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The Pressure's Off: There's a New Way to Live
There are two basic approaches to life–two pathways. One creates pressure, the other provides freedom.
In the Old Way of life, as best-selling author, psychologist, and spiritual director Larry Crabb describes it, “you have decided that what you most want out of life is within your reach, and you are doing whatever you believe it takes to get it.” But in the New Way of life, “you have realized that what you most want is beyond your reach, and you are trusting God for the satisfaction you seek. You want Him. Nothing less, not even His blessings, will do.”
The Old Way–the way most Christians define life and pursue fulfillment–is fundamentally wrong and harmful. It leaves us tired, in bondage, and feeling distant from God. But the New Way brings true freedom and refreshment as we tap into the power to draw closer to God in a personal way.
“We can’t always make life work. But we can always draw near to God. There is a different way to approach our problems. There is a NEW WAY to live.” —Larry Crabb
In the Old Way of life, as best-selling author, psychologist, and spiritual director Larry Crabb describes it, “you have decided that what you most want out of life is within your reach, and you are doing whatever you believe it takes to get it.” But in the New Way of life, “you have realized that what you most want is beyond your reach, and you are trusting God for the satisfaction you seek. You want Him. Nothing less, not even His blessings, will do.”
The Old Way–the way most Christians define life and pursue fulfillment–is fundamentally wrong and harmful. It leaves us tired, in bondage, and feeling distant from God. But the New Way brings true freedom and refreshment as we tap into the power to draw closer to God in a personal way.
“We can’t always make life work. But we can always draw near to God. There is a different way to approach our problems. There is a NEW WAY to live.” —Larry Crabb
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2002
131 people are currently reading
657 people want to read
About the author
Larry Crabb
112 books238 followersLawrence J. Crabb Jr.
Larry Crabb is a well-known Christian psychologist, conference and seminar speaker, Bible teacher, and author of more than 25 books—including his most recent, When God’s Ways Make No Sense and two Gold Medallion award-winners Inside Out and Understanding People. He is also the founder/director of NewWay Ministries & most recently his "legacy ministry", LargerStory.com. In addition to various other speaking and teaching opportunities, Crabb offers a week-long School of Spiritual Direction held each year here at The Cove and the Glen Eyrie in CO. He currently is scholar-in-residence at Colorado Christian University. Larry and his wife of 50 years, Rachael, reside near Charlotte, N.C.
Larry Crabb is a well-known Christian psychologist, conference and seminar speaker, Bible teacher, and author of more than 25 books—including his most recent, When God’s Ways Make No Sense and two Gold Medallion award-winners Inside Out and Understanding People. He is also the founder/director of NewWay Ministries & most recently his "legacy ministry", LargerStory.com. In addition to various other speaking and teaching opportunities, Crabb offers a week-long School of Spiritual Direction held each year here at The Cove and the Glen Eyrie in CO. He currently is scholar-in-residence at Colorado Christian University. Larry and his wife of 50 years, Rachael, reside near Charlotte, N.C.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 26, 2008
I read this in the depths of depression and it was a lifesaver tossed out to me. Please read if you are worn out, exhuasted, miserable and angry with God. We weren't meant to live the abundant life with any sense of self-control. Control is illusion and grace is our lifeline.
May 11, 2012
A co-worker lent me this one, and because I wanted to know more about what she found challenging, I read it. I would have quit after the first chapter had it not been for that fact. Crabb's idea isn't new, and he spends over 120 pages harping on a single (and easy to grasp, in my opinion) idea. Then, just when I thought he might have some true insight, he pops out yet another formula on how to get close to God. How very disappointing!
I can see how this book might resonate with the "Martha" types out there--those who are constantly doing, constantly striving, who are in the kitchen washing dishes while Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet. My co-worker (very much a Martha, and Type A to the hilt) fits this, so I'm not surprised that it challenged her. For me, very much a Mary, I knew a long time ago that being a child of God did not mean that God was a vending machine I could push buttons on, nor is there anything I could ever DO to gain blessings. Because of who I am, and because of the journey I've been on, this book had very little to say.
If you are a Type A Martha, go ahead and read it--it might help you break out of your deeds-focused mind-set. Otherwise, I'd skip this one.
I can see how this book might resonate with the "Martha" types out there--those who are constantly doing, constantly striving, who are in the kitchen washing dishes while Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet. My co-worker (very much a Martha, and Type A to the hilt) fits this, so I'm not surprised that it challenged her. For me, very much a Mary, I knew a long time ago that being a child of God did not mean that God was a vending machine I could push buttons on, nor is there anything I could ever DO to gain blessings. Because of who I am, and because of the journey I've been on, this book had very little to say.
If you are a Type A Martha, go ahead and read it--it might help you break out of your deeds-focused mind-set. Otherwise, I'd skip this one.
June 9, 2015
Too much psychologizing or mystifying of the great and mysterious yet rational and explainable relationship between man and God. Its not a NEW way, its God's old way.
On p. 42, Crabb says we need "one-on-one or small-group conversations where our lives are laid open in the presence of a person gifted to discern the workings of our inner life". Hunh? We need less talking to human beings and more talking to the one High Priest, Jesus Christ Himself. We need no human confessor. I totally disagree with that statement.
Finally, in chapter 6 he gets into Scripture, and it becomes clear, as I had suspected, that what he is calling the Old Way vs. the New Way is really living under grace instead of the Law. Nothing new about that. Not that its easy, mind you, and he makes good points in this chapter, but why act like its some new mysterious thing?
His language and writing style really make me distrust this book, even though I did end up agreeing with him except where noted above. He is correct that most Christians prefer the blessings of God rather than the presence of God, and that our real prayer should be to know Him better, not get better blessings. This is a crucial and non-trivial distinction, so Crabb's words need to be said.
Just wish he didn't sell it in such an off-putting way.
On p. 42, Crabb says we need "one-on-one or small-group conversations where our lives are laid open in the presence of a person gifted to discern the workings of our inner life". Hunh? We need less talking to human beings and more talking to the one High Priest, Jesus Christ Himself. We need no human confessor. I totally disagree with that statement.
Finally, in chapter 6 he gets into Scripture, and it becomes clear, as I had suspected, that what he is calling the Old Way vs. the New Way is really living under grace instead of the Law. Nothing new about that. Not that its easy, mind you, and he makes good points in this chapter, but why act like its some new mysterious thing?
His language and writing style really make me distrust this book, even though I did end up agreeing with him except where noted above. He is correct that most Christians prefer the blessings of God rather than the presence of God, and that our real prayer should be to know Him better, not get better blessings. This is a crucial and non-trivial distinction, so Crabb's words need to be said.
Just wish he didn't sell it in such an off-putting way.
December 8, 2015
FANTASTIC book. A therapist friend recommended it to me, her husband was reading it and told her that he wished they had read it 20 years earlier. If you're still trying to "make life work", desperately clinging to "if I do this, this should happen," read this book! I'm a perfectionist, I'm a doer, a goal-achiever. This book helped me get off the hamster wheel and embrace God's offer of himself in the new covenant, not a life that "works." Even if I'm aware, I still live there often. This book was like a light at the end of a tunnel for me to start to let go of focusing on controlling outcomes in my life, the lives of my kids, my church, etc. And instead focus on journeying deeper with God and laying my life (and all the other things I try to control) at his feet.
August 9, 2025
I talked about this book a lot as I was reading it. The compulsion to control my life and desiring earthly blessings resonated deeply. I would summarize the problem presented in the book with Larry’s words, “You seek the Better Life of God‘s blessings over the Better Hope of God’s presence.”
Do I truly value God’s presence with me more than any other blessings that I could hope for? I want to go to God because I long for Him, not His gifts. Only He will ever truly satisfy.
Do I truly value God’s presence with me more than any other blessings that I could hope for? I want to go to God because I long for Him, not His gifts. Only He will ever truly satisfy.
November 20, 2012
The Good
This is a book you CAN judge by it’s cover. What is more freeing than being a boy jumping in a lake in the middle of summer? The Pressure’s Off.
How can a book endorsed by J.I. Packer, Brennan Manning and Cal Thomas, be anything but good? You can read other reviews about the content. I’ll just say…
The content is great, the book well-written.
The eight-week workbook in the back makes this a terrific counseling/discipleship tool.
If you struggle with being “good enough,” this book will bring all the freedom of an old-fashioned summer swim.
If you are willing to experience a wild God of freedom and unpredictability, read on!
The Bad
If you don’t want to be convicted, don’t buy it.
If you want to keep your god in a box, don’t read it.
The Ugly
It felt as if the “Old Way” of keeping the rules to satisfy God was easier to understand than the “New Way” of living by abiding in Christ. Maybe I needed some more nuts-and-bolts kind of examples.
My favorite quote: "Only the mature value the blessings of presence over the blessing of presents."
I recommend this book without reservation, and that’s not because WaterBrook Multnomah sent me a free copy of this book for the purpose of review as part of their Blogging for Books program. The $12 value isn’t enough for me to sell my integrity. Now, if they had thrown in an incentive or two…
Danielcooley.com
This is a book you CAN judge by it’s cover. What is more freeing than being a boy jumping in a lake in the middle of summer? The Pressure’s Off.
How can a book endorsed by J.I. Packer, Brennan Manning and Cal Thomas, be anything but good? You can read other reviews about the content. I’ll just say…
The content is great, the book well-written.
The eight-week workbook in the back makes this a terrific counseling/discipleship tool.
If you struggle with being “good enough,” this book will bring all the freedom of an old-fashioned summer swim.
If you are willing to experience a wild God of freedom and unpredictability, read on!
The Bad
If you don’t want to be convicted, don’t buy it.
If you want to keep your god in a box, don’t read it.
The Ugly
It felt as if the “Old Way” of keeping the rules to satisfy God was easier to understand than the “New Way” of living by abiding in Christ. Maybe I needed some more nuts-and-bolts kind of examples.
My favorite quote: "Only the mature value the blessings of presence over the blessing of presents."
I recommend this book without reservation, and that’s not because WaterBrook Multnomah sent me a free copy of this book for the purpose of review as part of their Blogging for Books program. The $12 value isn’t enough for me to sell my integrity. Now, if they had thrown in an incentive or two…
Danielcooley.com
August 17, 2014
I found myself thinking there was nothing really new in this book. But when I thought about it, I realized that is exactly right. It is not new; it is the gospel retold for today, especially for those of us who struggle with legalism and forget that the gospel really is good news. Larry Crabb directly attacks the "prosperity gospel" and points us back to the true gospel, which is that we can know God. His presentation of the gospel reveals the particular ways we in American society get sidelined by seeking a "better life" rather than God.
December 18, 2021
Crabb's books are always great - but for the ideas to sink deep, are best done in group setting/study where it can be digested slowly and with conversation.
November 18, 2024
Excellent book and workbook. This is the true gospel that gets lost in our daily life. So glad my friend recommended this one to me.
January 28, 2020
An outstanding work meant to challenge how to see God and the gospel. We so often live life solely for blessings and using God like a magic genie when in reality we were made to have intimacy and communion for God. Crabb writes of the New Way of living that forsakes simply expecting blessings, an easy life, no pain, etc. and expecting God to give them to us, take pain away, make our lives easier, etc. God can certainly do all those things. We miss the point when we only seek those things and do not seek true communion with God. This is really a paradigm shift for the popular Christian culture. And I think helps shed some light on the problem of pain/suffering that most often plagues Christians and non-believers alike.
April 3, 2014
The main point of this book is to challenge Christians to exchange "the better life of blessings" for Knowing Christ deeply and to eradicate the idea that in our walks with Christ, A+B=C (i.e. we are not promised that raising children according to God's principles will always produce children who grow up to love and serve him, but we ARE promised that in all things God is inviting us to know in him more intimately even if our children are wayward, our marriage is struggling, or our ministry failing). Great kids, a loving marriage, and a successful ministry are all wonderful things but Dr. Crabb would label these as "second things" in light of the "first thing" of knowing Christ. Many times when people struggle the first thing that comes to mind is, "what have I done?", have I not prayed hard enough or been obedient?" This type of thinking takes us back to linear life of A+B+C, making us the active agent and God the passive agent. Ultimately we have it backwards. As with most Christian books, there were a few things that I didn't completely agree with, and I did feel that the book was rather redundant. Overall I agree with Dr. Crabb's main idea and think this is a timely message for the American church today.
April 3, 2018
I found in peace. Between the cover of this pages, I learned to let go of wanting to always 'be in-charge' of things. What could be more freeing than the relief of pressure from wanting to always get things right and done? What could be more fulfilling than doing things without a polluted motive? Doing without always looking for the win. The joy of simply being. You will have to read it to relate to it.
January 2, 2013
I felt like the author stated two points in a million different ways. Sort of like my college essays, wordy and lacking content.
August 2, 2020
My second Larry Crabb book, I believe. My wife & I read this together aloud, usually in the evenings after dinner. This was a very insightful book on living The New Way, as opposed to The Old Way. The New Way focused on deepening our relationship with God, and not focusing on doing X,Y,Z to get blessings 1,2,3. It's grace-focused, not law-focused. We learn to expect God's sovereignty to guide our life and to see His will done in our lives, not ours. The Old Way focused on trying to do the "right" things in order to "get" God's blessings and to see our wills done. With living life in The New Way, the pressure's off! Excellent points in one of the last chapters on the work of the Holy Spirit in living The New Way.
July 2, 2021
I started this book a decade ago but it is only now that in His timing I needed it most. Letting go of the Old Way - the Law of Linearity is quite difficult. Living into the New Way - the New Hope is even more so, yet ripe with fresh and unburdened life abundant in Him.
Are you weary? Having trouble getting anything right? Struggling to make life work? Finding little joy in what blessings you have?
Let go, draw near, look up. The pressure’s off! 🙌🏼
Are you weary? Having trouble getting anything right? Struggling to make life work? Finding little joy in what blessings you have?
Let go, draw near, look up. The pressure’s off! 🙌🏼
September 19, 2023
Helpful and Thorough
This book is great. Larry Crabb presents a different “way” of approaching life and God, one that is rooted in relationship with him as opposed to seeing Him as a means to living out of our fleshly desires. This was a helpful read as it highlighted (very practical) some ways to move away from this “old way” and into a life of freedom empowered by the Holy Spirit.
This book is great. Larry Crabb presents a different “way” of approaching life and God, one that is rooted in relationship with him as opposed to seeing Him as a means to living out of our fleshly desires. This was a helpful read as it highlighted (very practical) some ways to move away from this “old way” and into a life of freedom empowered by the Holy Spirit.
April 25, 2024
This is the first book I've read in which I'm seriously considering buying 6 copies and giving 5 of them away to friends and family.
This book deeply, deeply spoke to me. This book may be the most impactful book I've ever read (other than the Bible). This book was so challenging, life-giving, filling, and eye-opening.
If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, read this book. If you're anything like me, this book will change your life. I will definitely read this.
This book deeply, deeply spoke to me. This book may be the most impactful book I've ever read (other than the Bible). This book was so challenging, life-giving, filling, and eye-opening.
If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, read this book. If you're anything like me, this book will change your life. I will definitely read this.
January 11, 2023
I really liked this book and I read it at a time in my life when I needed to understand the real freedom of following Jesus. I was so excited at what I was reading in one part that I decided to smoke a cigar on my back porch at 3 in the morning. It was glorious! Larry is one of my faves when it comes to reading about spirituality and walking with God.
March 29, 2019
As we draw near to Christ, He will draw nearer to us through His Spirit. Not in a man-focused, legalistic way. But as we move toward Him, our minds are more readily able to understand what He wants to teach us.
I enjoyed this book. Perhaps you will enjoy it as well.
I enjoyed this book. Perhaps you will enjoy it as well.
June 24, 2019
This was a very interesting book. That made really have to sit down and think about what the author was saying. And to be honest in some cases I still haven't decided. Regardless however the book is certainly worth reading and definitely one I would recommend.
March 7, 2025
Totally life-changing and mind-altering book. Highly recommend if you struggle with putting a lot of pressure on yourself, anxiety, or excessive guilt. Beautifully written, excellent literature, while still being vulnerable and personable.
February 19, 2019
Life Changing
February 11, 2020
Very repetitive, but some good core takeaways.
March 4, 2020
Life-changing truth in this book.
March 22, 2020
Unbelievable and life changing. A perspective we can’t live in joy without.
November 27, 2022
Very thought provoking! Are we living to grow closer to God or are we living for the blessings we expect Him to give us? A New Way of thinking of our relationship with our Creator.
June 23, 2023
A book I will read over and over. SO helpful!!
May 17, 2024
This book was life changing for me. Focus on just enjoying and enjoying my relationship with God. Less on trying to earn favor or answered prayers.
November 23, 2024
Great thoughts, but felt like 2/3 of the book was saying the same thing over and over.
August 2, 2025
It’s really eye-opening. But I thought it was kind of repetitive
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews