2017, p. 112). Third, a person must embrace limits to become humble and grow (Scazzero, 2017, p. 115). Fourth, one must step on the path toward humility to mature in Jesus (Scazzero, 2017, p. 115). Fifths, grieving is meant to bless people by allowing losses to enlarge their souls (Scazzero, 2017, p. 118). Chapter 5 suggests that by accepting forfeitures and learning to mourn in Lord’s way, an individual evolves toward God.

Conclusion

To conclude, Peter Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality offers practical ideas that focus on readiness to change, emotional maturity, the role of feelings, lessons from the prior generations, crises, and grieving of losses. The author proposes that to truly devote themselves to God and become whole, people must transform. Accordingly, to shift closer to Jesus, one must grow emotionally, accept their sentiments, learn from the past, let God guide them, and mourn their forfeitures according to Lord.

Reference

Scazzero, P. (2017). Emotionally healthy spirituality. Zondervan.

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