What do you think?
Rate this book
The Opposite Life: Unlocking the Mysteries of God’s Upside-Down Kingdom
What if the path to a life of abundance and blessing isn't what we expected? What if the way forward begins with going backward? In our constant search for a life filled with blessing and abundance, we often follow our human instinct and then wonder why we come up short. But it doesn't have to be that way. Join pastor and author Alex Seeley as she teaches us that God always has a better idea -- we just have to move in a new direction. In? The Opposite Life , Seeley explains that the secret to living a powerful and abundant life lies in the upside-down kingdom of God. Each chapter of The Opposite Life explores the opposite-life principles that can start to shift our mindset for the better, diving deeper into the natural contradictions between: Along the way, she offers encouraging and simple challenges to help us align our lives with God's subversive plan. As we learn to exchange our default instincts for the surprising teachings of Jesus -- our pioneer of the unlikely -- we discover a life of transformational power, abundance, and more blessing than we ever thought possible. Praise for The Opposite Life: "Our broken earth longs for just this type of unveiling. It is time for us to remember who we are and respond as sons and daughters of the Most High God. There is a desperate longing for His goodness in the face of overwhelming anger, pain, and confusion. The Opposite Life is a drink of living water in a dry and arid land." --Lisa Bevere, New York Times bestselling author of Without Rival and Girls with Swords
256 pages, Paperback
Published August 13, 2019
61 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 7, 2022
Pastor Alex is a truly gifted communicator of God's word and she has lived and continues to live a life that actually backs up everything she preaches. This book is a convicting treatise on what it actually looks like to live according to Kingdom principles and it will encourage and convict you to humbly submit yourself every day to God's calling on your life.
Favorite Quote: "God will most often commission us and then lead us directly into a hidden season that becomes our training ground before the real platform is given to us."
Favorite Quote: "God will most often commission us and then lead us directly into a hidden season that becomes our training ground before the real platform is given to us."
November 5, 2019
In this book, author Alex Seeley looks at the many upside down principles found in the Bible. Some of these included Death Vs. Life, Strong Vs. Weak, Worry Vs. Worship.
My favorite chapter was Full Vs. Empty. In this chapter Alex looked at Isaiah 58:11 line by line. It is chock full of so much goodness that I find myself wanting to copy and paste it all.
The verse begins, “I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places.“ Alex continues, “During Jesus’s time on earth, he was led into his own wilderness season, which seems so opposite to where he should’ve been going. John had just baptized him and when heaven opened and God announced, “This is my son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17). This was his commissioning into full-time ministry, a declaration on earth. I wish I had been there that day to encounter God coming upon Jesus, anointing Him for service with the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, in the very next verse, things take a strange turn: “Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (4:1)
“What? Can we read that again? Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil? The “empty” is actually overflowing with purpose for him...God will most often commission us and then lead us directly into a hidden season that becomes our training ground before the real platform is given to us. We all have dreams that are God-given. But in order for us to fulfill them, he needs to prepare, refine, and mature us so that we are able to carry the weight and responsibility of them. If it was necessary for Jesus to be led by God into the wilderness, then maybe we can understand how important it is to our journey.”
That last phrase stopped me in my tracks. I had never thought of it that way. I’ve spent an awful lot of time trying to avoid, deny, and run from wilderness seasons. But if a wilderness season is instrumental in Jesus’ life (who was already perfect), how much more beneficial, refining,and maturing might a wilderness season be to me?
I loved the personal stories she included about some of the faith decisions she and her husband made as they moved from Australia to the United States. If we are following God into the unknown, there are times our decisions will look foolish to the world. Faith is risky. I needed that reminder. We shouldn’t always base our decisions on our comfort or success, we need to listen for God’s whisper to us in each moment to decide what He might have us do, even if it makes no sense.
In summary, I felt the book was fairly simplistic and straight forward. If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, these upside down kingdom concepts will all be familiar to you. But, I definitely found food for thought and things that convicted my heart.
My favorite chapter was Full Vs. Empty. In this chapter Alex looked at Isaiah 58:11 line by line. It is chock full of so much goodness that I find myself wanting to copy and paste it all.
The verse begins, “I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places.“ Alex continues, “During Jesus’s time on earth, he was led into his own wilderness season, which seems so opposite to where he should’ve been going. John had just baptized him and when heaven opened and God announced, “This is my son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17). This was his commissioning into full-time ministry, a declaration on earth. I wish I had been there that day to encounter God coming upon Jesus, anointing Him for service with the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, in the very next verse, things take a strange turn: “Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (4:1)
“What? Can we read that again? Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil? The “empty” is actually overflowing with purpose for him...God will most often commission us and then lead us directly into a hidden season that becomes our training ground before the real platform is given to us. We all have dreams that are God-given. But in order for us to fulfill them, he needs to prepare, refine, and mature us so that we are able to carry the weight and responsibility of them. If it was necessary for Jesus to be led by God into the wilderness, then maybe we can understand how important it is to our journey.”
That last phrase stopped me in my tracks. I had never thought of it that way. I’ve spent an awful lot of time trying to avoid, deny, and run from wilderness seasons. But if a wilderness season is instrumental in Jesus’ life (who was already perfect), how much more beneficial, refining,and maturing might a wilderness season be to me?
I loved the personal stories she included about some of the faith decisions she and her husband made as they moved from Australia to the United States. If we are following God into the unknown, there are times our decisions will look foolish to the world. Faith is risky. I needed that reminder. We shouldn’t always base our decisions on our comfort or success, we need to listen for God’s whisper to us in each moment to decide what He might have us do, even if it makes no sense.
In summary, I felt the book was fairly simplistic and straight forward. If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, these upside down kingdom concepts will all be familiar to you. But, I definitely found food for thought and things that convicted my heart.
Read
February 3, 2021I think this is my first time reading a book about Christianity even though I'm also a Christian. I just started reading this book when something truly heart-breaking happened in my life. I was lost, upset, and I had lots of questions that I want to ask to God, but then I remembered this book and decided to keep on reading this. And well, I have to say that this book really gave me the strength that was really needed. This book gives me light and new hope by answering all of my doubts I had to God. Well it didn't really heal me instantly, I still had to went through a whole phase of grief but it did make me feel better. So, I would recommend this to anyone who are especially facing any kind of life issues, may this book give you strength as much as what this book has done to me.
April 4, 2020
When I give a book four stars it means I liked the book a lot. I could put it down easily (which isn’t always the case) but enjoyed picking it up again, too.
RECAP: God’s commands to us are often the complete opposite of our own natural tendency. For instance, God asks to have faith, when fear seems much more natural. We tend to worry when God would rather see us worship. You get the idea. Alex unpacks God’s desires for us with stories from her own life and how she has had to use some “opposite like thinking” in order to follow God’s plans.
I would recommend this book to anyone who desires to follow God's ways.
RECAP: God’s commands to us are often the complete opposite of our own natural tendency. For instance, God asks to have faith, when fear seems much more natural. We tend to worry when God would rather see us worship. You get the idea. Alex unpacks God’s desires for us with stories from her own life and how she has had to use some “opposite like thinking” in order to follow God’s plans.
I would recommend this book to anyone who desires to follow God's ways.
July 21, 2022
Alex Seeley is one of my favorite speakers and Christian pastors and this book did not disappoint. In every chapter she outlines a thinking of the world and contrasts it with how God actually calls us to think and live. And then she gives an example for every chapter. It’s so practical and it was incredible to read about the ways God has moved in so many people’s lives. I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
November 24, 2019
I have the honor of hearing Alex preach each week at church so I feel like I was reading this in her Australian voice the whole time. Some of the messages were not new to me, but not a word went glazed over and she spoke eloquently about the decisions we make and how complete surrender can change everything.
February 25, 2020
I began following The Belonging Co (Seeley's church) online about a month ago and really enjoyed her sermons. I decided to purchase her books and read this one first. I enjoyed each chapter and I know that I will re-read parts in the future as I come against certain things in my life. I enjoyed the intermingling of anecdote, scripture, and teaching--it is an easy read.
May 15, 2022
Alex has written a brilliant book that presents 20 different areas of life where the 'normal' human responce is contrated with the true way that God would have of act or respond.
Generally she takes about eight pages explaining our choices - with testimonies from her life and from several of her friends showing how acting the 'opposite' way works so much for good.
Happy to recommend!!
Generally she takes about eight pages explaining our choices - with testimonies from her life and from several of her friends showing how acting the 'opposite' way works so much for good.
Happy to recommend!!
July 5, 2025
I loved this book. My church had a book study with this and had Alex Seeley come speak as well.
It’s such a good way to start thinking with a “kingdom mindset” and as Christians we are to live opposite of the world. She gives stories and practical advice on how to do this, and more importantly, the why.
It’s such a good way to start thinking with a “kingdom mindset” and as Christians we are to live opposite of the world. She gives stories and practical advice on how to do this, and more importantly, the why.
September 23, 2019
Absolutely loved this book! Totally flipped my my thinking around about the Gospel. Enjoyed how she wrote about doing the opposite of how we feel makes us feel better. She loves God , TheGospel and people.
September 25, 2019
Positive, easy read. Only a few Christian-specific terms that I didn't understand.
I've often felt that what is truly valuable to God is pretty much opposite to that societies claim is important. This book supports my position.
I've often felt that what is truly valuable to God is pretty much opposite to that societies claim is important. This book supports my position.
April 6, 2020
This book was incredible! I want to read it again to glean more practical advice on how to walk like Jesus does. Her juxtaposition topics were spot on. I really appreciate her authenticity! I would recommend to believers and nonbelievers both!
July 1, 2022
This book is challenging in the best way. Alex Seeley challenges readers through God’s truth in living life opposite of how society wants us to. It is an easy read yet meaningful read. I highly recommend.
December 20, 2022
If Helplessness Is Our System. Then We're Better Off Upside-Down
I really enjoyed this book.
Alex has such a deep love of Jesus and it was so inspiring to read her story.
A very heartfelt read.
Would recommend!
4.2/5
I really enjoyed this book.
Alex has such a deep love of Jesus and it was so inspiring to read her story.
A very heartfelt read.
Would recommend!
4.2/5
January 8, 2023
I just finished The Opposite Life. It’s such a relatable, easy-to-read book. It challenged me to live an opposite life— for when we get to Heaven we will see that the upside down life we thought we were living was actually right side up all along. ❤️
September 8, 2019
Very challenging and applicable to our life. I am committed to living the opposite life!
September 20, 2019
I read this book in three days! Couldn’t put it down. So many great reminders backed up by scripture I’m inspired to memorize. Thank you for this gift Alex!
March 22, 2020
Alex Seeley lays out practical ways that we can live an opposite life for Jesus! Great read!
April 14, 2020
What an intriguing, insightful and inspiring book! Alex is a raw and genuine author who pours her heart out onto her pages. This is one I will read multiple times.
September 28, 2020
Excellent book. You can feel the love that Alex has for God. She is truly anointed by the holy spirit. Excited to read her next book.
October 5, 2020
This whole book could help us in facing everything by applying them in daily life.
January 21, 2022
Such a great book, absolutely loved it!
December 2, 2022
Incredible read!
March 23, 2023
My soul has been refreshed!!
January 27, 2024
I loved this book. It provided a Scriptural look at how we walk in step with the Spirit every single day. It felt practical, tangible and applicable. Highly recommend!!
December 30, 2024
A different theological background from my own but I did find some of it helpful / encouraging.
February 28, 2022
I heard Alex Seeley speak once and I just knew I had to hear more of her! I love how she is so real, raw and just plain human like. She uses her own experiences and those of her friends to explain what it means to live life the way Jesus did. I always feel like I understand scriptures better when they are explained with life examples. This book is so good at that…I recommend!
January 10, 2025
Amazing book.
Alex Seely is such a great writer who speaks the truth of God. She is inspiring and real. I enjoyed both of her books and devoured them. She is a great pastor and you can feel her passion for the Lord. Reading this book is a blessing and I highly recommend it!
Alex Seely is such a great writer who speaks the truth of God. She is inspiring and real. I enjoyed both of her books and devoured them. She is a great pastor and you can feel her passion for the Lord. Reading this book is a blessing and I highly recommend it!
February 5, 2020
Written from a pure heart ❤
Written from a heart that has proven living the Opposite Life to be true, not just for now, but eternity!
Written from a heart that has proven living the Opposite Life to be true, not just for now, but eternity!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews