A Woman After Gods Own Heart

by Elizabeth George, Jim George

A new cover and fresh updates enrich Elizabeth Georges bestselling A Woman After Gods Own Heart® (over 735,000 copies sold). This very popular selection for personal and group study is filled with rich advice, spiritual wisdom, and practical applications.
With passion and personality, Elizabeth George shares how a woman can follow God and seek His heart in every area of her life her husband her children her home her walk with the Lord her ministry
There is peace and purpose for the woman who prepares her heart and mind to embrace Gods plan every day. This new look will complement the other bestselling Elizabeth George titles loved by millions of women.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Faith, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction, Womens

Audiobook

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Elizabeth George is bestselling author and national speaker dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. For over 30 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth has helped countless men and women:

- Simplify life by focusing on God’s priorities.
- Appreciate God’s Word and apply it to everyday situations.
- Respond to circumstances with confidence by seeing yourself through God’s loving eyes.
- Increase closeness in marriage by serving and honoring each other.
- Powerfully shape the hearts of children and teenagers.
- Enjoy greater intimacy with God.

Women around the world are drawn to Elizabeth’s approach of daily starting with the Bible to handle life’s challenges. Her ability to weave biblical truth into everyday issues has led readers to make over 15 of her books bestsellers. Elizabeth’s distinctive work, A Woman After God’s Own Heart, has sold over 1 million copies and received the ECPA Platinum Book Award. Likewise, her delightful book, A Girl After God’s Own Heart, remains a treasured gift for moms and grandmothers and made the CBA Bestseller List for fourteen consecutive months.

Elizabeth also encourages women through her radio broadcast, “A Minute for Busy Women,” featured on Christian radio stations across America and at www.OnePlace.com. She is also a regular keynote speaker at women’s conferences and retreats.

In the midst of their busy writing schedule, Elizabeth and Jim love spending time with their two married daughters and eight grandchildren, taking daily walks along golden sands, and enjoying the beautiful Hawaiian sunsets. They divide time residing in Honolulu, Hawaii and the Washington State coast.

Reviews

[Michael Brennan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It looks like I'm the only man posting about this book. I'm glad my wife would not conform to this book. If I am the king as Ms. George suggests, my wife is an equal queen – just as powerful, a partner in ministry, and the faithful co-servant of Jesus. Men should not be afraid of powerful women. I would hope that my wife is unfaithful because I'm the boss, but that she's faithful because she's free to love and serve.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't yet finished this book, but at chapter 16 I don't foresee a huge shift in my review. So far I have enjoyed the chapters on building your home and prayer. My issue with George's book is how she handles biblical servitude. Maybe I am misunderstanding her, but it seems as though her treatment of serving your husband and children is almost bordering on idolatry. In the section on Godly training, she suggests driving your children to as many church and youth group activities as possible even if it requires going to bed and setting your alarm for the middle of the night so you can go pick them up. I thought the bible required us, the parents, to train them? She makes it sound like her children were barely at home between school, church, and activities. Then when they are at home she practically worships them. I found much of what she suggests to be cultural more than biblical.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every so often to refresh me on how my marriage should look. I love these books they are honest and hard hitting, but wonderful in setting straight the role of a woman in marriage.

I first read this book to fix my husband, but I ended up crying out to God to change myself after reading how wrong I was to be so selfish in my marriage.

Elizabeth George is not afraid to tell it how it is and she definitely says it in love.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually don't write reviews but...

I wouldn't recommend this book for any new Christian woman. It blurs the line between husband worship and being a godly wife, according to scripture, as other reviews have mentioned.
While I was reading this, I couldn't help but think of all the women of the Bible who were leaders, who were bold, who had purposes much more than being a good wife and standing behind their husband to be his servant.
There was some great advice in here, but overall it blurs the lines too much for me.

[Amy Sparks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read George's book Beautiful in God's Eyes and appreciated how empowering it was because of how it celebrating the many aspects of being a Christian woman. Unfortunately, this book is just like the stereotypical Stepford wife/shut up and look pretty image of a Christian woman. When I told my husband about the book, he thought it sounded terrible. I couldn't even finish it.

The book starts out reasonably enough by seeming to cut through the negative connotations of 'submission', but it quickly works backwards into unrealistic territory. When George describes how a husband should be greeted when he gets home - wife dressed up and fixed up, children lined up and not bickering, and wife having a proper verbal greeting on hand (how was his day/don't complain about your own), it's downright ridiculous. My kids are doing homework when Dad gets home, and good luck trying to keep them from picking on each other. After all, they're kids.

And as someone whose health limits my ability to clean thoroughly, George's emphasis on maintaining a household can be demoralizing. Instead of encouraging, the book can feed feelings of inadequacy.

This book feeds the stereotypes of mid-20th century instead of providing a realistic view for the 21st century.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book thinking it would give an insightful and thoughtful perspective on how to cultivate the heart of David as a woman. However, instead of doing this, it gives a legalistic, radical view of how to be the "perfect" wife and mother, aka, a doormat who lets everyone walk all over her. Elizabeth George comes off as an arrogant, condescending woman who thinks she's perfect. I like Beth Moore so much better than Mrs. George because although Mrs. Moore is spiritual and obviously has a lot of spiritual wisdom to impart to women, she is real. She neither tries to portray herself as someone who is perfect nor as someone who has a legalistic relationship with the Lord. Seriously, I would hate to be Mrs. George's child. She teaches her children that they cannot watch TV unless they are doing something while they watch it. They can't become engrossed in a TV show. She teaches that as a woman, you must not disagree with your husband about anything, even something as simple as returning a lamp because it doesn't match the decor of a room. I could go on and on. Despite all of these problems, Mrs. George does have some valuable things to say. Just keep in mind that you will have to ignore a lot of what she says though, because she takes such Biblical concepts as submissiveness and takes it to the extreme.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am really puzzled by all the great reviews of this book. Remind me which century we are in?

[Hilarey Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some good truths in this book.

However, I had several problems. First off, it indicates that you need to be a wife and a mother to be a woman after God’s heart, as every chapter seems to relate to those roles.

But even if it was a “married mom after God’s heart” I would still not have liked it.

For example, answering “Sure,” without thought or discussion when your husband says, “Hey, Babe. Want to move to China?” actually robs him of the opportunity to have godly counsel from you. Just because he has to answer to God for how he runs your family doesn’t mean you should watch him flounder, especially if he asks for advice!

It also prevents him from the ability to love you more than himself—when he doesn’t even know your desires.

I believe in Biblical submission but I don’t feel like the first half of this book (how far I got) does justice to the husband’s or the wife’s role.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars from me!

This book was chock full of practical advice and stories to help you along you own walk with God. Elizabeth George covered a variety of topics she had found in the Bible to be important to being a woman after God.

My only complaints were that I wish it were organized better. Some of the very last chapters should have been first to explain the journey we were about to embark on. And separating the chapters with a dividing page for each section would have been nice since the name of the chapters didn't describe which topic we were on (husband, home, kids, etc.). This just caused some general confusion for me at times when I wanted to g back and read certain sections.

Personally this book challenged me. I thought it was going to be a book more about David and how to have a walk like his. Instead a found a great gem about how to become a strong Biblical woman. I loved the practical bits best and will have to go back again and again to apply them all to my life. My first step is going to be starting my Five Fat Folders!

[Katie Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on sorting through our priorities as Christian women.
#1 God
#2 Husband
#3 Kids
#4 Home
#5 My Spiritual Growth
#6 My Ministry Activities
#7 Other Activities

The only thing I found a little disheartening about the book is that it definitely assumes stay-at-home mom. I'm sort of a hybrid work-at-home, work-outside-the-home in my life, so I did find some parts a little hard to reconcile. But, to be fair, she does address this in the updated version and comments that when she wrote it less than half of Christian mothers worked outside the home, and now over 70% do. My biggest failure in this area (I feel) is taking care of the home. I don't have fresh-cut flowers, perfectly clean rooms, or a home-cooked meal every night, though I would love to, it's probably just not too realistic this stage of our lives. Plus, Eli's not coming home for dinner every night (he's coming home for breakfast after 24-hour shifts!).

That being said, the basics are so timeless! Time with God helps us grow and impact others exponentially.

One of my personal favorite takeaways from this book is Elizabeth's advise to create "Five Fat Files" - to pick 5 areas that I want to grow in and fill it with articles, notes, etc. to help me learn that topic with the goal of becoming an EXPERT. Examples she gave include hospitality, health, child-raising, home-making, Bible-study methods, attributes of God, fruits of the Spirit, biblical counseling, teaching, heroes of the faith, parenting, organization, holiness, etc.

I think I am going to try either Pinterest boards or an Evernote notebook for my "Five Fat Files."

1. Raising Kids to Love Jesus
2. Intimacy in Marriage
3. Christian Leadership in the Workplace
4. Slow Food (http://www.slowfoodusa.org/) also inspired by another awesome book I'm reading - Notes from a Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World - more on that later!
5. Time Management!

This is a read, but my favorite Elizbeth George book (so far) is still Life Management for Busy Women: Living Out God's Plan with Passion & Purpose!

[Tammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time. I have no idea how many times I've read it, but each time I do it helps me tremendously. Anyone having trouble knowing what her priorities as a woman should be, really ought to dig into this amazing and life-changing book.

[Lynette Duquette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be very good when it comes to giving advice on spending time with God. In regards to how we are to treat our husbands it borders on husband worship, and comes pretty close to making our husbands an idol.

[Ada Tarcau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have many mixed feelings about this book. 
I am aware of the importance of aiming for the highest and not killing your ideal (through dismissive cynicism, for example). So I have tried to keep an open heart and have filled here and there her blunt exhortations with more biblical context and depth (which made them more swallowable). I guess I have much to learn from the book: being a christlike servant, loving and open-handed because I am already secure, shaking my egocentric tendencies, being a better watcher over my people and my home, more disciplined and diligent, more intentional with my time, health and other resources. And I was glad to refresh the wisdom in the beginning chapters on the word, prayer and obedience to God. Also, there are many beautiful and important Bible references which make up much of the book’s worth for me. (In fact, the book appeared as a by-product of her fervent desire of reading through the Bible looking for what it tells her as a woman to be and to do, as she was starting her faith-journey, which I find commendable).

But I do have some problems with the book.
Elizabeth George seems to be the sort of person that simply acts unwaveringly and committed upon every conviction she receives (such a foreign experience for me). I guess we need this sort of motivating inspiration and I hope it catches. I’d like catching it now, with the turn of the year.
But she does not let much sense of struggle leak through to us. And, perhaps as part of the culture of her generation, encourages to never ever talk about what’s bad in your family (and I do not mean demeaningly, which is obviously wrong). Living in a community that is not open about their struggles can feel really daunting when you carry many battles from within and without - especially for younger women, who might have fed themselves unchecked on diets of strong idealisms about family life before marriage. Some problems take a really long time to be fixed and there are a myriad of intricate contributing factors, the author’s seem to be fixed so straightforwardly. I believe we need to hear more in churches that that struggle is real and “normal”, otherwise we are all living in solitary desperation that everybody else is put together, but we are somehow left out. (Whereas the gospels send a completely different message: the church is supposed to be here for the sick in need of a Doctor, the white facade is a hypocrite’s tomb, “come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened”, grace is for the desperate who finally sees that all his work falls short). So I think more vulnerability on her part might have helped. I can't say I have met much insight about the power of grace in the book.

The second issue is connected to this crazy drive with efficiency. “Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best”. She uses the principle of momentum to encourage you to never stop so as not to be harder to start again. Well… I have been an efficiency-addict much of my adult life and I can tell that efficiency and the desire to never stop from your work is a terrible goal when it comes to relationships, especially when it comes to raising multiple small children. And efficiency also has a hard toll on the ability for stillness which is crucial for a vibrant faith and prayer life. I guess the world has changed a lot since that generation and with all the infinite good things we can do with our time, that it is impossible to set and keep right priorities without a healthy dose of stillness and rest. The book The Ruthless elimination of hurry addresses excellently this issues and it is very relevant for our times.

My third issue has to do with the colossal way the society has changed after the industrial and technological revolutions, which have freed women of much of their hard time-consuming labor in the home to feed and cloth her family. It freed the children to become educated, girls too. It lowered drastically the number of years of a women’s life spent in the vulnerable state of being pregnant or breastfeeding/caring for an infant (through contraception). It changed the need for physical power (men power) to brain power, which both sexes posses equally. The average household cannot live by one income. Etc. So it is only natural that women are working more and more outside of home. The book does not acknowledge much of this change, many of her exhortations do not apply to this reality. But I do agree that our primary input should be in the lives of our husband and children.

Fourthly, I have also an issue with the way she described biblical submission. We have an example of perfect submission, Christ. Yet Christ was not self-effacing or spineless. He was both a lion and a lamb. I believe husbands need women who speak up the truth (and my husband agrees), who they can contend with, who can challenge their opinions in a respectful, loving way.

And last of all, I didn’t find her writing style captivating. It is not what moves my heart. More like a checklist of things to think about, or put on your planner, plus a good selection of bible verses. It has its place, though. (For example, it does work well as a springboard to search deeper into scripture certain themes and character traits). I do not intend to throw the baby with the bathwater and mean to learn what I can from her. She has reached an old age trying to apply scripture to her life.

[Lovely Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate I had to give this book a star at all. At best, it may have deserved one little leg of the star to be colored in. I was sorely disappointed. As a Christian woman, the hope when I began this book was to deepen my relationship with God and walk closer with Him. Fat chance with this read. It should have been titled "A Woman After Her Husband's Heart." The entire book was nothing but husband-worship and slobbering over a man like a love-sick teenager. I consider myself to be kind of old-fashioned, but this was just sickening. Yes, the Bible tells us to submit to our husbands, but this woman makes it sound like we are to be their slaves. And this wasn't just in a chapter or two. No, the whole book went on and on about pleasing our men, like that is our only purpose in the world. What about divorced women, abused women, widowed women? Those women would gain nothing from this book and neither would career women, single women, or women in general who think of themselves as anything but a doormat. I was appalled at how she could start on the subject of one thing completely unrelated to marriage, and turn it around to make it all about serving a husband. Sorry, lady. I worship God, not my husband. She may want to take her head out of his behind long enough to get back into her Bible and see that idolatry is a sin. Also, her overuse of exclamation points was annoying. Normally a book of this length is an easy read for me, but I kept putting it down in frustration, and it took me quite a while to trudge through this disaster. Admittedly, there were a couple of useful points wedged in between the husband worshiping, but it was hard to take anything she said seriously after all that. The best part of this was near the end, and that was only because she was quoting other authors and works they had written. They clearly had a better grasp on reality than she. I would not recommend this to anyone and I regret I wasted so much time on it, myself. Very disappointed.

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY REVIEW:

This is a "must-read" for any and every woman. Elizabeth digs into Biblical truth and shares practical application for our every day lives. She is sweet, kind, and encouraging all the while gently prodding each woman to be a woman after the heart of God.

I enjoy Elizabeth's organized approach and kind, yet direct manner as she shares from the Word of God and from her own life. While I really appreciated and enjoyed the original release, I think that in this updated version she has mellowed a bit and it may be easier for more and more woman to read and enjoy. I like the easy reading and then the study guide portion that helps you think through what you just read - it's a great combination for aiding in spiritual growth.

I personally think this book can be used in just about any setting - individually, one-on-one, group Bible study, and even hand-in-hand with the teen version for a Mother/Daughter study.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

A new cover and fresh updates enrich Elizabeth George’s bestselling A Woman After God’s Own Heart® (over 735,000 copies sold). This very popular selection for personal and group study is filled with rich advice, spiritual wisdom, and practical applications.

With passion and personality, Elizabeth George shares how a woman can follow God and seek His heart in every area of her life—

* her husband
* her children
* her home
* her walk with the Lord
* her ministry

There is peace and purpose for the woman who prepares her heart and mind to embrace God’s plan every day. This new look will complement the other bestselling Elizabeth George titles loved by millions of women.

[Heather Laaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super torn on this one. There is a lot of really good practical applications for Christian women. But it also seemed very "do these things and you'll win at being a Christian." I think her ideas were good and helpful, but I think she didn't show enough of the struggle. So her readers are left with the impression that if they're having trouble they just aren't working hard enough.
A lot of people have brought up the submission issue. It's tough when the world doesn't want wives to submit and you are constantly told to put yourself first and housekeeping is looked down on. It's easy to push back really hard, but I think perhaps she pushed back too far. I feel like if I completely followed everything she suggested regarding my husband I think John would probably feel like a giant man baby. I do think we shouldn't throw the whole thing out because of that. She invisible suggests we take the command to submit to our husbands more seriously than we probably do and I think there is some wisdom there.
I did get some VERY good ideas about both prayer and time management.
Overall I'm not mad I read it. Parts were good and parts not so good. I'm not entirely sure I'd recommend it though.

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to begin! I've had this book sitting in my house for 3 years and I am just now getting around to reading it.

I loved this book & every word in it. It hit me right in the face all the things I could be doing to improve my life and most importantly, my walk with Christ. Elizabeth George gives such practical and helpful tips on improving things in your life such as being a wife, a mother and a woman after God's own heart! Even if you are not a wife or mother, just being a woman in general you get very important lessons. I love the scripture that she used, and even more, I loved how MUCH scripture she used. I can't wait to go back to this book as a reference and to read more from Elizabeth George.

[Trace · Rating 5 out of 5]

August 12th update: This is about the 7th time I've read this book and I love it just as much (if not more) each time.

********************

I've read this book about 5 times now over the past 12-15 years... and I'm amazed by how "fresh" it seems to me every single time I read it. Its such a classic. I will always, always love this book. Its unapologetic but yet very much grace-filled... A lot of modern women will no doubt roll their eyes at its timeless viewpoints.... but every time I feel the urge to read this book, I know its because I need to relearn some of its lessons.

I can't find the accompanying study guide that I used to own, so I've reordered a copy and I'll work on this over the summer.

[Laura Froese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't have any major disagreements with the book, even with her strong complementarian mindset which seems to drive many of the less-than-glowing reviews. However, I found this book to be "basic" and overall lacking. It's very practical, almost too practical, without laying a Scriptural foundation of a believer's ultimate responsibility to pursue sanctification. I would rather suggest Barbara Hughes's Disciplines of a Godly Women which, imo, does a better job of teaching a woman to live a holy and sanctified life in every regard.

[Jesse1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading “A Women After Gods Own Heart” it gave me lots of different and new perspectives, as a practicing Christian I was struggling to know or to figure out if I was doing the right things for my husband and my child and this book gave me some kind of guideline along with the Bible to keep on keeping on and doing what’s right as the women God has called us to be I would read it again and I would definitely buy this book as a gift for a fellow women believer.

[Vanessa R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was difficult to power through. It was the very first "Christian" book I bought at age 16, and I did not start reading through it until about two years ago -- and for that I am thankful. I appreciated the emphasis on seeking prayer before committing to anything to see if it really was something God would have you to do or consider; however, I feel she quickly contradicted herself in chapters to follow by writing that a wife should train herself to automatically say sure to whatever your husband may request, as well as asking your children whether or not they feel comfortable with you doing something or going somewhere as your family is your God-given priority. Personally, I feel this is a dangerous encouragement as as any good gift can quickly become an idol, and if you are making decisions according to man, than you are limiting where God may be leading you. Also, the majority of the book was filled with what one should be "doing" daily, especially in ministry, and what that looks like (according to George) with illustrations that did not seem realistic or practical. I did, however, find the chapters about how we as women set the tone for our home to be refreshing and insightful.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I needed right now. I'd say it's very counter-cultural, but very Biblical. Great insight as to what it means to be a Christian wife, mother, and homemaker. Very challenging to me, but I can't say that I really disagreed with much that she said. I'm already starting to put some of the principles into practice and can tell a difference. I know this is going to be a book that I will carry with me for a long time and probably re-visit many times. I highly recommend for any Christian woman, especially young women just starting out with their families.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our group is doing this study without the video. It can be done, but the video may add a lot more to it. If you can't afford the video, I suggest supplimenting your study with her book by the same name. The book fills in the gaps. We also found that within one week she repeats herself in the questions. The question may be worded differently, but it is the same message. Perhaps repetition helps one to learn the lesson more. I highly recommend this study. It will bring you closer to God.

[Elcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I think anyone who wants to know how to be a better woman, mother, and wife should read this book

[Challice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this 2 other times in my life. this last month I picked it up to read again. I entered the first chapter and my heart sunk. This wasn't the depth or enriching book I remember from my earlier years. Was I more immature as a Christian than I thought? I didn't need a book of stories, but more of depth and biblical wisdom. I read on with some trepidation and by chapter three, I couldn't put down this book. Let me say that again: me, someone who struggles with nonfiction, someone who needs to test everything with scripture when it comes to nonfiction was inhaling a book. After a spiritually struggling season, this was the book that I needed. It did not disappoint for it kept pointing me to THE Book.
So, I take back my hasty first opinions. I enjoyed this very much. While Elizabeth George worked to give a book that would help women in all walks of life, I do think that married woman will benefit most from this book.
5 stars. Will read again.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful! So much wisdom and so many practical suggestions for growth and contentment and a fulfilling life. Loved the idea of the “Five Fat Files” especially. Definitely recommend

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
Plenty of wisdom to glean from this book! It covers all topics from matters of the heart (stewardship, diligence, love, etc.), to very practical things (marriage, church, schedules, etc.). It’s scripture filled and rich with biblical perspective. If you need a general “guidebook” for being a godly woman this is a solid read.

However — I would argue that this book can border on legalism in certain sections (particularly on marriage). There was a general tone of “keeping the peace” even at the cost of the wife’s own spiritual health. Not everything she recommended was rooted in scripture but more so advice from her own marriage. An excess of advice to not share what’s on your heart in the name of not putting a strain on your husband. I hear her heart and intention which is good. But in the right context, it can be damaging to your marriage to keep your heart and feelings hidden from your husband, especially when it pertains to him. A godly husband’s love is made to be a safe space for his wife to work through her internal battles. Not every wrestling match within a wife’s heart is divisive, and I believe this is a necessary clarification to this book.

It also at times felt a little repetitive. I like when Christian lifestyle books make one point one way. Not one point from five different angles. It’s very testimony and story driven from different women’s experiences that the author knows. It’s more a personal preference of mine to keep it simple and to the point. But if you appreciate story driven writing, you’ll like this one!

Otherwise, I’d still recommend this book. It has a lot of wonderful tools and encouragement in being a godly woman. Just remember the true authority on womanhood is God. His word is the basis in which we as His daughters live. These kinds of books are simply tools to support what we see in scripture.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a disappointment because I absolutely loved "Loving God With All Your Mind" and was hoping for this to be just as full of Biblical truth. I'm happy that Elizabeth was able to build a happy marriage and lead a happy Christian home with her methods, but treating children as idols and worshipping your husband is not what Proverbs 31 is all about. Elizabeth rarely gave expositional commentary on the Scripture in this book (as she did in the last one) but instead gave "practical" housekeeping advice that only applied to wives and mother. (When she briefly addressed any Christian woman who didn't fall into that category, it was always with the caveat of "not yet" or "when you get to that point" as if it is a prerequisite for salvation for women to be married and bear children) My husband was appalled at some of the passages I read aloud to him, as to what I am "supposed" to be doing and how he is basically a sideline player in any responsibility as it relates to the home and family. The understanding is, if he is exerting himself at home at all, I'm not doing my job. (The idea of the wife ever getting a reprieve from carrying the entire physical, emotional, logistical, and even spiritual load of the needs of the family at all times seemed absent.) For some, the traditional roles of men and women in a 1950s style household (the man goes to work and the woman does literally everything else) is a great way to express their love for one another. But to put this lifestyle on a pedestal of spirituality and call it the sole Biblical design for families is not good interpretation of the Word of God.
I'm giving this book 2 stars instead of 1 because I enjoy listening to Elizabeth George and would probably be her friend if we met in real life. But I think she missed the mark with this book, and it could even be harmful to a new Christian if she believed this patriarchal view of marriage was truly God's one and only design. Put this book down and go read Loving God with All Your Mind instead.

[Adriane Devries · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth George boldly claims that there is a way to live that will bring freedom and joy to a woman’s life. Through her exploration of the precepts of womanhood in the Bible, she lays out the lost art of being a secure and loving servant-helper to our husbands; managing our homes and the gifts God entrusts to us with self-control and discipline; training and nurturing of our children with firmness and love; and healthfully walking alongside friends and others who likewise need the guidance of God’s ways to release us from the destructive patterns we’ve no doubt picked up along the way. With humility, George describes how she not-so-graciously used to deal with her husband and children, until she learned that God himself promises to equip us with his own strength to change. She concludes that we do not need to do this life according to our own understanding, that to do so leads to destruction. Only through Christ is lasting change possible, and he gives us incredible strength and grace in this life-long pursuit. This book both challenged and affirmed areas of growth in my life and was a delight to read and discuss with a group of other women who desire to do life “God’s way.”