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Whole: An Honest Look at the Holes in Your Life--and How to Let God Fill Them
How to get past whatever’s holding you back—and start living a whole new story
We all have holes in our lives—those things we lament about ourselves. Those things we allow to define us in ways we don’t like. Those things that keep us from living the life God wants for us.
But what if you discovered that the holes in your life are really the things that will ultimately make you . . . well, whole?
Author and communicator Lisa Whittle knows this all too well. When her world was rocked to the core in a very public way, her faith and whole reason for living were challenged like never before. In that moment, Lisa was confronted by the holes in her spiritual life. And what she learned not only changed her life, but could bring great possibilities to yours.
In Whole , Lisa calls you to take an honest look at your holes, discover how to fill them with God’s presence, and get to a real and vibrant place of wholeness instead. In her trademark bold, compassionate, and relatable voice, Lisa takes you on a transformational journey of understanding who you really are . . . and what you were born to be and do.
We all have holes in our lives—those things we lament about ourselves. Those things we allow to define us in ways we don’t like. Those things that keep us from living the life God wants for us.
But what if you discovered that the holes in your life are really the things that will ultimately make you . . . well, whole?
Author and communicator Lisa Whittle knows this all too well. When her world was rocked to the core in a very public way, her faith and whole reason for living were challenged like never before. In that moment, Lisa was confronted by the holes in her spiritual life. And what she learned not only changed her life, but could bring great possibilities to yours.
In Whole , Lisa calls you to take an honest look at your holes, discover how to fill them with God’s presence, and get to a real and vibrant place of wholeness instead. In her trademark bold, compassionate, and relatable voice, Lisa takes you on a transformational journey of understanding who you really are . . . and what you were born to be and do.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
10 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Whittle
37 books172 followersLisa Whittle is the author of 7 books, and a sought-out Bible teacher for her wit and bold, bottom line approach. A pastor's daughter and long-time ministry leader in issues relevant to the Church, Lisa is the founder of Ministry Strong and the popular Jesus Over Everything podcast. Her love runs deep to see people pursue Jesus for life, grow deep roots of faith, and walk strong in the midst of a world that so often seems to have gone crazy. She has done master's work in Marriage and Family Counseling, been featured on numerous media outlets in print, online, radio, podcast and TV through the years, and advocated for Compassion, International. Lisa and her husband of 24 years live in North Carolina with their 3 mostly-grown children who still (mostly) come home for dinner.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 28, 2025
I appreciate the author being open about her journey so it is relatable.
The thing is as Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun. Unless you are a new believer, I don’t think there was anything remarkable about this book.
It boils down to realizing life is hard and it hurts and we all have issues because of that (also the good things make us want more good or the same comfort).
We have to move past all the struggles and doubt and really want to pursue God. The issue with that is it is very personal and no one can tell you HOW to do that other than what you know- keep going to church, read your Bible, pray and serve. Once you can bridge the gap between wanting to do it and doing it, sounds like it works.
The negative part is if you won’t put the work in you won’t get there. And maybe it’s just me, but I have tried and my “holes” are still winning and I am having trouble with “do more” when I don’t want to. God has shown up for me in the past but it’s hard to move past the things that still don’t work. Not trying to be negative but if you don’t work on the issue you won’t get there- this book does nothing to help you bridge the gap between knowing and actually caring enough to do it.
The thing is as Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun. Unless you are a new believer, I don’t think there was anything remarkable about this book.
It boils down to realizing life is hard and it hurts and we all have issues because of that (also the good things make us want more good or the same comfort).
We have to move past all the struggles and doubt and really want to pursue God. The issue with that is it is very personal and no one can tell you HOW to do that other than what you know- keep going to church, read your Bible, pray and serve. Once you can bridge the gap between wanting to do it and doing it, sounds like it works.
The negative part is if you won’t put the work in you won’t get there. And maybe it’s just me, but I have tried and my “holes” are still winning and I am having trouble with “do more” when I don’t want to. God has shown up for me in the past but it’s hard to move past the things that still don’t work. Not trying to be negative but if you don’t work on the issue you won’t get there- this book does nothing to help you bridge the gap between knowing and actually caring enough to do it.
June 24, 2021
My one word for 2021 is Thrive and I'm so grateful for the lessons Lisa teaches about thriving as a Christian in this book but I'm most grateful for her vulnerability and transparency. Lisa Whittle shares her life stories about her father (a former pastor) losing his church in a very public way. She writes about the lessons God taught her and her husband as they opened and shuttered Thrive church over the course of 13 months. Mostly Lisa writes about the difference between being a Christian who lives with holes in their faith versus one who seeks to have a whole relationship.
February 5, 2018
It was surprisingly better than I thought it would be. Started a little slow, but overall really good.
September 13, 2020
I can not identify with the authors voice/writing style. It feels like she’s writing a school paper. In the end it did get better. I felt for the authors life experiences.
October 23, 2020
The message was good. Her sentences are so long and cumbersome it was difficult to read more than a few pages at a time.
February 6, 2022
overall good message but tough to follow at moments and a bit redundant
May 19, 2024
Reading this book I realized that everything happens really for a reason. It’s either you accept everything and learn from it or take it other way around.
November 23, 2013
Continuing on with my audiobook collection in the car tactic, I picked up Whole: An Honest Look at the Holes in Your Life and How to Let God Fill Them by Lisa Whittle from Family Christian because it 1.) intrigued me and 2.) was on sale at 50% off. Coming off of Prototype: What Happens When You Discover You're More Like Jesus Than You Think? by Jonathan Martin, I was on a high for Jesus Christ though I am always on cloud nine for my Lord and Savior. Hoping to continue the happiness and understanding from the prior audiobook, I hoped this new audiobook would deliver too. I am happy to say it did.
Lisa Whittle explains her stories both as a young girl growing up as a pastor's daughter, her fall away from the church, and her loving return thanks to Jesus Christ and how the holes left from each experience were filled by love and understanding. Without going into too much detail, it is good to see examples utilized from the author's life instead of just a scenario painting on a general basis. I love how she is so willing to express the emotions I felt towards Jesus too as in anger, betrayal, and denial.
She also goes into detail on emotions and scenarios that may or may not include prospects that will either confuse or misinterpret what she has felt or says but in a way that shows that even Jesus filling the voids in your life can be misleading not because he is not perfect but because you are imperfect. Everything Jesus does is perfect and though the methods may not be understood for a season, there is a reason for what he does and how he does it. I learned this first hand working for who I used to work for.
In the end, this is a great book to be reading. I would think it would be a great testament for those who have many holes in their lives but want to trust Jesus Christ. I myself love this book and would suggest it to my Christ following friends especially the broken ones.
Lisa Whittle explains her stories both as a young girl growing up as a pastor's daughter, her fall away from the church, and her loving return thanks to Jesus Christ and how the holes left from each experience were filled by love and understanding. Without going into too much detail, it is good to see examples utilized from the author's life instead of just a scenario painting on a general basis. I love how she is so willing to express the emotions I felt towards Jesus too as in anger, betrayal, and denial.
She also goes into detail on emotions and scenarios that may or may not include prospects that will either confuse or misinterpret what she has felt or says but in a way that shows that even Jesus filling the voids in your life can be misleading not because he is not perfect but because you are imperfect. Everything Jesus does is perfect and though the methods may not be understood for a season, there is a reason for what he does and how he does it. I learned this first hand working for who I used to work for.
In the end, this is a great book to be reading. I would think it would be a great testament for those who have many holes in their lives but want to trust Jesus Christ. I myself love this book and would suggest it to my Christ following friends especially the broken ones.
October 26, 2011
This is a book with more than just a cute title making a play on the words whole and hole, it is a book about giving God your pain to fill.
The author, Lisa Whittle, writes from experience. She grew up in the role of a pastor's daughter. She found comfort in this role and knew how to work it so she would be admired. That is, until someone saw through her facade at church camp and called her on it. She was upset, but realized that man was right, she wasn't what she appeared to be. Later, her father lost his church because he transported a deer head across state lines without a $2 licence. Sounds harmless enough but the fish and game commission and later the IRS investigated him, and he could have landed in prison. No church wants a pastor who may be facing a prison sentence, so he resigned, and the role of pastor's daughter -- the role that defined her -- was left gaping. And the people at church she had grown to love? The people who swarmed around her popular father? They were no where to be seen. Her role became a hole. What now? She still adored her father, but life was so changed. Later when she was in seminary, a speaker at chapel didn't know she was a student and used the story of her father as a sermon illustration, and didn't even have all facts correct.
Everyone has pain. Everyone has issues. No two lives are identical, but Lisa Whittle tells her story while weaving together a plan on how we can rid ourselves of our pain by allowing God to make our holes into wholes.
I would expect a book with this cute-sy of a theme to be fluff, but this is not. It's a deep book. This is not easy reading, it will challenge you in many ways. After all, are you living for your role or are you living for all that God has destined you to be?
I highly recommend this book, and I am looking forward to reading more from this author! Also be sure and chck out her website as there is a free ebook guide on sharing your story with others!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. The opinions are my own.
The author, Lisa Whittle, writes from experience. She grew up in the role of a pastor's daughter. She found comfort in this role and knew how to work it so she would be admired. That is, until someone saw through her facade at church camp and called her on it. She was upset, but realized that man was right, she wasn't what she appeared to be. Later, her father lost his church because he transported a deer head across state lines without a $2 licence. Sounds harmless enough but the fish and game commission and later the IRS investigated him, and he could have landed in prison. No church wants a pastor who may be facing a prison sentence, so he resigned, and the role of pastor's daughter -- the role that defined her -- was left gaping. And the people at church she had grown to love? The people who swarmed around her popular father? They were no where to be seen. Her role became a hole. What now? She still adored her father, but life was so changed. Later when she was in seminary, a speaker at chapel didn't know she was a student and used the story of her father as a sermon illustration, and didn't even have all facts correct.
Everyone has pain. Everyone has issues. No two lives are identical, but Lisa Whittle tells her story while weaving together a plan on how we can rid ourselves of our pain by allowing God to make our holes into wholes.
I would expect a book with this cute-sy of a theme to be fluff, but this is not. It's a deep book. This is not easy reading, it will challenge you in many ways. After all, are you living for your role or are you living for all that God has destined you to be?
I highly recommend this book, and I am looking forward to reading more from this author! Also be sure and chck out her website as there is a free ebook guide on sharing your story with others!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. The opinions are my own.
February 15, 2012
{W}hole by Lisa Whittle is about how our life experiences, whether good or bad, can leave holes in us. These holes effect how we see ourselves, others and God. Lisa Whittle shares her personal testimony (and holes) throughout this honest and revelatory book. She states, that our experiences and/or roles don't define us. But it's about allowing Jesus Christ to fill our holes, by making us "whole" and thereby re-writing our story.
This book is jam packed full of incredible insights which made me take my sweet time reading it. I would read a page and then stop to reflect on it. I would find myself underlining passages and then thinking about it the rest of the day. This is one of those special books that can change your life.
I really appreciate Lisa Whittle's transparency in revealing some very painful and personal experiences in her life. I was able to identify with a lot of what she wrote, especially the feelings accompanying those experiences. It actually stirred me and made me reflect upon my own holes. The holes that I would rather ignore, bury or run from. The holes that came from very pivotal or painful moments in my life, which in turn, changed the course of my life.
As a result, this book wasn't easy for me to read. However, it was necessary as it was timely.
I want to share some passages from this book that spoke to me:
* Often, the things we find most demanding and difficult are the very places we most need to have healed.
* God seeks our dependence upon Him to make us whole.
* Wholeness rises from the ashes of our experiences when we cling to the God who makes it all possible.
I believe this is a very important and helpful book and I highly recommend it to everyone.
In conclusion, I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Tyndale House.
This book is jam packed full of incredible insights which made me take my sweet time reading it. I would read a page and then stop to reflect on it. I would find myself underlining passages and then thinking about it the rest of the day. This is one of those special books that can change your life.
I really appreciate Lisa Whittle's transparency in revealing some very painful and personal experiences in her life. I was able to identify with a lot of what she wrote, especially the feelings accompanying those experiences. It actually stirred me and made me reflect upon my own holes. The holes that I would rather ignore, bury or run from. The holes that came from very pivotal or painful moments in my life, which in turn, changed the course of my life.
As a result, this book wasn't easy for me to read. However, it was necessary as it was timely.
I want to share some passages from this book that spoke to me:
* Often, the things we find most demanding and difficult are the very places we most need to have healed.
* God seeks our dependence upon Him to make us whole.
* Wholeness rises from the ashes of our experiences when we cling to the God who makes it all possible.
I believe this is a very important and helpful book and I highly recommend it to everyone.
In conclusion, I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Tyndale House.
September 3, 2012
The holes in your life can ultimately be what make you WHOLE. Very thought provoking. Lisa Whittle shares her heart and life to illustrate the truth that although we will have challenges, things that shake our beliefs and life in general, that God still wants us to be whole. Our experiences can be just that - experiences. Not the sole definer of all that He has made us to be and the end of our story.
She is very transparent in her story (it seems she holds nothing back!) and I admire her for that. From her notes at the end, I thought it was interesting that she felt she was supposed to "come at the book from my failures, not my successes". It's an interesting perspective and a powerful one, I believe.
I was really excited to read this book, as I have so much in common with Lisa Whittle. She is a pastor's daughter, she's been married the same amount of time as I have, they planted a church (we are planting now with our 1st anniversary in a few weeks), and we have both experienced holes - as well as some wholeness through a deeper relationship with God.
My favorite part is towards the end of the book; due to a number of circumstances she is feeling pretty raw, and God says to her, "Lisa, I love you. I know you are hurting right now, and I know why. But in these months of doing Thrive Church, have you gotten to know Me better?"
She answers yes. He says, "If then you have gotten to know Me better and you were created for that purpose, how can you consider your experience with Thrive Church a failure? It is instead a wild success."
I was so moved by this because I've been there (challenging circumstances, feeling like a failure, when will things ever "get better", and although I wouldn't want to live those specific circumstances again, necessarily...I am grateful for the result of knowing Him better. Priceless. A wild success. :)
She is very transparent in her story (it seems she holds nothing back!) and I admire her for that. From her notes at the end, I thought it was interesting that she felt she was supposed to "come at the book from my failures, not my successes". It's an interesting perspective and a powerful one, I believe.
I was really excited to read this book, as I have so much in common with Lisa Whittle. She is a pastor's daughter, she's been married the same amount of time as I have, they planted a church (we are planting now with our 1st anniversary in a few weeks), and we have both experienced holes - as well as some wholeness through a deeper relationship with God.
My favorite part is towards the end of the book; due to a number of circumstances she is feeling pretty raw, and God says to her, "Lisa, I love you. I know you are hurting right now, and I know why. But in these months of doing Thrive Church, have you gotten to know Me better?"
She answers yes. He says, "If then you have gotten to know Me better and you were created for that purpose, how can you consider your experience with Thrive Church a failure? It is instead a wild success."
I was so moved by this because I've been there (challenging circumstances, feeling like a failure, when will things ever "get better", and although I wouldn't want to live those specific circumstances again, necessarily...I am grateful for the result of knowing Him better. Priceless. A wild success. :)
January 19, 2012
Have that feeling that something is missing? Feel like something is holding you from from life? relationships? a job? school? anything? Lisa Whittle has brought it all out into the open. Our lives are filled with holes, and often times we let those holes hold us back, we let them control who we are and the decisions we are making. Now what if those holes in our life are the things that will in the end make us whole?
Through Whole, Whittle shares her experiences of finding the holes in life and turning them around to be filled with God’s presence when he makes us whole. Whole takes an honest look at who we are and takes us on a journey to a full relationship with God where we can take those holes in our life and become whole in Christ.
This book will keep you encourage and uplift you to finding those holes in your life and filling them with God’s love, Whittle has compiled through her own experiences and others an honest look into how we allow things in our lives to grow and control who we are, she hows us how we are not called to be controlled by those things and that only God can fill the voids in our life. This book will have you re-examining your relationship with Christ and finding out how you can fill those empty parts of your life with Christ and all He has planned for you.
I highly recommend this book, be preparted to take a look at your life and re-evaluate everything, get ready to continue on a journey to becoming closer to our Savior through His amazing healing and grace. Get ready to become whole.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are all my own.
November 30, 2011
I enjoyed this book. Each chapter was small, stuck to the topic with a short relative anecdote and then followed by two very thoughtful questions that makes one think about how the chapter would actually apply to their own life. The writing was clear, concise, and thoughtful. We all have holes in our lives whether they are the result of human interaction or our own flights of fantasy. When we come across one of those holes Jesus is there to help us delve into them, get to the bottom of them, heal them, and then make us whole. The author points out that without experiencing the hole and digging deep to the bottom instead of glossing over it, Jesus can't make us whole and we can't go on with our lives. We are stuck in the hole until it is healed. Lisa looks at what the holes look like when they are the result of being religious instead of spiritual; becoming defined by a role such as a career, mother, care-giver rather than the person who just happens to use that role to work; defining oneself by an experience rather than a person who had an experience dealt with it and moved on. These and many more holes can hold a person back and prevent a more in depth walk with God.
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers which has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. My review is my own opinion.
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers which has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. My review is my own opinion.
August 23, 2012
Everyone has holes in their life, created by the roles we fill, the circumstances and experiences of life. Lisa Whittle shares her experience with life events that were less than fulfilling and created emptiness. And she shares ways, through a relationship with Christ, those holes can be made whole.
The book was a little slow to start, and I was confused by its message in the opening chapters. Whittle kept alluding to something that happened to her to create holes in her life, but it seemed like it was several chapters later that we actually find out what it was.
About three-quarters through the book, though, her message clicked with me, and I embraced her message: that completeness, wholeness, a filling of the empty spots can't be found in another person, or a role, or an experience; only in Jesus.
I'm calling this a must re-read for me so that I can soak in the truth in her message.
The book was a little slow to start, and I was confused by its message in the opening chapters. Whittle kept alluding to something that happened to her to create holes in her life, but it seemed like it was several chapters later that we actually find out what it was.
About three-quarters through the book, though, her message clicked with me, and I embraced her message: that completeness, wholeness, a filling of the empty spots can't be found in another person, or a role, or an experience; only in Jesus.
I'm calling this a must re-read for me so that I can soak in the truth in her message.
April 3, 2016
Big drive but lack the force to accomplish them? That's one of my great weaknesses and author Lisa Whittle gives great advice as to why we let our holes (defect in our character) defeat us. Her new must read {W}hole examines the reason we give in to not going after what we truly want and can accomplish. She shares her own life experience and her spiritual knowledge that helped her overcome her worst enemy (herself). Like many of us who may feel we are unworthy or unable, she stresses that we allow God to complete us. This book will encourage you to become the ultimate you. Find your reason for being and your passion and with God's help accomplish all that you were meant to do. As a member of Tyndale Media Bloggers I was given the great opportunity of reviewing this book in exchange for my honest review. I recommend to all those seeking direction and inspiration! A great tool to fall back on once you have read.
March 31, 2012
Why haven't more people read this book? It is a keeper! Powerful and needed. It made quite an impact on me.
Sometimes there are books that you read that make an impact from the start. From the moment you read the introduction (yes, you should read the intro), to the final turn of the last page, you are captivated. {W}hole by Lisa Whittle is one such book that you will not be able to put down. It is a challenging, thought-provoking book that will have you asking yourself the question, "Am I whole?" I cannot say enough good things about this book. Whether you are a seasoned saint or a new-ling, this book will cause you to take a closer look at who you are in the faith.
Sometimes there are books that you read that make an impact from the start. From the moment you read the introduction (yes, you should read the intro), to the final turn of the last page, you are captivated. {W}hole by Lisa Whittle is one such book that you will not be able to put down. It is a challenging, thought-provoking book that will have you asking yourself the question, "Am I whole?" I cannot say enough good things about this book. Whether you are a seasoned saint or a new-ling, this book will cause you to take a closer look at who you are in the faith.
August 21, 2015
If you can get past the jargon (lots of holes, wholes, and Christianese), you'll probably get something out of this book. The first section on religion didn't resonate with me but the roles hit home big time!
Whittle has some lovely and keen insights to share, though they're intermixed with a heavy emphasis on the self in your relationship with Christ. Overall I wouldn't go to this book for theology or a crisp point (I was skimming for a while, tbh). But I think you will find something that resonates with your experience and takes you to the Throne to do some work with your heart. And that's worthwhile to me.
Whittle has some lovely and keen insights to share, though they're intermixed with a heavy emphasis on the self in your relationship with Christ. Overall I wouldn't go to this book for theology or a crisp point (I was skimming for a while, tbh). But I think you will find something that resonates with your experience and takes you to the Throne to do some work with your heart. And that's worthwhile to me.
January 30, 2013
Life-Changing Read... Highly recommend...
February 4, 2015
Lisa has a beautiful way of weaving her story into ours as we all seek to find our wholeness in Christ.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews