Avoid distractions

Everyday in October I’m sharing a short excerpt from an influential book of faith. Today is a favorite I’ve read over and over.

: : : Inside-Out-by-Larry-Crabb

     Excerpt from Inside Out:

There is no place for sugar-coating in the life of a serious Christian.

Life is unspeakably sad.

But we’re more than conquerors over every cause of sadness.

. . . When hints of sadness creep into our soul, we must not flee into happy or distracting thoughts. Pondering the sadness until it becomes overwhelming can lead us to deep change in the direction of our being from self-preservation to grateful worship.

The richest love grows in the soil of an unbearable disappointment with life.

When we realize life can’t give us what we want, we can better give up our foolish demand that it do so and get on with the noble task of loving as we should. We will no longer need to demand protection from further disappointment.

The deepest change will occur in the life of a bold realist who clings to God with a passion only his realistic appraisal of life can generate.

– Dr. Larry Crabb

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8 thoughts on “Avoid distractions

  1. Dianna

    Added to the wish list! It is the way I keep track of these wonderful reads you share in your blog posts! Birthday is coming up and if I’m guessing correctly I will be able to “cash in” at Amazon on some of these great reviews you do! Love you!

    1. Lisa notes...

      I can highly recommend this book for your wish list, Dianna. I’ve returned to it numerous times over the years and it always helps me adjust my priorities back to where they should be. An order from Amazon is a great birthday gift!

  2. Linda@Creekside

    When it comes to favorite authors, Larry Crabb is right near the top. His wisdom has impacted my philosophy as a pastoral counselor … and my own personal struggles. Inside Out? One of the most influential books I’ve read along the way.

    1. Lisa notes...

      I’m glad to know you love Larry Crabb too, Linda! I’ve read several of his books and love them all, but especially Inside Out. He has a way of breaking things down for me in ways that I really can get.

  3. Barbara H.

    I’ve been meaning to tell you I think this is a great idea for a series. Maybe I’ll keep it in mind for next year. 🙂
    These quotes resonate with me. I don’t know how some folks miss these things in Scripture and think there is something wrong with a person’s faith if everything isn’t happy, happy hunky-dorey.

    Especially like this one: “When we realize life can’t give us what we want, we can better give up our foolish demand that it do so and get on with the noble task of loving as we should. We will no longer need to demand protection from further disappointment. “

    1. Lisa notes...

      Yes, this would be a great series for you to do. But your missionary series is also very fitting so I’m glad you’ve chosen that.

      This book has helped me to understand just what you said–that circumstances aren’t always pleasant but that doesn’t indicate a lack of faith on our part. It’s just life, and we shouldn’t demand that God make it pleasant or else we’ll drop our faith. He’s with us IN all circumstances and helps us through them, easy and hard ones.

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