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Get Your Life Back

Get Your Life Back

Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad
by John Eldredge 2020 256 pages
4.42
4k+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Pause and Release: The One Minute Pause

I simply take sixty seconds to be still and let everything go.

Reclaim your soul. In our frantic world, the One Minute Pause offers a lifeline to sanity. This simple practice involves taking just 60 seconds to release everything to God. It's a moment to breathe, to let go of burdens, and to create space for God to enter.

How to practice:

  • Set aside one minute, several times a day
  • Release everything to God, saying "I give everyone and everything to you"
  • Ask for more of God: "Jesus, I need more of you; fill me with more of you"

This pause is accessible and sustainable, fitting easily into a busy life. It opens up soul-space and breathing room, training our souls to find God as a common experience rather than a rare one.

2. Practice Benevolent Detachment

Benevolent detachment is your way out.

Lighten your load. Benevolent detachment is the art of letting go with kindness. It's about releasing the world's burdens, our worries, and even people's expectations of us. This practice creates emotional and spiritual space, allowing us to receive more of God.

Steps to benevolent detachment:

  • Recognize what you're holding onto (worries, responsibilities, expectations)
  • Consciously release these to God
  • Practice saying, "I give this to you, God"
  • Allow yourself to feel the relief of letting go

By practicing benevolent detachment, we free ourselves from the weight of the world and open ourselves to God's presence and guidance.

3. Embrace Beauty as Soul Nourishment

Beauty comforts. Beauty heals.

Feed your soul. Beauty is not a luxury; it's essential nourishment for our souls. God has filled the world with beauty as a renewable resource for our spiritual well-being. Engaging with beauty can restore, revive, and reconnect us with God.

Ways to embrace beauty:

  • Spend time in nature
  • Appreciate art and music
  • Create something beautiful
  • Notice small, everyday beauties

By intentionally seeking and appreciating beauty, we open ourselves to God's goodness and allow our souls to be refreshed and healed.

4. Unplug from Technology's Grip

We live most of our year in suburbia, in a small valley on the edge of our city. Years before suburban development crept in, a convent was established here by the Sisters of St. Francis.

Reclaim your attention. Our constant connectivity is eroding our souls and our ability to connect with God. By unplugging, we create space for deeper experiences and relationships.

Strategies for unplugging:

  • Turn off notifications
  • Set specific times for checking emails and social media
  • Create tech-free zones in your home
  • Practice regular digital fasts

Unplugging allows us to be more present in our lives and with God, fostering deeper connections and spiritual growth.

5. Show Kindness to Yourself

Kindness means not expecting perfection in these practices, not requiring yourself to feel anything, being gracious about your heart's slow journey toward God.

Nurture your soul. Self-kindness is often overlooked but is crucial for spiritual health. It involves treating ourselves with the same compassion and understanding we extend to others.

Ways to practice self-kindness:

  • Speak to yourself gently
  • Allow for imperfection in your spiritual journey
  • Give yourself time and space to grow
  • Celebrate small victories

By being kind to ourselves, we create an environment where our souls can heal and flourish, making us more receptive to God's love and guidance.

6. Allow for Transitions in Life

Your soul needs transition time. Especially in this world.

Honor life's rhythms. Our souls need time to transition between different activities and phases of life. Rushing from one thing to another without pause can leave us feeling fragmented and disconnected.

Strategies for healthy transitions:

  • Build buffer time between activities
  • Practice mindfulness during transitions
  • Create rituals for major life changes
  • Allow yourself to process endings before beginning new things

By allowing for transitions, we give our souls the space to adjust, reflect, and prepare, leading to a more integrated and peaceful life.

7. Reconnect with Nature

Nature heals; nature restores.

Embrace the outdoors. Spending time in nature is not just a luxury; it's essential for our spiritual and emotional well-being. Nature has a unique ability to restore our souls and connect us with God.

Ways to reconnect with nature:

  • Take regular walks outdoors
  • Spend time gardening
  • Sit quietly in a natural setting
  • Observe and appreciate wildlife

By intentionally reconnecting with nature, we open ourselves to God's presence in creation and allow our souls to be refreshed and renewed.

8. Remember Who and What You Love

Every moment you have ever been happy, thrilled, comforted, hopeful . . . that was God loving you.

Cultivate gratitude. Remembering the people and things we love helps us reconnect with God's goodness in our lives. It's a practice that can lift our spirits and strengthen our faith.

Practices for remembering:

  • Keep a gratitude journal
  • Reflect on happy memories
  • Spend time with loved ones
  • Revisit places that hold special meaning

By actively remembering what we love, we remind ourselves of God's presence and goodness in our lives, fostering a deeper connection with Him.

9. Surrender the Self Life

Benevolent detachment is your way out.

Release control. Surrendering the Self Life means letting go of our need to control everything and instead trusting God. It's about moving from self-centeredness to God-centeredness.

Steps to surrender:

  • Recognize areas where you're holding onto control
  • Practice daily surrender to God
  • Let go of the need to always be right or in charge
  • Trust God's plan for your life

By surrendering the Self Life, we create space for God to work in and through us, leading to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

10. Care for Neglected Places in Your Soul

It takes more of you to find more of God.

Heal inner wounds. Our souls often have neglected areas that need care and attention. These might be past hurts, unresolved grief, or unfulfilled dreams.

Ways to care for your soul:

  • Practice self-reflection
  • Seek professional help if needed
  • Engage in creative expression
  • Allow yourself to feel and process emotions

By tending to these neglected areas, we become more whole and better able to connect with God and others.

11. Cultivate Belief as a Choice

Belief is something we muster, set ourselves to, and practice.

Choose faith. Belief is not just a feeling; it's a choice we make and a muscle we exercise. By actively choosing to believe, even in difficult times, we strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with God.

Practices for cultivating belief:

  • Daily affirmations of faith
  • Study and meditate on scripture
  • Surround yourself with a community of believers
  • Choose to trust God in challenging situations

By treating belief as a choice and a practice, we can develop a more resilient and vibrant faith.

12. Pursue Union with God

We are after union, oneness—where our being and God's Being become intertwined.

Seek deep connection. The ultimate goal of our spiritual journey is union with God—a deep, intimate connection where our lives become intertwined with His.

Steps toward union:

  • Practice the presence of God throughout your day
  • Cultivate a listening heart through prayer and meditation
  • Align your will with God's will
  • Seek God in all aspects of life

By pursuing union with God, we fulfill our deepest purpose and find the abundant life He promises.

Last updated:

FAQ

What's "Get Your Life Back" about?

  • Author's Perspective: "Get Your Life Back" by John Eldredge addresses the overwhelming pace and digital deluge of modern life, which he describes as taking our lives hostage.
  • Core Message: The book offers practical steps to reclaim one's life and soul from the chaos of the world, emphasizing the need for spiritual and emotional restoration.
  • Everyday Practices: Eldredge introduces simple, accessible practices like the One Minute Pause, benevolent detachment, and engaging with beauty to help readers find peace and reconnect with God.
  • Spiritual Focus: The book is deeply rooted in Christian spirituality, encouraging readers to deepen their relationship with God as a means to restore their souls.

Why should I read "Get Your Life Back"?

  • Practical Solutions: The book provides actionable steps to combat the stress and distraction of modern life, making it relevant for anyone feeling overwhelmed.
  • Spiritual Growth: It offers a pathway to deepen one's spiritual life and relationship with God, which can be appealing to those seeking more meaning and connection.
  • Emotional Healing: Eldredge addresses the emotional toll of living in a fast-paced world and offers ways to heal and nurture one's soul.
  • Accessible Practices: The practices suggested are simple and can be easily integrated into daily life, making them practical for busy individuals.

What are the key takeaways of "Get Your Life Back"?

  • One Minute Pause: A practice to create space in your day for God, allowing you to release stress and reconnect with your soul.
  • Benevolent Detachment: Learning to let go of burdens and entrust them to God, freeing oneself from unnecessary emotional entanglements.
  • Engaging with Beauty: Recognizing and receiving beauty as a gift from God that can heal and restore the soul.
  • Union with God: The ultimate goal is to cultivate a deep, intertwined relationship with God, which provides strength and resilience.

What is the "One Minute Pause" in "Get Your Life Back"?

  • Simple Practice: The One Minute Pause is a brief, intentional break to release stress and reconnect with God.
  • Steps Involved: It involves letting go of burdens, asking for union with God, and expressing love and belief in Him.
  • Purpose: The practice is designed to create space in your day for spiritual renewal and to help you find peace amidst chaos.
  • Accessibility: It can be done anywhere, anytime, making it a practical tool for busy lives.

How does "Benevolent Detachment" work in "Get Your Life Back"?

  • Letting Go: Benevolent Detachment involves releasing people, situations, and burdens to God, trusting Him to handle them.
  • Emotional Freedom: This practice helps free individuals from emotional entanglements and the stress of trying to control everything.
  • Spiritual Trust: It encourages a deeper trust in God's care and provision, allowing for a more peaceful and centered life.
  • Daily Practice: Eldredge suggests making this a regular part of one's spiritual routine to maintain emotional and spiritual health.

What role does beauty play in "Get Your Life Back"?

  • Healing Power: Beauty is seen as a gift from God that has the power to heal and restore the soul.
  • Daily Engagement: Eldredge encourages readers to intentionally engage with beauty in their surroundings as a form of spiritual nourishment.
  • Connection to God: Recognizing beauty as a reflection of God's goodness helps deepen one's relationship with Him.
  • Practical Application: The book suggests simple ways to incorporate beauty into daily life, such as spending time in nature or appreciating art.

How does "Get Your Life Back" address the issue of technology and distraction?

  • Digital Overload: Eldredge highlights the negative impact of constant digital engagement on our attention and spiritual life.
  • Unplugging: He advocates for intentional periods of unplugging from technology to create space for God and personal reflection.
  • Attention Assault: The book discusses how the barrage of information and notifications can take our attention hostage, leading to a shallow existence.
  • Practical Steps: Suggestions include turning off notifications, setting boundaries for technology use, and engaging in real-world activities.

What is the significance of "Union with God" in "Get Your Life Back"?

  • Ultimate Goal: Union with God is presented as the ultimate goal of the Christian life, providing strength and resilience.
  • Intertwined Life: Eldredge describes it as an intertwined life where one's being is saturated with God's presence.
  • Healing Union: The book emphasizes healing one's union with God, especially after trauma or suffering, to restore spiritual vitality.
  • Daily Practice: Readers are encouraged to pray for and actively seek this union as part of their spiritual journey.

How does "Get Your Life Back" suggest dealing with loss and grief?

  • Acknowledging Loss: Eldredge encourages readers to acknowledge and name their losses as a step toward healing.
  • Emotional Honesty: The book advocates for allowing oneself to feel and express emotions related to grief and disappointment.
  • Inviting God In: Readers are guided to invite God's presence into their grief, seeking His comfort and healing.
  • Practical Tools: Suggestions include journaling, prayer, and engaging with nature as ways to process and heal from loss.

What are some of the best quotes from "Get Your Life Back" and what do they mean?

  • "The world has gone completely mad, and it’s trying to take our souls with it." This highlights the chaotic nature of modern life and the need to protect one's soul.
  • "God wants to strengthen and renew your soul; Jesus longs to give you more of himself." Emphasizes God's desire for a deeper relationship with us and the renewal it brings.
  • "Beauty rescues. It rescues because it is merciful, comforting." Suggests that beauty is a divine gift that can heal and restore us.
  • "You can’t find more of God when all you’re able to give him is a flit and flicker of your attention." Stresses the importance of focused attention in experiencing God's presence.

How does "Get Your Life Back" propose we handle the "Self Life"?

  • Identifying the Self Life: Eldredge describes the Self Life as the part of us that demands its own way and resists God's rule.
  • Crucifying the Self: The book suggests daily surrender of the Self Life to God, allowing Him to be the center of our lives.
  • Relief from Burden: Letting go of the Self Life is portrayed as a relief, freeing us from the burdens of self-centeredness.
  • Practical Steps: Includes practices like prayer, worship, and focusing on others' success to diminish the Self Life's influence.

What are the daily practices recommended in "Get Your Life Back"?

  • One Minute Pause: A brief, intentional break to release stress and reconnect with God.
  • Benevolent Detachment: Letting go of burdens and entrusting them to God.
  • Engaging with Beauty: Intentionally seeking and appreciating beauty as a form of spiritual nourishment.
  • Union with God: Praying for and actively seeking a deeper, intertwined relationship with God.

Review Summary

4.42 out of 5
Average of 4k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Get Your Life Back received mostly positive reviews, with readers praising its practical advice on slowing down and reconnecting with God in a chaotic world. Many found the book's suggestions, like the one-minute pause and unplugging from technology, helpful for reducing stress and improving mental health. Readers appreciated Eldredge's relatable writing style and personal anecdotes. Some criticism focused on the book's religious content and perceived rushed publication. Overall, most readers found the book's message timely and impactful for modern life.

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About the Author

John Eldredge is a prominent Christian author, counselor, and speaker known for his best-selling book Wild at Heart. His works often focus on spirituality, masculinity, and personal growth from a Christian perspective. Eldredge's writing style is characterized by its accessibility and use of personal stories to illustrate spiritual concepts. He has written numerous books on Christian living and has a significant following among evangelical Christians. Eldredge's approach often combines traditional Christian teachings with insights from psychology and contemporary culture. He is also the founder of Ransomed Heart Ministries, an organization dedicated to helping people discover their true identity in Christ and live more fulfilling lives.

Other books by John Eldredge

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