Bounce Back: When Your Heart is Empty and Your Dreams are Lost

by Julie Clinton

YOU CAN DREAM AGAIN Each of us wants to feel God's presence more in our lives. We want to be able to let go of the past. To find more joy in each day. And to be free to be who we really are without criticism or limitation. Julie Clinton knows from her own life and from the stories of thousands of women she has talked with across the country that what many of us want most is hope . We want to Is there really a way forward when I can't see past the pain right now? In Bounce Back , Julie offers three steps to a more hope-filled breath, believe, and bounce back. You can rediscover your strength, your joy, and your true identity. You can bounce back. Includes questions for reflection or discussion .

Genres: Christian Living, Religion

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers practical advice for anyone who has suffered loss or discouragement. The author shares quotes throughout the book, and here are two I found meaningful: "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent: Eleanor Roosevelt (p. 76). "For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness" Ralph Waldo Emerson (p.52).

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a Christian Minister, something about this book just sits funny in my gut. Whilst there wasn't necessarily anything theologically untoward in the book, I just can't endorse it.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." ~ Albert Einstein

Most women desire to be women of faith, with spiritual depth and maturity, but how can you do that when dealing with pain, anger, sadness, discouragement, hopelessness and desperation? Why can you find encouragement while life hands you a truck load of lemons? How do you push past the emotions that are longing to keep your bound to your current lot in life when all you want to do is leave it all behind and move forward?

How do you overcome dealing with a spouse that has walked away from your marriage, leaving you a single mom with responsibilities of dealing with bills, the house, kids and going back to work?

How do you deal with losing someone you loved to death or disease when you know God could have healed them?

How do you push past the pain from abuse in your childhood that happened decades ago and now are having to confront the nightmares and emotions even though you thought you left it all behind?

How do you deal with a spouse that has walked away leaving you holding the bag while they move on with a women half your age and now years later he wants your forgiveness while you are still holding on to the bitterness and resentment?

How do you deal with the fifth miscarriage in your life while hoping to fill your home with the sounds of a family and children and are now told you can't have any more?

Do any of these terms describe you or perhaps all of these?

Overstressed

Overworked

Underappreciated

Underpaid

Burnt out

If you are like most women, you can lay claim to one or more of these terms even if you don't want to. Most of us simply don't know how to break out of being burdened, in bondage or carry emotional baggage that is too heavy for one person to carry. We realize we are broken but don't know how to fix it.

We want to be set free, to break out and to bounce back!

That is the reason for the book, Bounce Back from Julie Clinton, that has been written to show you how you can not only break free but to bounce back and see your life from a completely different perspective, using stories she has gained from women going through those very things mentioned above. She shows you how to have hope again. That God does love you and He wants a better life for you. He does have a way for you to move from where you are, to the better life of your future and that you can bounce back from what has been holding you back.

I received Bounce Back by Julie Clinton compliments of Worthy Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. I think every woman at some point in her life can look back and see times where her own set backs have held her back more than she wanted. Julie's book not only shows you that God is with you every step of the way, but through the stories she shares of what other women went through and got through, you can share in the hope we can bounce back and move forward through our circumstances no matter how difficult. They are all 100% survivable! I easily give this book a 4 out of 5 stars!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received from Worthy Publishing as part of their "First Look" program in return for an unbiased review. And they provided a copy to give to a reader!

Teaser Summary: "When Your Heart is Empty and Your Dreams are Lost" As women we can easily be affected by emotional pain from: death and disease, failure, disappointment, and rejection. God has also given us the ability to be resilient against this pain, simply by deciding to breath, believe, and bounce back.

Similar Titles/Authors: Anything by Beth Moore, The Anxiety Cure by Archibald Hart

Review: Neat fact, Julie's husband was the Professor of a pilot psychology course that I took. Also, Julie Clinton is the President of Extraordinary Women, an organization that hosts women's conferences throughout the country!

This book is a quick read, it only took me a day. What I enjoyed most about the encouragement to help women through their struggles was the stories of other women. This book does not tell women to ignore their problems, but rather to face them with the grace that God has uniquely given us as women.

I appreciate that the cover is feminine without screaming it in solid pink. I would guess that this book would be inviting for those who are girly, and those women who aren't a fan of the color pink.

Life Application: My Masters in Counseling appreciated the fact that much of the information in this book is based on a cognitive behavioral approach...the idea that we can be in control of our thoughts and thus change our feelings and behaviors. It helps to put us (and our rational minds) in the power seat in our lives.

At the end of the book there are great discussion questions that would be useful to an individual approach, group therapy, or as a Bible study group. There are so many uses for this material!

Age Level: Teen-Adult

Favorite Quote:
The most important person you can change or influence is the woman who looks back at you from your own mirror (pg. 53)

Overall Book Rating: Absolutely worth reading! Useful in one's own life, and to share with other women. This kind of material and encouragement can keep us women from becoming embittered with life's situations and instead remaining in God's grace filled healing!

Want a chance to win a copy? Comment here: http://belleslibraryshelf.blogspot.co...

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up with a very religious background, thanks to my step-mom & a wonderful. Loving 1st set of foster parents. 1 day maybe I will get back into the church.

As a former crisis/school social worker I enjoyed reading this very outstanding informative real daily life PPL’s situations book. Working on 2 other masters degrees (rehab, drug/alcohol) we were taught that the client brings out the religious nature of their concerns/issues. Working in the local jail environment & leading psychosocial group’s time/time again the religious side of an individual was in our daily counseling/group session. I have flipped thanks to a great male professor from CBT to a lot of other forms of therapy individually fit to/for a certain client’s needs.

I would highly recommend this religious biblical type of format book even for the college undergrad/grad level to add to their curriculum. Of course some schools there is the sometimes ridiculous church/state. This book is geared for females but no doubt it can be used as well for us males (androgynous). A must read for anyone else also.

My thoughts: Just Stand Up (the Cancer song), or pull up your bootstraps, or get back on your horse…

Awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written religious biblical informative personal reference (step/step) book. It was very easy to read/follow & never a dull moment from start/finish. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. No grammar errors, repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of unique individual scenarios & a host of great characters. This could make a great PP presentation, movie or mini TV series. No doubt in my mind a very easy rating of 5 stars for this book.

Thank you for the free Autographed book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Claire Efird · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I received The book Bounce Back in the mail, I was intrigued by the tag line on the front cover.When your hear t is empty and your dreams are lost. I had spent the last year saying goodbye to a big part of my life. I "retired" from running my own bookstore. I knew that the subject of this book would be very familiar to me. I only hoped that it would be helpful and not harmful. I was not dissappointed. While Julie does not provide answers to all of the pain and suffering that comes with broken dreams, she does point the reader solidly to the one who does comfort, Jesus Christ. Loaded with stories from women Julie has encountered over the years and laced with scripture pointing to the truth of our salvation and the grace that only Christ provides, Julie shows the reader that she is not alone in suffering. Using the lives of biblical characters, she points to Christ as the healer, not more doing or striving. By breathing, that is taking a step back and simply resting, believing, in our identity as Christians, and bouncing back. All of this, says Julie must be in line with scripture. She gives several tips onimmersing yourself in God's word and does warn the reader that what we believe must line up with the scripture, and she gives some practical tips to help to make sure it does. Julie gives the reader a practical, step by step plan to move from paralyzing pain of disappointment to a fulfilling walk with the Lord that can lead to new purpose and meaning. I recommend this book to anyone who has experinced the pain of lost dreams and may ask why? or how? will I move forward.

[Taunya R · Rating 5 out of 5]

We desire to be full of joy and peace. Many of us have a deep desire to abide in the presence of our God. So how does a woman find His presence when tragedy and sorrows overwhelm her soul? How does she find the strength to go on when her heart is empty and her dreams are lost?

In Bounce Back Julie Clinton describes the common things women long for:

God's presence;
A personal miracle;
The ability to let go of the past;
More enthusiasm for living;
Greater authenticity & fulfillment in life.
Women today are overstressed, overworked, underappreciated, underpaid and just plain burnt out! Where's God when we need him? Where's the fulfilling life we were promised? We may feel down in the depths of sorrow but Julie brings us a promise: "YOU CAN BOUNCE BACK."

Written for the woman who is tired of the status quo, this book will help her find the peace she desires...needs. If you are ready to make the changes there are three decisions to make: Breathe, Believe and Bounce Back! This is not a pull-up-your-bootstraps and get to work book. Still, it's not a everything-is-solved-on-the cross book. It challenges the reader to get to work on bouncing back while knowing that God is right there holding them up.

Written for: The busy mom dealing with life's daily disappointments. The woman who finds herself facing disappointment alone. The saint jaded by the un-Christian actions of the church. The soul needing peace.

Why I like this book: Easy-to-read. Relatable personal stories. Examples of biblical women who bounced back. A no-nonsense book about getting to work without erasing the mercy of Christ.

Do I recommend: Absolutely!

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brokenhearted, disappointed, and wanting more from life—if we are honest, most of us have endured a season or two or incredible difficulty. Julie Clinton sees and hears the needs and concerns of women all over America on a regular basis. She shows the way forward when all seems lost. In this transparent and encouraging book she walks beside her readers, revealing three steps to a more fulfilled life: breathe, believe, and bounce back. Clinton provides wisdom and encouragement to help women rediscover their joy and strength.

-- 1 Peter 5:10 After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Julie Clinton has tons of wonderful wisdom nuggets in this small but wise book. One of the best quotes I think was, "People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges (Joseph Fort Newton). Isn't that the truth. Julie just describes a lot of different scenarios in which we find ourselves in and wisdom nuggets. The reflection guide at the end I do believe is very thorough, but won't take a lot of time for you to work through. This book is perfect for a gift as well!

This book is so worth the read, underline it, do the exercises. I promise you will BOUNCE back!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Beckie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Bounce Back: When Your Heart is Empty and Your Dreams are Lost" by Julie Clinton is a life coaching style Christian based book on helping women who are hurt or struggling, to learn to: breath, believe, and bounce back. Clinton gives in a text book format using scripture and women's life stories to share how to do those three things to recover from pain and enjoy life again.

I read this book when I didn't have any true problems or struggles currently happening in my life. So, I found it to be a bit of a downer. However, about in the middle of the book, Clinton takes on a chapter about the common "overwork" of women, especially mothers. You know, where you hide in order to have a little peace. This part of the book I sat up and took notice. I completely absorbed this area of the book. It actually made me feel better that what I go through on a regular bases is common enough to be given a whole chapter. I would expect that the rest of the book, though not pertaining to me at the moment, would be exceptionally helpful to someone who is struggling. I received this book for free from First Look.

[Crystal Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely could relate with Julie Clinton’s new book, Bounce Back. I have often times felt that my heart is empty and my dreams are lost. I felt lonely and like there is no one out there who can relate to how I have been feeling. Was I wrong? After seeing this book and reading what it was about, I knew it was written for me.
After beginning to read, I realized its just not about feeling lost or being lonely, that I still was experiencing grief from the loss of my grandmother. This book really helped, I loved how she used real stories from real women to help explain situations we go through.
I loved the quotes she would use. One of my favorites is, “The most important person you can change or influence is the woman who looks back at you from your own mirror.” WOW, that is so true!!! How many times do we try to change others but never try to change ourselves? This book is packed with wonderful life lessons and has a wonderful reflection guide at the end.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels lost or lonely. You definitely will not regret purchasing this book.

Thank you to Worthy Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book for my honest review!

[Debbie Mcfarlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Julie Clinton, President of Extraordinary Women Ministries shares countless stories about women who have “bounced back” from the black holes that they found themselves in after dire circumstances, heartache, abandonment, shame, sickness, and other deep hurt. How do you begin to put the pieces back together after your dreams have been shattered? Julie shares some real insight, encouragement and support.

Her three points are: Breathe, Believe, and Bounce Back. There are a lot of truths in this book! I have been in these trenches before and I can relate to most of the women in the stories that she tells. Julie has a deep understanding as well as compassion for the women that find themselves in their particular story. At first I was a little turned off by the “counselor prose” as she authors the book from her perspective as minister. However, these are real women with real stories and she gives great advice coupled with scripture references. I have gained encouragement and tools to help me through the sorrow that comes from circumstances of life.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathe...shed the old hurt so you are ready to take on the new joy
Believe...reaffirm your values and beliefs
Bounce Back...emotionally and spiritually finding purpose and progress

"Life can be lived fully even in the midst of disappointments, discouraging events, and difficult problems."

"Decide that perfection is not possible, completion is admirable, and self-forgiveness is required." --cure for stress

"God never asks that we know or understand everything. He asks that we trust Him."
"The greater truth is that we rarely need to know fully why God does what He does or why He allows what He allows. We can know with certainty that God loves us and that He cares for us in our sorrow-deeply and tenderly-and that God has a purpose for all that He does even if we don't see or understand that purpose."

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Full Disclosure: I received a paperback of this title from Goodreads and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Most of the women Julie Clinton advises do not want to have burdens and emotional baggage, but they need to have guidance “to be set free, break out, and bounce back!” She gives helpful hints for recovery, such as self-examination, slowing down (to avoid burnout), small groups, and Christian counseling. She emphasizes that nothing is wasted.

In addition to suggestions to overcome our losses and /or grief, the author emphasizes the need for self-care, like taking a retreat.

A Reflection Guide is included to either use alone or in a small group.

Recommended for public libraries and small Bible study Groups.

[Courtney Whisenant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to win a copy of this book from Goodreads. I am a big fan of Julie Clinton and her Extraordinary Women ministry. I am also a big fan of Lysa TerKeurst who wrote the blurb on the front cover that sold me on the book. Unfortunately, this particular book was just ok for me. I was expecting more meat in terms of content and definitely more inspiration. Yes, it's important to have real life examples and to know that you aren't alone in your struggles, but maybe there were too many examples for me. I found myself dreading the read because it either made me feel down or bored. I'm still a fan and look forward to more of her books but this one just didn't stick with me.

[Lisa Moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no doubt that this book will be useful to many women seeking spiritual guidance. I, however, felt that it did not really distinguish itself from other self- help books of this kind. I wanted to hear more personal narratives of the real women that the author has influenced. I also felt that the steps to bouncing back that the author includes, are much too simplistic for many people struggling with serious issues.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My entire review can be seen here:
http://www.dawnwhitmorespeaks.org/201...