Emotions- Mirrors of the Heart

by Catherine Haddow

Our emotions are powerful. We experience them so tangibly that they can often feel all-consuming. At one time or another, we will all have experienced what Catherine Haddow calls tears, fears and sneers those darker, harder emotions. We often don't know what to do with them. Sometimes we feel helplessly controlled by them, unable to see anything other than the emotion. At other times, we try and hide them from others and from God. In this book, you'll see that our emotions are vitally important as they are spiritual smoke alarms that can alert us to the state of our heart. Catherine presents her own tbH model which, when followed, helps us to understand our thoughts, emotions and behaviours in more detail, each providing vital information about the compelling desires, flowing from our hearts. She then helps us to apply biblical wisdom to where we're struggling, inviting God to change and transform us from the heart of the emotion the core of our being.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

126 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Ryan Lian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this very helpful! More of an indictment on me, but this book helps us to realise that 1) our emotions lie to us sometimes; 2) we don’t have to let our emotions control how we live. Great Christian perspective on CBT too.

[Olivia Sussex]

First half is too jargon-heavy, but the second half I found practical & encouraging

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a helpful read - the author aims to put a biblical lens on CBT, helping us to understand our heart desires in light of God’s word.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good intro to thinking through heart issues, and the author speaks a lot of truth. Maybe at the same time oversimplifying the messy area of emotions 💛

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Biblical approach to considering and navigating our emotions with Scriptural principles and wisdom.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Haddow is a chartered psychologist and this book is a very practical guide in how to address difficult emotions within a church community. She categorises emotions into sneers, fears and tears and her tbH model (thoughts, behaviour, HEART) helps to show us how these emotions are warning signs of a deeper spiritual problem between us and God. Only by addressing this through biblical thinking can those emotions be brought under control. This book is great for those struggling with emotion but also those who want to help others.

[Chloë Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good introduction into thinking about emotions and mental health but over simplified and maybe sometimes misplaced

[Michael G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but in honesty, I did not, and the rating I have given is because I suspect for others it could be quite useful.

There is lots of truth in it, Biblical truth. But there is, or at least I feel there is (!) a hardness rather than a softness to too much of it. As I read through I thought, gosh, all of this advice for someone who may be in a period of suffering, for whom it may fall on their deaf, frustrated ears, when it would be better positioning the book for someone to love and support those who may be hurting. The book does get there in the end, but there are periods where it seems as if it is one of the friends of Job, spitting out advice that is ostensibly true, but not holistic, helpful, or with heart, to a despondent and hurting man or woman.

[Rachael Weems · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and powerful book that I needed at this time. It was short but full to the brim of the hard reality of emotions and the grace and love for Christian’s and how we should view them. Ultimately, emotions are the result of the heart and this book walks you though how you can expose these idols by the grace of God.

[Ellelein Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a good book full of practical advice and grounded biblically. it is a good book to share with others too. Catherine is a delight and I am also enjoying other book by hers called Jars of clay.
I truly recommend this book and I think I might even use it with my teens.

[Susanna Hl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not something I'd thought much about, but I really enjoyed it, and came away with lots to think about. Good both for myself, and for thinking about how to help friends and family.

[Amanda Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great book on idolatry, not sure it helps with emotions!

[Courtney Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read as a personality researcher. Some spiritual aspects, but nothing groundbreaking.

[Zach Watt]

This is a really helpful book. And Catherine is passionate about what she does. Really good worked through examples...