Tracing the Thread: Examining the Story of Self for Lasting Change

by Christy Rood

Why do we do what we do? From the mundane to the consequential, every thought, action, and reaction begins with motivation. We hear it often: If we want to change the what, we have to change the why. How is this possible? Some have suggested changing desires, since our ultimate desire always wins out. Others say it is a worship issue, and that the way to change involves crushing idols. I believe it goes further down than desires and idols. I believe the roots of human behavior are sunk deep into our identity—what we believe to be true about ourselves.

Identity is a hot topic these days, and many books have been written on it from a Christian perspective. However, virtually all of them begin in the present and move to the future. Almost none address the earliest chapters of your story where your identity took root. If much of the story you are writing is shaped by the story that was written for you, it makes sense to revisit your past in order to change unhelpful patterns of thought and behavior.

Tracing the Thread: Examining the Story of Self for Lasting Change will guide you back to the three chapters in your story which had the greatest bearing on identity formation – the love you received, the tribes you belonged to, and the voices you listened to – and help you uncover foundational errors in your identity beliefs. You’ll then be supplied with ample evidence of God’s love, his tribes, and his voice which can help re-form your beliefs and align them with Divine truth.

I pray this book will leave you more confident in God’s unwavering love, able to engage in tribes without depending on them for self worth, and tuned into the voice of the Father above all the voices in our noisy world.

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2020

About the author

Christy Rood spent fifteen years in Seattle ministering alongside her husband at a church plant there. She’s a recent transplant to the Raleigh, NC suburbs and is still adjusting to seeing the sun more than a quarter of the year. When she is not writing, she is busy with two full-time jobs: one teaching public elementary school music, and one trying to keep up with schedules and laundry for her four kids.

Reviews

[Jo ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracing the Thread: Examining the Story of Self for Lasting Change
by Christy Rood


Thanks to @christyjrood for the opportunity to read #tracingthethread early! Happy Pub Day! *This book was made available for free in exchange for an honest review.*  (Although I already ordered a print copy!)


Do you ever read a book and just say "YES!  THIS!"?   Having read through many books Christian and secular surrounding the idea of identity - Christy Rood brings a breath of fresh air to this subject matter -  and to me that fresh air is clarity and tools to really explore who we are and who we were meant to be.


Synopsis:
"Tracing the Thread: Examining the Story of Self for Lasting Change will guide you back to the three chapters in your story which had the greatest bearing on identity formation—the love you received, the tribes you belonged to, and the voices you listened to—and help you uncover foundational errors in your identity beliefs. You’ll then be supplied with ample evidence of God’s love, his tribes, and his voice which can help re-form your beliefs and align them with Divine truth."


I found that in this current climate many people are questioning what makes up their identity.   We are in a season where many have been stripped of things they once held closely as their identity.  Jobs have been lost,  people have been distanced to 2D on a computer screen,  and it is far easier to ignore truth if you just hide under your covers.   The publishers and author of this book had no idea this book would land NOW during this season -  but it has and I truly think it is a brilliant read in general, but especially right now.  

Christy Rood's writing style is relatable, providing plenty of depth and research without overwhelming the reader.   To skip this book - you'll be missing out. Take the time to read this and understand the truth about your identity because as Rood states in Chapter 9:  "Our identity is what we believe to be true about ourselves.  It informs our emotions and motivates our actions."   Let's make sure that what we believe IS true.


#TracingtheThread #gcdiscipleship

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful and thought-provoking look at identity - how it is formed, and what we can do about it. Easily-relatable and deeply compassionate, the book leads us along the process of picking through the influences that define us to isolate the voices in our head that negate truth. This book doesn't claim to have all the answers, but it exposes where the fractures in our identity start and how to apply the love of God to heal those wounds. The truth of this message resonates deeply, is shared through engaging life experience, and is handled with humor and grace. Rood is surprisingly accessible and humorous, given the weight of the subject. Highly recommend.

[Dave Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great book written by my friend Christy Rood. She gathers together information from anthropology, psychology, and sociology with a foundation in theology to discuss the important topic of identity. Highly recommended.