Captivating: A Guided Journal: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul

by John Eldredge, Stasi Eldredge

Every little girl has dreams of being rescued by the hero, of being swept away into a great adventure, of being the beautiful princess. Sadly, when women grow up, they are taught to be tough, efficient, and independent. Many Christian women are tired, struggling under the weight of the pressure to be a "good servant," a nurturing caregiver, passionate lover, or capable home manager.


What the Wild at Heart Field Manual did for men, the Captivating: A Guided Journal can do for women. By revealing the three distinctly female desires every woman shares, John and Stasi Eldredge invite participants to recover their feminine hearts, which may have suffered many wounds but were originally defined in the image of a passionate God.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Spirituality, Relationships, Self Help, Religion

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2005

About the author

John Eldredge is an American author, counselor, and lecturer on Christianity. He is known for his best-selling book Wild at Heart.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, I read this book because it was a gift and, let's face it, what woman doesn't want to be "captivating?" However, after the second chapter I realized where the author was going and it made me sick. In what seems like a typical psychological mantra, barely veiled in Christianity, she speaks to the "suppressed female," who it seems, does not appreciate her inner beauty the way the Christ does and walks around with the undue burden of the Proverbs 31 woman. The solution? Love yourself more...accept yourself for you who are. Last time I checked, Christ did not call me to "love myself more," but to love to love my neighbor as myself, which assumes that self-love is not a problem. My sense is that this book is poison wrapped in nice paper. It may seem harsh, but my struggle is AGAINST this self-love and pride, not for it.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and devoured it in a matter of days. I couldn`t put it down. However, because I read quickly, I felt like I didn`t give myself ample time to digest all of its points. I want to read this book again and let it sink in.
This book is easy to read and has many examples and points which speaks out to many women`s experiences. It explores the issues and struggles that women face when they are trying to start and build a relationship with God. It uses many personal examples from a male and female perspective. Some of the examples won`t strike a cord with everyone. There were moments while I was reading where I though, this isn`t me. However, there were moments I could identify myself in the experiences.
There are many ample Biblical verses used and explanations that tie into how a woman is captivating in the Lord`s haert and how a woman should live to captivate a lover`s heart. It is not a how-to guide for attracting men, but it does shed some light on the different faces of women and how that can illuminate a relationship with God and a relationship with a future love.

[Amelia Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The purpose of this book is to realize that as a woman you are captivating- truly breath-taking. Every woman asks herself, "Am I lovely?" And the answer is, "Yes! No doubt about it!" Although not every woman is outwardly beautiful (according to today's standard of the word) inside her there is a woman who is truly lovely. God sees the heart even when no one else seems to notice it. And His opinion matters most.

[Mallorie Pollok · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend anyone who reads Captivating to also get the guided journal. There was additional thoughts as well as exploratory and reflective questions for each chapter, that really maximized my ability to process the book and undo false beliefs. I think it’s necessary to get the full experience!

[Madelynn Freeman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has been more enraging than helpful. Criticism on proverbs 31 when they should be using the Bible to back up their message if they really are Christians. Without a firm foundation on Gods word we have nothing. That’s what this book does is it tends to take the safety that god gives us in his truth and dismantle it to let us given into the desires of our hearts.

God said the Heart is deceitfully wicked above all things who can know it? (Jer 17:9) if anything you should read the Bible on what God not only desires for a woman to be, you should also pray and ask Gods will for your life instead of looking for it where it isn’t. This book is one of those places.

[Lauren Veness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started this in a bible study and it was soo so good! It helped me understand how women are wired in God’s eyes and how we should live out His desire for our life. A must read for men or women!

[Samantha Sautter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Andreea Szasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard but good. Did this with a Bible study group but the newer version ( blue cover)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful in the minds of women. Of course like Wild at Heart, it relates in a way that most books on the topic cannot. A must read for Christian women no matter how cheesy you might feel doing so. I was a wreck for two days after reading this book.

[brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

it takes a while to get into but is a good book to explore yourself

[Arri McConville · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is truly inlightning into the life of a woman for me. i have only read half way through it but it has already changed the way I see, treat and interact with women.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman should read this book! It will make you laugh and cry as you learn about yourself and your Creator. You will learn just what a precious and beautiful creation we are!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I typically dislike women's books, but I found this one refreshing. I resonated with the ideas and know many woman who have as well.

[Moriah Leech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. Really helped me think through things, evaluate, and help me learn to trust God and depend on him for my self confidence. Great resource for any woman!

[Tenley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely use this journal along with the book -- VERY helpful.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

John and Stasi Eldredge -- anything they say is great -- Satan has a great emnity for women