All the Feels: Discover Why Emotions Are (Mostly) Awesome and How to Untangle Them When They’re Not

by Elizabeth Laing Thompson

“ All the Feels could turn your 2020 around!” ―Crosswalk.com
Emotions―love them or hate them, we’ve all got them.

And we’ve all got to figure out what to do with them. But wait― can we do anything about our emotions? Can we learn how to identify, express, experience―and yes, sometimes wrangle―our feelings in order to live a vibrant, healthy, fruitful life for Jesus?

In All the Feels , author Elizabeth Laing Thompson uses her experiences as a big feeler to encourage and equip different kinds of feelers with the biblical perspectives, practical tools, and scriptural reservoir they need. As a woman who has lived every day of her life having All The Big Feelings All The Day Long, Elizabeth knows what it’s like to live life through our emotions―and how important it is to understand, take control of, and grow from those emotions. Whether you have a sensitive soul with more feelings than you know how to name, a logical personality that doesn’t quite know what to do with feelings, or a steady flow of emotions somewhere in the middle, All the Feels will help you
Get ready to throw open the doors of your heart, bringing God to your emotions and your emotions to God―the One who invented feelings and who always welcomes yours.

Genres: Self Help, Christian, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Emotion

288 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2020

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at the right time, when I was first learning how to deal with emotions after shutting them away for most of my life. (I still feel like a newborn in that department.) A lot of the first few chapters were really helpful to me. But as it went on, it grew more focused on the big feelers, and therefore less helpful to me. It picked back up again in part three for me, but I still found myself skimming some parts. So while it’s definitely not written ONLY for big feelers, I do think the people I’d most recommend this to would be those who feel a LOT and don’t know how to handle it.

[Carson Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this would be a good book for other people but not me in particular. If you would describe yourself as a big feeler or your enneagram is a 2 or 4 you’d prob like this a lot.

1st book finished in quarantine. I want to get to 3

[Mom2triplets04 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this on audio. It was very positive and got me to think more of God in my life. She did refer to the Bible often quoting scripture. Certainly a book you can go back and refer to the Bible verses.

[KatyRobertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some chapters I really liked: particularly the one about interpreting/internalizing all of scripture to apply to you in the moment - and the chapter on relationships with big feelings. I learned a lot from those chapters.

However, one part of the book that frustrated me is that feelings were not celebrated that much. I have spent a decent amount of my life feeling ashamed for caring deeply, like I am weak. I often got the idea that I was "too much" - so from the title of the book, I expected to read a little bit more about the spiritual gifts of the more emotional - how they show empathy, love well, serve others needs. I was eager to hear my pluses because oftentimes emotional people are told to control themselves, and their many positive attributes are not celebrated.

I am raising my own big feeler now....and the emotions can be tough, but I am trying my hardest to celebrate how she loves her friends well, how she senses needs and meets them, how she is very aware of the world around her. I want her to not grow up feeling that she is broken - but that like every other personality type, she has positives and negatives - and that the emotions that can be unruly can also make her into an amazing loving tender hearted person. I wish this had been celebrated more in this book. Even in my 30s, I would have benefited from the encouragement that my personality has a lot to give.

[Victoria Duffoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a good read to grow your emotional intelligence! I heard about this book listening to the Girl's Night podcast by Stephanie May Wilson! Trying my best to summarize the three "feelers" ... - 1) Being self aware of emotions and empathizing with others takes greater effort if you are a "reluctant feeler" (someone who mostly identifies as being fair minded and a peacemaker). 2) A "steady feeler" is someone who mostly identifies as being logical while being aware of emotions but not letting them rule. 3) "Big feelers" are people who mostly identify as being highly emotional and keen to expressing themselves, though often letting their emotions lead. All have strengths and weaknesses that point to how we need each other as the body of Christ! The majority of the book addresses "big feelers" but overall I'd recommend if you are looking to grow in understanding your own emotions and how to better relate to others!

[Ashley Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book couldn't have had been released at a better time! The global pandemic has really elevated ALL the feelings about everything in this world and they oftentimes get the best of me. Examining this aspect of my personality from a Christian, biblical perspective has put it all in a new light for me. Now that I know God has not only GIVEN me the feelings I am experiencing but has also sketched out a true road map for me to be able to handle them, it's so much less burdensome. And what a surprise it was for me when I took the "What Kind of Feeler Are You?" quiz. I always knew I could have moments of being a Big Feeler but really thought I was a true steady feeler. As I delved into the book and really examined myself, I learned - yep, I AM a big feeler! I'm so thankful to have been blessed by this book and hope that others share this amazing introspection of themselves as well.

[Mechthild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know how you feel?
Well-known author of the trilogy "When God Says..." Elizabeth Laing Thompson's goal with her book "All the Feels. Discover Why Emotions Are (Mostly) Awesome and How to Untangle Them When They’re Not", published by Tyndale House Publishers - Tyndale Momentum is to encourage and equip. different kinds of feelers with the biblical perspectives, practical tools, and scriptural reservoir they need. The book is divided into three parts: 1) How should We Feel About Our Feelings?, 2) What Specific Feelings Tend to Trip Us Up?, and 3) How do Emotions Work in the Real World?
In chapter 1 "Welcome to Our World" Thompson invites her readers to "throw open the doors of your heart as we explore what God has to say about feelings. And you might be surprised to discover how much God has to say about feelings!" Later in the same chapter she prays for her readers that "you will find more happy and learn how to stay holy. I pray you will be inspired by the wondrous possibilities your emotional nature allows. Emboldened to embrace the beautiful soul God dreamed you would be. Equipped with more of the biblical perspectives, practical tools, and scriptural arsenal you need to encourage your faith, protect your joy, and amplify your strengths." Thompson shows what the different feelers (reluctant, steady, big) have to offer and what their strengths and weaknesses are. In chapter 16 "Sharing Your Emotional Gifts With the World" Thompson tries to show her readers where they can go from there. I also highly appreciated chapter 17: "How God Feels About Feelers" which concludes the book and shows that feelers are valued by God.
Thompson is personal, open, and honest in her Bible-based book. Every chapter ends with a segment entitled "Feeling Your Way Forward" with a prayer prompt and journal prompts which will help readers to get even more engaged with the topic. Footnotes help for reference and for deeper study. I highly recommend this book for readers who are open to or question their feelings, their emotions and for those who want to know more about them. For younger readers Thompson is offering a special version of this book entitled "All the Feels for Teens: The Good, the Not-so-good, and the Utterly Confusing."
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#AllTheFeels #NetGalley

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing - I would totally recommend buying it (yes, I got a free copy but I can honestly say, it's the kind of book that I would read more than once and have highlighted much of). At times, I felt like the author was inside my head or reading from my journal. Everything she says is scriptural based. She isn't a professional but she has developed a toolbox from personal experience and provides valuable insight into emotions.

The author uplifts the reader and points out the bonuses of ones emotional giftings. I feel that this is especially helpful for those who have big feelings and are often times written off as sensitive. I have already recommended this to one person and I know others who I will be recommending it to when published.

[Courtney Lyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I began reading this book, I asked my husband to read it with me. We are 2 very different feelers and I felt like it would help both of us. The book was well written in a friendly style and had some good scriptural points that I have already put into practice with good outcomes.

The only thing that both my husband and I didn't care for was the "do over". From her example it seemed like in the do over her husband got everything he had wanted and all she got was permission to not feel guilty for originally saying no. It felt like a manipulation tactic although I could see it working if there had been compromises made on both sides.

Over all though I thought it was a great book. The last couple pages alone made it worth reading.

[Sara Minter · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you so much

I needed this book and it’s insight at just the right time. (I am working to be reconciled with my husband who left me and our girls, almost 14 years ago) I am stoic and was trained that way at a young age, now I understand that it isn’t a bad thing at all. And it has helped me survive these 14 years and remain close to God.
I was asked to sit in my feelings, but I had no clue what that even means. Now, I can better understand myself and get in touch with feelings. I can process them in a godly way and use the experience to help others, and prayerfully, my estranged husband. May he find his way back to God.

[Amanda Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book for anyone who has all the feelings all the days of all their lives. A beautifully written blend of practical tools and mind blowing insights from scripture. Not only is it packed full of wisdom and new tools for my toolbox, but it helped me better understand the heart of the Father and inspired me to want to know Him more fully through every last feel! I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to read through all my marks and highlights and really start to put it all in to practice!

[Carrie Daws · Rating 4 out of 5]

None of my friends would be surprised to hear that I am what this author calls a reluctant feeler. Within these pages, I discovered a gentle reassurance that I am perfectly made in my reluctance (a rare delight) as well as help in understanding those who are both steady and big feelers. The author draws out the strengths in each type, showing how we can love each other well. Still, much of the book felt most applicable to the big feelers among us, which makes sense, I suppose. So it’s to those that would likely find this book the most helpful.

[Teresa Forsberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author describes three feeling types: reluctant feelers, steady feelers, and big feelers. However, most of the book is devoted to the big feelers (to which the author relates most). I did like that she gave strengths to each type of feeler and tied each feeler to Scripture. I think this book would have much more potential if it focused more on all the feeling types more equally. Many mentions of reluctant and steady feelers were just one paragraph per chapter and even then sometimes focused more on how reluctant and steady feelers could help the big feelers.

[Shanan Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me forever to actually get motivated to read this book, but I'm not sure why. The writing style is not difficult to read, but it just never sucked me in. Perhaps because I didn't fully relate fully to any one of the author's three "feeler categories" and in the beginning I was a bit overwhelmed by the processing questions at the end of every chapter. However, in hindsight, I did appreciate reading through the processing questions since they were quite thought-provoking. Overall, it was a good read, if only to re-cement biblical truths in my mind about healthy perspectives on emotions.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to like about the book. Plenty of practical applications for all types of personalities or as she categorizes them, the three types of "feelers". Her book does dominate from what type of person she is as a "big feeler". But the questions that she asks after each chapter and the entertaining stories that she tells throughout will get you thinking on how you react to each situation you find yourself in and how do you balance emotion and feelings with theology and what your mind knows to be true or should know anyway. I did recommend this to my wife, so it is a winner.

[Lori Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her new book, Elizabeth Laing Thompson helped illuminate my understanding of the complicated world of emotions. With her keen sense of humor, practical insight and deep scriptural understanding, she paints a vivid picture of how God wants to use our emotions to draw near to him, help other people and possibly find even greater purpose in our lives. One of the best spiritual books I’ve read in a long time. I highly recommend this book.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed a lot of the practical tips given throughout this book to help us process and untangle our complex emotions! I also really like the journal prompts at the end of each chapter. The only thing that keeps me from giving this a full 5 stars is that the majority was focused on “big feelers” (which I understand), but as a borderline steady/reluctant feeler, I wish more things were addressed about that.

[JJ Beairsto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. I would recommend going through it as a daily Bible study and journaling after each chapter. I feel this helped me get the most out of this book. So thankful she wrote something biblical for us big feelers. Made me learn a lot about myself and the way God intended my (many/intense) feelings to be used for His glory. I will be thinking and applying this book to my life for many years.

[Ry Shavlik · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book tbh. As a therapist I agreed with most/all of her practice suggestions. My main qualm is that her definition of “big feeler” is someone with chronic anxiety and a fawning trauma response (aka people pleaser). As a big feeler, I hardly related to her descriptions of a big feeler. But overall was a decent book, especially for christians who are new to therapeutic approaches (although she doesn’t name them as such). :)

[Brandy Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I needed at the exact time I needed it...

Thankful for this book to remind me that I can take all my big feels and place them in the loving hands of the One who was here as a human and knows what it's like to feel all the feels.

Thankful for the reminder that I don't have to be all the things to all the people when they have all the feels ... that instead I can point them to God.

This book was a breath of fresh air for me.

[Andrea Rolla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big feeler roll call…. Um me 🙋🏽‍♀️

As a mama who feels every stab of sorrow, every mountain top joy, and every boiling anger, this book helped me to see how God intimately walks with me through those moments.

I’m also raising two big feelers (mamas genes run strong) so this book gave great journal prompts for this mama to work through how I will navigate my girls emotions both in their current stage of life and in the future.

[Vivi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting take on feelings and how to understand them biblically...I don't know how helpful I find the classification into three different feelers...since most people I know are more of a blend between them, but I still found many points helpful and I would like to read this book again and take a little more time for it, since I rushed through it this time because of a reading challenge.

[Deena Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! I identified with the author within the first two paragraphs, and I loved everything about this book. As a person with all the feels all the time, this one was both entertaining and informative. Love the amount of Scripture packed in each chapter.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems like alot of open ended questions about feelings, like how to feel, dividing the world into reluctant feelers (solution finders) and stead feelers (peace keepers) with added bible versus periodically.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five things:
- Christian-based self-help
- Practical strategies from CBT
- Types of feelers
- Blend of personal and scriptural anecdotes
- HONEST self-help that acknowledges the difficulties in handling emotions

[Rachael Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have All the Feels about this book! Elizabeth is so warm and relatable! I love her biblical insight and wisdom. Everything she shared is easily applied to my own life. I can't recommend this book enough! As well as her other titles!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing really new but if you want to learn CBT, there are better books out there that are much more detailed and helpful. Otherwise, this really isn't all that helpful.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, has depth and makes you think but also resonates on a deep level. She includes anecdotes that are very relatable. Great read and highly recommend!

[Kristin]

Change “I can be happy when …” to “I can be happy even though…”

Change “what if…” to “Even if…”

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO MANY good things in this book!!!