Better Than My Dreams: Finding What You Long For Where You Might Not Think to Look

by Paula Rinehart

The story of everywoman's emotional and spiritual journey, helping her release stored up false hopes and preconceived notions by replacing them with the wonderful reality God is weaving into her life. Every morning we face the day with a set of expectations about how things will or should be. Author Paula Rinehart says, "The oddest part about our mental images is that we don't know they are there until the video of our lives plays out in a different fashion." Offering a radical shift in perspective, Paula guides readers to a fresh discovery that the story of our lives may look vastly different than what we anticipated-but that it's a good thing. Better Than My Dreams charts a course that enables a woman to jettison her old baggage and to discover that what God is creating might be better than she ever dreamed for herself, where fellowship with Christ, rather than fulfillment of dreams, is the real prize. This deeper awareness, that God knows what He's doing with our lives, allows us to truly let go and enjoy the trip as we learn to live, love, and embrace whatever comes. Better Than My Dreams helps women:

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Self Help, Christian Non Fiction, Inspirational, Christian Living

236 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2007

About the author

I'm happy to share with you my latest book (written with Connally Gillam). It's called ...And Yet Undaunted: Embraced by the Goodness of God in the Chaos of Life. I think you'll find it a fresh take on God's goodness when life look anything but that, so to speak. Some of you know I wrote Strong Women, Soft Hearts and Sex and the Soul of a Woman. I'm a counselor and speaker living in Raleigh, North Carolina, but really, my first love is writing and books.
I think you'll find this latest book, especially, describes the life you are living....and the hope on the horizon you can see, however faintly at times.

Reviews

[Amber Hoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better than I thought it would be, though I’m not sure why I expected it to not be as good as it was. The last few chapters on the pleasures of Jesus’ company were especially encouraging. A good book for addressing disappointment or unanswered prayers but also just a solid read on walking with God through different seasons.

Plus a couple parts reminded me of Hinds Feet on High Places which earned major bonus points from me!!

[Anita Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was at least the third time I've read it in about 15 yrs and I loved it as much as ever before. Paula's voice is gentle, humble, respectful, experienced, and full of wonder without being a gushy Polyanna.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book about how life isn't always as you expect it to be. One quote, "...it's a lifelong challenge to live with a heart that remains open to God and alive to possibility - even in the face of disappointment. Yet a hopeful heart is absolutely vital to experiencing the richness and the wonder of the journey God has for you."

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the exact time I needed to read this book. It is essentially a deeper look at the purpose of suffering and how the Lord works in us when our lives look differently than we thought they would... and how that is actually the better thing.

[Kristin Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good! I checked it out of the Jax library and I would like to buy this book so that I can re-read it and write in it. :) It would also be a good book to read and discuss with other women. There is a reflection and study guide in the back.

Some of the book reminded me of recent things I've heard from Beth Moore on getting out of the pit, on loving well and knowing/embracing God's love for me.

Some favorite quotes:
It takes faith to believe that if God says no to a good dream...it means God is up to something that will, eventually, have his glory written all over it. - p. 20

A hopeful heart is absolutely vital to experiencing the richness and the wonder of the journey God has for you. - p.21

**The only way to keep your heart alive in the face of all that life throws your way is to decide that there are worse things than being disappointed. p. 25

The real thing to fear is that we'll try to manage disappointment on our own. p. 28

The struggle is part of the relationship. It's what makes for intimacy. p. 31

It's the lie inside the loss that will determine our future. p. 46

The ability to own your stuff with God and with others is the wildest freedom on the planet. p. 58

How am I going to allow the detours and the lost years and the mistakes to take their proper place in a life that is, somehow, being orchestrated by a God who loves me? p. 102

The common theme that emerges from the lives of women who smile at the futuyre - women who love their lives - is that they've discovered the intersection where their deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet. p. 160

Do what God puts in front of you and trust him with the outcome. p. 166

The irony is that whatever our gifts are, they feel ordinary inside our own skin. p. 167

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read every one of her books--she talks about how God offers a different sort of wonderful than the one we had in mind. Her books transform me...

[Samantha Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening read with helpful advice and full of hope.
Definitely recommend this book if you are spiritual!

[Groups]

Per Gina Robertson:

Deals with disappointment & difficulties of life. Finding a closer relationship with Christ through this and learning to trust in God's love for you. Experience great joy when we discover where our deep gladness and the world's deep needs are met.

Can be fairly deep and slight counseling orientation.

10 weeks, 45 minutes per week
book with questions
shelves: intimacy with God

[RF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paula spoke this book at one of our summer women's gatherings - it led to some amazing conversations.

This book is ideal for people who are dealing with disillusionment- aka, life not working out at all as we expect...

Her book "Strong Women, Soft Hearts" made an impact on me in early twenties.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy, day-trip kind of book with enough yeses and ah-has in womanly communion to make me want to read her other spiritually-inspiring works. It's not fine literature, but tasty enough for snacking fun.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Paula Rhinehart's sincerity and wisdom. She clears knows God and has so much to offer to women with her deep insight and wealth of personal and professional experience. Some of the insights in this book were life-changing and powerfully encouraging. Highly recommend.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book that can be read as a devotional. Reading the book I wanted to highlight the whole thing! It was such an encouraging and insightful read about how God offers us a different sort of wonderful than the one we have in mind, and it is good.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those "life-changing" books. So many profound thoughts!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful exploration of what's really important in life.

[Christine E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book that literally met my heart in a difficult season of life.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading this book for the second time. Great perspective on life's disappointments.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

tremendous emphasis on self instead of God - not my favorite Bible study...

[Kathy]

It is my second time reading this book- this time with a good friend- such beautiful wisdom!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stop focusing on the vague idea of where you think you're going / what you deserve from life. Find where your great joy meets the great need of the world.