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Moving Forward: Overcoming the Habits, Hangups, and Mishaps That Hold You Back
Let Go of What Holds You Back and Fulfill Your Purpose
Far too many people are not living up to their full potential, limited by bad habits and past hang-ups from which they just can't seem to break free to. Unforgiveness, addictive behavior, unhealthy financial patterns--limitations come in all shapes and sizes. Breaking free from any of them starts the same by walking in the truth.
Pastor and author John Siebeling helps readers connect the dots between what they read in God's Word and their everyday lives. Jesus died on the cross to set us free and enable us to experience life to the full; anything less than that is not God's best. If we are followers of Christ, freedom is not just a benefit to embrace if we choose; it's a responsibility we are called to. Each chapter highlights a specific hang-up or habit that holds people back, explains what God says about it, and points to a way forward in freedom. Practical advice and suggestions for next steps help readers see how to implement changes that give them the traction they need to move forward.
Far too many people are not living up to their full potential, limited by bad habits and past hang-ups from which they just can't seem to break free to. Unforgiveness, addictive behavior, unhealthy financial patterns--limitations come in all shapes and sizes. Breaking free from any of them starts the same by walking in the truth.
Pastor and author John Siebeling helps readers connect the dots between what they read in God's Word and their everyday lives. Jesus died on the cross to set us free and enable us to experience life to the full; anything less than that is not God's best. If we are followers of Christ, freedom is not just a benefit to embrace if we choose; it's a responsibility we are called to. Each chapter highlights a specific hang-up or habit that holds people back, explains what God says about it, and points to a way forward in freedom. Practical advice and suggestions for next steps help readers see how to implement changes that give them the traction they need to move forward.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Paperback
Published December 6, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 4, 2017
No wonder "Moving Forward" by John Siebeling is so easy to understand. He is a pastor. The words in his book are able to make overcoming easier. He gives us a reason for getting up each day. John Siebeling points out the fact that anger, unforgiveness, worry and other unwise choices can lead us away from the best that God wants for us. God in no way wants us to fail.
The book's stories really helped me. One story is about physical pain. An airline stewardess carried or pulled her baggage in the wrong way for years. Then, years later she suffered with terrible shoulder pain. Her condition led to worry. A quotation is given by Max Lucado: "Anxiety is an expensive habit." Then, there is the very inspiring story about Jim Elliot, the Missionary and his wife, Elisabeth Elliot working in Ecuador. They worked in the jungles with a very dangerous tribe of Indians named Quichua. Their whole life story is a help in remembering it is possible to love while in hard places.
In the end, it is God's plan for us to improve, become better. Growth, living God's way, makes life easier. Obviously, John Siebeling cares about his congregation and his readers. At the end of each chapter, there are questions to answer. The whole book will help a person to walk through the unexpected minefields of life each day. Beyond all doubt, God will never forsake us. He loves us always.
The book's stories really helped me. One story is about physical pain. An airline stewardess carried or pulled her baggage in the wrong way for years. Then, years later she suffered with terrible shoulder pain. Her condition led to worry. A quotation is given by Max Lucado: "Anxiety is an expensive habit." Then, there is the very inspiring story about Jim Elliot, the Missionary and his wife, Elisabeth Elliot working in Ecuador. They worked in the jungles with a very dangerous tribe of Indians named Quichua. Their whole life story is a help in remembering it is possible to love while in hard places.
In the end, it is God's plan for us to improve, become better. Growth, living God's way, makes life easier. Obviously, John Siebeling cares about his congregation and his readers. At the end of each chapter, there are questions to answer. The whole book will help a person to walk through the unexpected minefields of life each day. Beyond all doubt, God will never forsake us. He loves us always.
October 25, 2018
I got this book from goodreads first reads and didn't realize how Christian-oriented it was until I started reading. Glad the general description was updated to save a reader like me from blundering into it but I tried to evaluate with an open heart and an open mind. It was well argued and well written and goes over the same core stuff most self help books do but coming from a religious angle. I really appreciated how much agency the author advocated out of the reader - a lot of Christian stuff can be sit-on-your-hands worthy but this was really about using your actions to meet your faith halfway and that was nice.
January 10, 2026
I read this book at a very low point in my life, and it was a gem that encouraged me not to give up and offered strategies for moving forward.
My three takeaways:
1. Learn to make good decisions, especially the big ones. Your decisions determine your direction, and your direction determines your destination.
2. Live today with tomorrow in mind. This was more of a reminder about finances, where the consequences of today usually show up tomorrow. Our actions today are seeds we are sowing for what we will reap tomorrow.
3. Take action. As the author put it, “Our problem is not ignorance; it is inaction.” Ultimately, I need to take action to produce results; that’s the only way.
My three takeaways:
1. Learn to make good decisions, especially the big ones. Your decisions determine your direction, and your direction determines your destination.
2. Live today with tomorrow in mind. This was more of a reminder about finances, where the consequences of today usually show up tomorrow. Our actions today are seeds we are sowing for what we will reap tomorrow.
3. Take action. As the author put it, “Our problem is not ignorance; it is inaction.” Ultimately, I need to take action to produce results; that’s the only way.
December 22, 2020
I loved this book. It helped me look at the bigger picture in life and improve my relationship with God. Great read and I recommend this highly!
January 15, 2017
Siebeling looks at various issues that hold us back in our spiritual walk, such as emotions, worry, habits, anger, and more. He gives encouragement to overcome the issues, giving information from a variety of books, studies, and the Bible. I found the book contained great encouragement but frequently lacked practical strategy.
He writes, “We have to make the decision to change and then discipline ourselves to make choices that will produce the new habits we want in our life (willpower).” (79) And, “Breaking free from life-controlling issues isn't easy.” (97) One of his “simple 'starter steps'” is “Quit the habit.” (98) He makes encouraging statements like, “You need to make the choice to be done with that way of living.” (98) Sometimes I felt Siebeling told me what I should be doing without providing the tools I needed to do it. At other times he did have some good suggestions, such as the questions he provides to help in making good decisions. Sometimes he gives the idea and leaves the work to the readers. For example, “For every worry, find a promise in God's Word to address your situation.” (67)
“God's grace gives us the power to walk away from anything holding us back,” Siebeling declares. (102) Nonetheless, he also writes, “Some emotional hangups require self-discipline and practical lifestyle adjustments; others may require addressing more serious underlying issues or getting professional help.” (51) He also suggests professional help may be necessary when dealing with “life-controlling issues.” (97) It seems that, while God's grace gives us the power, we may need professional help as well. I would have preferred knowing practical ways of seeing God's power at work within me.
This book contains lots of instruction. For example, “Choose to be faithful to what you started. Faithfulness has rewards, so keep working even when it's hard.” (148) Here's another: “Make tithing your top financial priority each month. Find a way to make it work and adjust the rest of your budget to fit around it.” (157,158) If you respond well to that kind of instruction, along with some great stories illustrating the principles, you'll love this book. If, however, you need some practical coaching on how to keep working even when it's hard and finding a way to make tithing a priority, you will have to look elsewhere.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
He writes, “We have to make the decision to change and then discipline ourselves to make choices that will produce the new habits we want in our life (willpower).” (79) And, “Breaking free from life-controlling issues isn't easy.” (97) One of his “simple 'starter steps'” is “Quit the habit.” (98) He makes encouraging statements like, “You need to make the choice to be done with that way of living.” (98) Sometimes I felt Siebeling told me what I should be doing without providing the tools I needed to do it. At other times he did have some good suggestions, such as the questions he provides to help in making good decisions. Sometimes he gives the idea and leaves the work to the readers. For example, “For every worry, find a promise in God's Word to address your situation.” (67)
“God's grace gives us the power to walk away from anything holding us back,” Siebeling declares. (102) Nonetheless, he also writes, “Some emotional hangups require self-discipline and practical lifestyle adjustments; others may require addressing more serious underlying issues or getting professional help.” (51) He also suggests professional help may be necessary when dealing with “life-controlling issues.” (97) It seems that, while God's grace gives us the power, we may need professional help as well. I would have preferred knowing practical ways of seeing God's power at work within me.
This book contains lots of instruction. For example, “Choose to be faithful to what you started. Faithfulness has rewards, so keep working even when it's hard.” (148) Here's another: “Make tithing your top financial priority each month. Find a way to make it work and adjust the rest of your budget to fit around it.” (157,158) If you respond well to that kind of instruction, along with some great stories illustrating the principles, you'll love this book. If, however, you need some practical coaching on how to keep working even when it's hard and finding a way to make tithing a priority, you will have to look elsewhere.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
January 19, 2017
I walked into 2017 with a little bit of trepidation. My goal was (and still is!) to decrease overwhelm. I want to learn to say yes to the best things. And no to the things that distract from my ultimate goals. A big thing I've learned is that in order to decrease the overwhelm, I have to learn to let go of my old habits and hang-ups.
Letting go of things isn't easy for me.
I sometimes joke about my OCD tendencies and my need for routine. But it's a very real thing. I need a strong routine in order to feel like I'm thriving. And when I stick to that routine, it builds habits.
Habits that are hard to break.
But I want to break them because I know that they are keeping me from a life that is full. That feels like it is thriving.
So, I found some books to help me on that journey. One of those books is Moving Forward by John Siebeling. Check out the subtitle: Overcoming the Habits, Hangups, and Mishaps that Hold You Back.
Doesn't that just make you want to dive in?
It did for me!
It wasn't without some trepidation. Doing this kind of deep soul work isn't easy. Overcoming bad habits is hard. Overcoming good habits that need to shift and change is hard!
Siebeling encourages you to see, through the use of scripture, what it looks like to overcome your distracted and overwhelmed heart. And bring peace and order into our lives in a big way.
Evaluate, Eliminate, Elluminate
These three words will invite you to enter into change. At the end of each chapter, Siebeling provides three heart-searching questions that relate back to what you just read. This book has taken me longer than normal to read, purely because I'm soaking up all the information! I've had to take some time and slow down my reading. I've taken lots of time to answer the questions.
And I've been led to some heart discoveries. And some changes that need to be made. I'm learning to choose what is best for my life. My heart. And what I need to do to leave a stronger faith legacy in the end.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my own honest opinion.
Letting go of things isn't easy for me.
I sometimes joke about my OCD tendencies and my need for routine. But it's a very real thing. I need a strong routine in order to feel like I'm thriving. And when I stick to that routine, it builds habits.
Habits that are hard to break.
But I want to break them because I know that they are keeping me from a life that is full. That feels like it is thriving.
So, I found some books to help me on that journey. One of those books is Moving Forward by John Siebeling. Check out the subtitle: Overcoming the Habits, Hangups, and Mishaps that Hold You Back.
Doesn't that just make you want to dive in?
It did for me!
It wasn't without some trepidation. Doing this kind of deep soul work isn't easy. Overcoming bad habits is hard. Overcoming good habits that need to shift and change is hard!
Siebeling encourages you to see, through the use of scripture, what it looks like to overcome your distracted and overwhelmed heart. And bring peace and order into our lives in a big way.
Evaluate, Eliminate, Elluminate
These three words will invite you to enter into change. At the end of each chapter, Siebeling provides three heart-searching questions that relate back to what you just read. This book has taken me longer than normal to read, purely because I'm soaking up all the information! I've had to take some time and slow down my reading. I've taken lots of time to answer the questions.
And I've been led to some heart discoveries. And some changes that need to be made. I'm learning to choose what is best for my life. My heart. And what I need to do to leave a stronger faith legacy in the end.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my own honest opinion.
February 2, 2017
Stuck. I have felt it in my life many times. Especially now that I am in my thirties. I feel like while in many ways life has sped up in other ways life has slowed down, especially in how quickly I feel myself growing. I often feel the wheels spinning. I feel like my personal life is in slow motion while the world outside me is spinning.
Moving Forward is the opposite of feeling stuck. Moving Forward is essentially about learning to open your eyes to the things in your life that are weighing you down. Worry, Bitterness, Blaming others, just to name a few. It is about rejecting the Enemy's lies and embracing God's truth about your life - that you were made on purpose, to do something good in the world. One of my favorite lines is that "God's stories don't end in ashes." We may be going through a season that feels like all we have are ashes but our God is Redeemer and Restorer. It is His job to do that - to heal and redeem, but it is our job to cooperate with Him and surrender to Him and His ways.
This book won't be everyone's favorite - the voice felt kinda generic. The theology is a little bit more on the side of the prosperity gospel but John Siebeling makes some good points and reminded me of some important truths. The chapters are short and easy to read but at the same time thought provoking and practical.
A copy of this book was given to me for the purpose of review by the Baker Books Bloggers program.
Moving Forward is the opposite of feeling stuck. Moving Forward is essentially about learning to open your eyes to the things in your life that are weighing you down. Worry, Bitterness, Blaming others, just to name a few. It is about rejecting the Enemy's lies and embracing God's truth about your life - that you were made on purpose, to do something good in the world. One of my favorite lines is that "God's stories don't end in ashes." We may be going through a season that feels like all we have are ashes but our God is Redeemer and Restorer. It is His job to do that - to heal and redeem, but it is our job to cooperate with Him and surrender to Him and His ways.
This book won't be everyone's favorite - the voice felt kinda generic. The theology is a little bit more on the side of the prosperity gospel but John Siebeling makes some good points and reminded me of some important truths. The chapters are short and easy to read but at the same time thought provoking and practical.
A copy of this book was given to me for the purpose of review by the Baker Books Bloggers program.
February 7, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Baker Books for the e-ARC of this title in excahgne for an honest review. I was intrigued by this book, because I have to overcome things holding me back. I'm not getting younger. I am full of anxiety about it. This book was good, and I feel it was helpful. I got a bit nervous when I saw it was a Christian title, but it's not something that it hit over your head (I don't mind that...I just don't want it to completely rely on Christianity to solve the issues.) I'd recommend this title.
January 18, 2017
Too much god and Christianity and not enough to actually help people.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews