Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad

by John Eldredge

A REFRESHINGLY SIMPLE GUIDE TO RECOVER YOUR LIFE!

In Get Your Life Back, New York Times bestselling author John Eldredge provides a practical, simple, and refreshing guide to taking your life back.

By practicing a few wonder­fully simple practices—or what John calls “graces”—you can begin to recover your soul, disentangle from the tragedies of this broken world, and discover the restorative power of beauty.

Ask yourself:                 

Are you happy most of the time? Do you feel deeply loved?                                             Are you excited about your future?  How often do you feel lighthearted?

After reading this book you will… 

Learn how to insert the One Minute Pause into your day Begin practicing “benevolent detachment” and truly let it all go Offer kindness toward yourself in the choices you make Drink in the simple beauty available to you every day Take realistic steps to unplug from technology overload

These simple practices and others are ready for the taking. You don’t need to abandon your life to get it back. Begin restoring your life here and now. Your soul will thank you for it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Self Help, Faith, Spirituality, Christian Living, Audiobook

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 11, 2020

About the author

John Eldredge is an American author, counselor, and lecturer on Christianity. He is known for his best-selling book Wild at Heart.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 



This is one of those books that had parts that really resonated with me and that I got a lot out of, but also had moments I skimmed. Overall, I liked it and it’s definitely the kind of book I needed in 2020.

Audio book source: Libby (library borrow)
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: John Eldredge
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Non-fiction
Length: 6 hours and 18 minutes

[Sunshine Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Eldredge is my favorite author so I had to read his newest book "Get your life back"!! I believe this book is necessary for everyone, especially for right now! Eldredge gives practical and much-needed guidance on how to slow down your life, re-focus your priorities and appreciate the beauty around you while not being so caught up in the drama of life. I personally loved his chapter on Unplugging from social media (so true!) and being Kind to yourself (self care is key!). I think that in this World Gone Mad...we all need this extra advice to take on the One-minute pause and to transition each task instead of just jumping from one assignment to the next! Eldredge uses his own personal examples on what has worked for him as he juggles a business, a ministry, his writing career, and his family! He includes a "Give it a Try" challenge at the end of each chapter. He prays for his readers at the way end (nice touch!) I would definitely recommend this book - you will indeed 'Get your Life Back'!

[Abby Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer— I’d recommend this one! It’s a great reminder to slow down and center on Jesus moment by moment.

[Noel (noelreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My experiences with Eldredge books tend to be intense. I think he and I are kindred spirits. The way we relate to and experience God is very similar (though he is much further along and more full of wisdom than me). So when I read his books they affect me in a deep way. It’s good, but it’s also challenging. I have to be in the right head space to be able to handle reading them.

Anyway, this book was great. It’s about how our world today is wreaking havoc on our souls. The frenzied pace of life, the constant distractions with the internet and social media, it’s all causing us to feel unfocused and burned out and making it difficult to be still and find God (even though he’s always right here). He lays out some ways that we can bring some space into our days and our minds, and to give our souls room to breathe.

If you haven’t read any Eldredge yet I highly recommend it. Any one of his books, though my favorite of the few I’ve read is Waking the Dead. Also, worth noting, he often quotes and references awesome books and movies (Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Gladiator, The Matrix, etc). I really love that. ☺️😂

[Shelley Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get Your Life Back is a powerful, pertinent “must read” for anyone living in the modern, digital world.

We are all frenzied by incessant distractions, constant notifications, never-ending noise, tragic news and countless responsibilities. It’s no wonder we often feel harried and harassed, stretched so thin we lack empathy and equanimity. We are haggard, bombarded by too much information and not enough quiet; unable to distinguish God’s voice in our lives.

John Eldredge cuts to the heart of the matter, uncovering the reasons our souls are weary and our spirits burdened and offers practical solutions. With discernible clarity, insight, and understanding he gives ample ways to identify and change our frantic pace of life and reclaim our peace.

This book was exactly what I needed and is one I’ll read time and again. I took my time with it and savored each chapter, highlighting, notating, journaling and contemplating. The writing is relatable, easily understandable, with applicable anecdotes and content that is vital and relevant to all. I will definitely revisit and reference this book many times.

[Aaron Witsoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This resource will be a gem for me long after its release date. My wife and I have already incorporated some of the simple steps to take our soul back in this “busy season”. Easy to read as always with Eldredge, and highly recommended. Stimulating and inspiring, but kind and benevolent with an understanding of what we are faced with in this time of history.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this from a free little library and thought of this will be fun!
Didn't realize it was a very religious heavy thing. So this wasn't for me.

[Samantha Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book needs a new title. I was hesitant to read it, because it sounds self-help-y, but based on a recommendation and a glance at the table of contents, I decided to read it, and it was just what my soul needed.

It’s not a dense read, and nothing in it was a totally new concept. But at the same time, I really connected with the way Eldredge tells stories and points out problems in our world. It pushed me to consider the hold that the world has on my heart and how that prevents me from staying connected with God. It revealed to me places in my daily life I need to slow down, detach from hustle and from performance, and cultivate an awareness of God.

I would describe the aim of this book with a quote from the final pages: “What will you do, on a daily and weekly basis, to find God and receive more of him?”

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parts of this book really resonated with me. It helped explain what I've felt during different season's of life. I have implemented some of the practices he mentions. This is the first year in many years that I have not spent the early months of the year suffering from SAD. And it's not because winter in the north has been mind, it has been particularly harsh this year. I give credit for this to the one minute pause that Eldridge discusses and encourages everyone to do each day. I don't make time for it every day (it really is just a minute) but when I do, I just feel my body relax from head to toe. It really is wonderful and calming. I encourage anyone feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of life to make time to read this book.

[Sunny D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful read! I cannot emphasize enough how helpful and restful this was for me. A much needed, practical guide to listening to and caring for your soul in an age where we're expected to go through daily tasks and interactions with little to no transition or processing time. Please do your soul a kindness and pick up this book.

[Iamthird · Rating 4 out of 5]

pg 50 "Turn your phone off at 8:00pm. Give yourself some evening time for real things. Banish all technology from your bedroom."

"Don't check your phone as soon as you wake up in the morning. Give your soul mercy to wake up; enjoy a few peaceful moments."

"When your phone chirps or vibrates, don't react. Make it wait till you pick it up. In these small ways I'm making my phone a tool again, something that serves me instead of the other way around."

"Do real things. Chop vegetables, play cards, do a puzzle, go for a walk, learn an instrument."

"If you create a little bit of sacred space every day, God will meet you there. And you will begin to love it."

pg 55 "Treat people like you treat yourself."
"Jesus thus drives home healthy self-care as tied to loving others."
"The difficult truth we don't want to admit is this: the way you treat your own heart is the way you'll end up treating everyone else's."

"Over time our little frustrations begin to show themselves, and children - who are especially perceptive to approval and disapproval - can pick up on the signals. If you are a "neat-nick," I guarantee that you show more natural delight when your child straightens up their room to your standards that when they do a less than perfect job."

pg 56 "Most of the time we are completely unaware of how we treat our own heart."

"The father who doesn't allow himself his own emotions communicates so much to his children by that practice alone, and he further reinforces the lesson when he is visibly awkward and uncomfortable with the emotions of his child. He tries to hurry them through a "comforting process" I'm sorry, sweetheart. You'll feel better tomorrow." Or, How about we get some ice cream? He is thereby trying to rush the child through their emotions to a place of resolution, teaching them to be as abrupt with their own heart as he is with his."

"So the fact remains: the way you treat your heart is the way you'll end up treating everyone else's."

You are seeking more of God, and learning to care for your should (the vessel he fills). This right here is self-kindness, and it will spill over into kindness for those around you. I mentioned in the introduction the image of a fountain - gently overflowing with the waters of life, the soul that is receiving God in unceasing graces....God is gentle; kindness is gentle. It flows both into us and through us in gentle whispers."

pg 59 "We DO need more of God, much more. Little sips between long droughts will not sustain us. We need more of God in our bodies, our souls, our relationships, our work, everywhere in our lives. But when you live in a culture of the incessant upgrade of everything, the sensational, it gives the impression that if you're going to have a deeper, richer, amazing experience of God, it's going to have to come in some sensational way. I have some wonderful news for you: NOPE. Not even close. Life is built on the dailies. Consider love, friendship, and marriage.

Love, friendship, and marriage are not built on skydiving together, trips to Paris, kayaking the Amazon. They're not. Perhaps once in your life you might do something like that, but the fantastic is not your daily. Love, friendship, and marriage are nurtured in the context of simple things life coffee together, hanging out, getting a burrito, holding hands, taking a walk, doing the dishes, reading to one another, or just reading different things while you're together in the same room. Its the little things that build a beautiful life."

pg 61 "A beautiful picture of how God really does want to lead us into rest, beauty, and restoration. Kindness means not expecting perfection in these practices, not requiring yourself to feel anything, being gracious about your heart's slow journey toward God."

pg 81 "The rescue is always close at hand. The Spirit of God still hovers over creation; nature is ever renewed with "the dearest freshness." There's nothing better for a fried soul than to get in the woods or walk in the park. Lie on your back in the grass and watch the clouds go by. Sit on the beach and watch the breakers."

pg 94 "More of God comes to us as we love God. The more that we love God, the more we are able to experience him. Part of this has to do with the nature of God, and part of it has to do with our own human nature. You understand from your own relationships, your story of love, that you don't give your heart away to just anyone. You don't give access to the deeper places in your soul to just any idle acquaintance - certainly not to someone who is at the same time keeping themselves distant from you. We know from our own experiences that when someone loves us, we are much more ready to make ourselves available to them. What we keep forgetting is that God feels the same way."

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

"The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me." Psalm 91:14

pg 97 "Start with something you love. The laughter of your child. Sunlight on the ocean. A favorite song, music itself. Perhaps a photo. A favorite spot - your garden, the cliffs at the sea, the family cabin. Someone dear to you. We begin with the things we love; this is the way back, the path home. For we don't always draw the connection - God made these specifically for you, and he gave you the heart to love them. You'll be out for a bike ride in the very early morning, cool breeze in your face, all the sweet, fresh aromas it brings, the exhilaration of speed, and your heart spontaneously sings, I love this! The next step is to say, so does God. He made this moment; he made these things. He is the creator of everything I love. You heart will naturally respond by opening toward him.

Its like throwing your faith a lifeline; Every wonderful thing in your life is a gift from God, an expression of his heart toward you. All your precious memories, each and every one - your eighth birthday, when you got that little red bike that awakened your love of riding, which carried right into your adult life. That perfect powder day, when you and your fiancé skied run after run, then warmed up by the fire in the lodge. The vacation you still think about, how fun it was, how carefree you felt. Your wedding reception; the dancing, the inextinguishable joy of it all. Every moment you have ever been happy, thrilled, comforted, hopeful . . . that was God loving you. Such gifts come from no other source. "You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing . . . Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father" Psalm 145:16, James 1:17


pg 101 "God is the creator of everything I love." Just repeat that to yourself, "God is the creator of everything I love." Reminding yourself that God is the one who brought into existence the very things you love is a wonderful reminder to your soul of the intimacy between God's heart and yours. You love the same things! did you know that? Close friends love the same things; lovers love the same things. Go on and think of something else that delights your heart - laughter, beauty, your favorite things in nature. a childhood fairytale. Beginning with the things we love is the way back toward God. As you go through your normal day, practice saying "I love you" to God. Not once, but repeating it as you turn your heart toward him. Saying "I love you" - either out loud or quietly in the sanctuary. of our inner life - causes our heart to follow; our being begins to enter into the act of loving. We turn our thoughts toward him - our Father, or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. We turn toward him in the pauses of our day. In loving him, we are able to receive him. As we receive him, we realize again how wonderful he truly is. Our heart enlarges for him, our union is strengthened, and we can receive more of him."

pg 119 "Envy cannot bear to admire or respect. It cannot bear to be grateful," wrote Sayers. So a wonderful way to thwart the Self is to ADMIRE and BE GRATEFUL. Pray for people who are in a better situation than you are, who are more gifted than you are, or who currently have wonderful circumstances coming their way. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Pray for someone else's promotion, someone else's pregnancy, someone else's healing. That crucifies envy."

"Make no room for offense. . . . Whenever, wherever you see offense cropping up, crucify it - give it no hold. Now, I understand it may be utterly justified. People do offensive things; all those out there are offensive. .... Offense has no good ending."

CULTIVATE ADMIRATION!!!

I would rather have so much more of God than coddle with little tyrant of Self. And as soon as I crucify the Self, God is right there, and now there's so much more room in me for Him to fill."

By the way, this is why the Christian life only works through total abandonment. You have to be all in. If we hold anything back , retain some part of our lives for ourselves, large or small, the Self will rule there and continually set itself against God in us. A house divided cannot stand. Most disappointing Christian experiences can be explained by the honest admission that they weren't abandoned to God. There's no other way to follow Christ; with utter, brilliant clarity he said it this way: "whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it." Luke 17:33

Turn over the Self Life every morning. Deny it, abandon it, ignore it. Let God be your God; let Jesus be your operational Lord. Take up your cross daily. It's an utter relief. Free yourself from the culture of comparison, envy, and the offended Self by unplugging . . . pray for others people's success - this really puts down the Self-Life in us. Be present with others; let the focus remain on them until they ask about you. Even if they never do.

[Carissa-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Good information that was both encouraging and challenging. The audiobook was a nice way to take it in as it was fairly conversational, it was read by author, and had bonus content.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just what I needed to read, a blessed reminder of the life we can have in Him! Feeling lost, blah or in a daze? This read is a great place to come and pause and reflect on everything God has for you if you just unite with Him!

[Michael Cuevas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some people really seem to resonate with Eldredge, and that's great.. but for me, this would be a skip.

Throughout the entire book his tone and the spiritual language used felt incredibly performative. The material was scattered, he mentioned running behind on his publishing deadlines, and the audiobook had "bonus content for the listener" .. all of which gave the impression that this book was poorly planned from the start, rushed, and a bit of a money grab.

There were a few fresh ideas that made me stop and think.. there were also a few questionable conclusions that made me stop and think. But for the most part, this book felt very empty and very fluffy.

To summarize the book in one sentence: in order to rejuvenate the spirit, try to implement daily practices of pausing, getting off technology, and being present in nature.

[Gavin Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important book—practices to help in disentangling your soul from the world and it’s frenzied pressures, and reorienting it towards union with God.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, if you got nothing else from the author the 1-minute pause would be a worthwhile takeaway from the advice presented by Eldredge. There is a practical side to his illustrations as he tries to layout an easy and obtainable plan to declutter your life and bring you back to oneness with God (Jesus is the vine and we are the branches). As you can guess far easier said than done. Certainly, taking a break from social media and allowing yourself room to enjoy the "beauty" of the world may pay greater dividends than one can imagine. I am not much into written prayers but the two-page, multi-paragraph prayer at the end of the book is a keeper.

[Brian Benner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of John Eldredge and have read a few of his books in the past. This book looks at our lives and all of the forces that are pressing down on us. Social media, cell phones, politics, etc and reminds us that we don’t have to be controlled by them. That we can actually disconnect and will be ok. He gives some practical suggestions and I really like the “One Minute Pause” and getting outside more and letting nature heal you. Did you know the average person spends 93% of their lives indoors? Get me out of here! Anyways, this book is practical and it spoke to me. It is definitely a Christian book but applies to everyone. Maybe in 2021 I can slowly get my life back on my terms instead of being held hostage by all the world throws at us.
Btw - Happy New Years my three faithful followers. You all inspire me to do more reading and less streaming.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read for anyone feeling overwhelmed with the daily "grind" and inundation of messages, texts, emails, pings and dings... you get it. We all feel that burnout. This book helps us to pause and reconnect with reality, with God. Eldredge writes simply and relatably.

Highly recommend.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent resource this book was, giving words to thoughts and feelings I've been having such as soul restoration. Then he went on to talk about what causes that trauma and then provided practical steps to move toward healing, all with the ultimate goal of union with God.

[Molly Grimmius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister read.
Fantastic read with tremendous conversation about slowing down our souls as they aren’t meant to go at this pace of how we live life. It is necessary to slow down if we want to have unity with God and hear his voice. The book offers beautiful and simple ways to slow down our soul.

Want to re read for sure!

[Emma Tourtelotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.1/5

seriously my favorite book i’ve read this year probably.
i talk to everyone about this book.
will be re-reading for sure.
love this guy

[Allison TeVelde · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book every soul needs.

[Vio Stoian · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You can’t give God your attention when your attention is constantly targeted and taken captive.”

Reading this book was a really great reminder of what is stopping me from desiring God more. It was like a reboot to my soul, mind and priorities. What a blessing!
Thank you!

[Kelli V Spann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes Yes & Yes. Our bodies and minds do not come with user manuals. We instinctively put in nourishment, and we rest. But, do we truly do the mental self-care that is needed, especially in the harried world we live in? With mental health crises on the rise, TRUST, without some conscious attention given to this, on a singular bases, you Will.Not.Thrive. Please, don’t live a life going from crises to crises, without a level of self care, of self awareness, of mental detox practiced on a daily bases. A dry well does not have anything to draw on. This book will give you real tasks to do, in order to see that your well never runs dry.

[Morgan Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best nonfiction book I’ve read this year, maybe ever. I needed this so bad. So refreshing, so realistic, so influential. I have been doing, and will continue to do, many of these practices.. probably for forever.

[Erin Laramore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a poignant and necessary read for our time! I didn't know what to expect when I picked this one up, but I've loved everything John Eldredge has written, so I didn't even note what it was about. This is such a needed read. The author has looked at the busy, busy - rush, rush world that we live in - where we're always required to be available for our jobs, where social media brings out the worst in us, and where the tragedies that happen every day invade our world at the moment they happen thanks to the internet/media. And how all of this frazzled state of living has completely drained our souls and left us yearning. Mr. Eldredge realistically paints a picture of where we are and gives practical steps for obtaining the needed rest for our souls - emptying them of the busy-ness, and filling them with God instead. In giving up the things that bring us temporary relief and instead gaining restoration. I actually found myself letting out the deep sigh as I read. If you have ever felt frazzled or completely drained, if you find yourself angry for no good reason, I would recommend this book. If you're just trying to figure out how to get rid of some of the things bogging down your soul, I recommend this book. Definitely a 5 star read!

Special thanks for the publisher and NetGalley for an ecopy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

[Rayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We talk about unplugging, but we’re enchanted—by the endless social media circus of love and hatred, the vapid, alarming, sensational, and unforgivable. We’re snagged by every new notification. And while we’ve always had our individual struggles and heartbreaks to deal with, now we have the tragedies of the entire world delivered to us hourly on our mobile devices. This is all very hard on the soul. Traumatizing, in fact.”

I savored this book and read it chapter by chapter. At first I should’ve thought I should wait until a busier time, but it was just when I needed to live with intention into the madness this world will be bringing me once people can leave their home.

Goes great as a companion to the Pause app which is offered for free—a way to regularly practice the things recommended in the book for caring for your soul.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have ambivalent feelings about this book. On the surface these ideas are good, but as a Christian who believes in the power of the Bible, I was uncomfortable with some of the ideas being a little bit "off".

An example is to say something like "God, I want more of You, give me more of You." While I know what the author is going for, it makes me uncomfortable because if I have the Holy Spirit living in me, I have all of God. 1 Peter teaches that we "have all things pertaining to life and godliness".
Therefore, I don't need more of God -- I need to believe and act on what I already have -- trusting that what He says is true.

All in all, Christians would be better off doing some deeper book by book studies of the New Testament.

[Mady Charleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I feel like it’s one of those “always want to be rereading.” John Eldridge talked about different practices that bring you back to the presence of God and the importance of simplifying your life to receive more of Him. I really enjoyed the chapter on transitions and how we can view these periods of time as a gift from the Lord to just come back to Him. That part was super helpful for me given the season of life that I am in.

[N · Rating 1 out of 5]

Have enjoyed a ton until statement we have to love God more and it is our actions that gain his love. That God's love literally conditional. Dangerous

Have enjoyed a ton until statement we have to love God more and it is our actions that gain his love. That God's love literally conditional. Dangerous