The Thing Beneath the Thing: What's Hidden Inside

by Steve Carter

The Thing Beneath the Thing helps readers to identify and then heal from past wounds that have kept them from reaching their full potential and the life of freedom that Jesus has promised every believer.

Every driver knows the importance of avoiding potholes when navigating a route. Besides the uncomfortable bump, they can create permanent damage to vehicles. And left untended, potholes can evolve into sinkholes that endanger entire roadway systems.  

The same is true of our lives. We all have potholes that have been formed by pain, trauma, or choices that we’ve made. What do we do? Usually we find a quick fix, filling the hole with activities and even addictions disguised as culturally acceptable life choices. But before long, the hole is back, waiting to catch us off-guard, which in the end creates even more permanent damage. 

In The Thing Beneath the Thing, former Willow Creek Community Church lead teaching pastor Steve Carter asks the simple question, “How is life working for you?” He knows that potholes exist and that the longer we live disconnected from answering this question, the more we will fill those holes with harmful choices. The solution? Allow God to fill them with His grace and love so that we can discover the beauty of grace, peace, and wholeness He has for us.

The process lies in discovering our


triggers: the setup that sets us off
hideouts: where we go to escape the pain of our story
insecurities: the false stories we create about ourselves
narratives: the false stories we create about others
grace: the place where we discover how to become whole, holy, and spiritually healthy
Journey with a seasoned fellow traveler who has learned how to ask key questions that help unlock the places where we’ve buried things. Then dig deep, invite healing, and learn new ways to operate so that we may begin to experience the life of freedom Jesus has promised us.

Genres: Christian, Self Help, Nonfiction, Faith, Spirituality, Religion, Christianity

224 pages, Hardcover

Published August 10, 2021

Reviews

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
This was a pretty good book. Definitely had a lot of good info in it, but it didn’t really go into a lot of things in depth, which is what I was expecting a bit more of. It felt spread too thin with all the subtopics covered sometimes. But still, it has good benefits and it’s still a pretty good read.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I want to recommend this book to lots of people. While occasionally preachy, the author is also real and humble about his own shortcomings. This book brings together lots of concepts I’ve been learning (theological and emotional health) in the last couple years. In sum, we react and respond to triggers and life events based not on what we can see on the surface, but because of (life events, unhealed trauma, old habits) beneath the surface). God desires healing and wholeness and integration for us, but we often default to other commanders. How can we get to the root of our stuff so we can live our stated values and priorities?

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Steve Carter encourages his readers to consider the deeper reasons behind why they do what they do. As he points out in the opening chapter, no one wakes up one day and decides to wreck their lives. When people sabotage themselves, ruin relationships, or lose everything they've built in the pursuit of secret sins, people around them find their behavior baffling, but there is always some deeper pattern or underlying emotional issue driving the implosion. Steve Carter urges his readers to consider the deeper struggles or traumas behind their behaviors, so that they can work through profound, soul-deep problems with God instead of remaining oblivious to their vulnerability or only treating symptoms.

This book provides deep insight into universal human struggles and how God meets us with grace in the midst of our pain. Carter writes about a range of different topics with sensitivity throughout this book, addressing trauma-related issues from a pastoral perspective. He shares helpful insights into how past traumas trigger us in seemingly unrelated situations, and he encourages us to identify the ways that we withdraw and hide in response to these experiences. He describes different types of responses, speaking to readers of all different personality types and life backgrounds, and digs into some of the deeper identity and security struggles behind how people respond to their problems.

Carter shares lots of personal stories, and he also narrates powerful stories the Bible, showing how we can see these universal issues and God's wisdom for them in Scripture. He writes in a way that is accessible to both believers and seekers, and the writing style is very engaging and easy to read. Someone who feels overwhelmed by academic and lengthy books about trauma may find The Thing Beneath the Thing especially helpful, since Carter expresses key concepts in layman's terms to help readers see how their deep hurts fuel their dysfunctional choices or responses in conflict situations. Carter doesn't promise quick fixes or promote a deterministic view of human behavior, but he helps readers understand how the past influences the present, and shares insight into how God can help them break free.

In the final section of the book, he writes about the meaning of grace, how God can transform our lives, and how we can live according to our forgiveness in Christ, instead of trying to achieve wholeness through our own striving. His writing can encourage and help people in lots of different life situations and stages, because he gets to the heart of the issue and applies to the gospel to our deepest insecurities and longings for wholeness. This book is full of provocative reflection questions, spiritual wisdom, and practical encouragement, and can be a great help to many people.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Jazz Brewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - it had some good stuff in it but not amazing

[Ava Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend.
Not a light read, but so worthwhile. Like having a personal counselor asking the hard questions packaged between the book covers.

[Nancy DeValve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why do I do what I do? Or why do I do what I don't want to do? Steve Carter gives encouraging, thoughtful, and helpful ways to examine our deeper motives, triggers, and responses. The book is very readable, but it's wise to read this book meditatively.

[Jason Frasca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I just had the privilege of finishing this book. I highly recommend this refreshing read. The author does a great job through out sharing his own struggles and vulnerabilities, allowing the reader to quickly connect with his anecdotes. He focuses on how our attitudes and actions typically represent more than meets the eye; how triggers develop for us based off our experiences, and can lead to reflexed responses. How God wants us to learn more about ourselves and be comfortable in our on skin, as He created us, to stop wearing masks and pretending to be what we are not

"Sometimes, we have to go through the painful thing in order to get to the other side. In order to live. In order to thrive."

The author continuously shows how our experiences, especially the painful ones, serve a purpose as lessons and experiences to share with others, having peace and enjoying the journey.

I highly recommend all read this, a great blend of describing basics of psychology, with applications to spirituality and Christianity, focusing on who we are and why we do what we do. Truly an inspiring and motivating read!

This can often be a somber and serious too, but the author perfects placing appropriate jokes and bits of his personality throughout to keep the reader interested, and again, to prove the author is human and experienced the same struggles.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for my free copy. The comments above are mine without influence.

[Carol Sente · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I’ve missed author Steve Carter’s voice and messages! A former senior pastor (and one of my all-time favorites) at Willow Creek, Steve’s style of communicating is inspiring. He reads his Audible version of the book, which is the way to hear this book. He covers an array of topics. Some I particularly enjoyed are: a list of escape mechanisms we use to avoid discomfort or feel better about our circumstances, and a list of 5 masks people wear - Perfector, Pleaser, Performer, Power, Pretender. He addresses our current political and racial divide in a manner that is candid and yet balanced. As a Pastor, Steve will always refer to Jesus and scripture, so if that is not your thing, I get it, but there is so much wisdom delivered in a passionate, humorous and engaging style, I recommend you give it a try.

[Holly Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply insightful look into our own personal stumbling blocks in our paths to wholeness in Christ. What triggers us and causes these obstacles in our sanctification? Straightforward and easy to read. Definitely recommend in trying to understand the heart and behavior behind the actions. #thethingbeneaththething #netgalley #stevecarter

[Susan Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

In his book, The Thing Beneath the Thing, Steve Carter looks at why we sometimes overreact to certain people or events and how this may be connected to past hurts.

Carter encourages readers to become curious about our overreactions particularly when there are patterns of behaviour that aren’t logical. If we can find the connection to past incidents which have caused us pain then we can find God’s healing and the freedom to respond in healthier ways.

While Carter makes some good points, I found the lack of examples and illustrations made it difficult to identify these issues in my own life. On a couple of occasions, Carter did tell a personal story but this wasn’t enough for me to relate to the practical implications of his message.

Carter was a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Church during Bill Hybels’ time. He resigned in August 2018. He may have felt he couldn’t use examples from his time at Willow as it would implicate other staff from that era. At times, I felt Carter was trying to answer the question, how can a committed Christian behave sinfully over a long period without seeking help? Not that he ever specifically said this, but I imagine it was a question he struggled with and it would make sense for a book like this to come out of that experience.

The book was well-written and easy to read. One thought I found helpful, particularly when he mentioned the difficult season he had been through, was that everything that comes across our paths should be welcomed as an opportunity for spiritual growth since God only has good intentions towards us. Carter did a good job of pointing people to God’s all-sufficient healing grace regardless of our past sinfulness.

Overall a good premise and while not fully fleshed out, it was still a worthwhile read.

[wellreadtraveler · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Welcome to the thing about the thing. Welcome to the endless discovery of what’s really going on.”
Have you ever over reacted to something minimal because your really upset about something else? Maybe your arguing with your spouse and then the cashier charged you wrong and you lose your s**t? We are all guilty of this type of reaction. I always like to say “the punishment doesn’t fit the crime”
In The Thing About the Thing Steve Carter lays out some scenarios and personal stories to help the reader understand his reaction and how he could’ve done better. Now he didn’t become knowledgeable or tolerant overnight, he had people in his inner circle who were able to look at the situation and help him put things into perspective. Man I wish we all had a little voice that could tell us to calm down, take a breath, and remember it’s not this we’re angry at, it’s the thing beneath the thing.
As a society we can never lean enough about how to be kind. We all need lessons and reminders of how a little tweak in our attitude can make a huge difference. Sometimes you need to get down to the nitty gritty of what’s really going on in order to release some anger and built up animosity. I really enjoyed this book and finished feeling inspired to be better and try harder, and that’s all anyone can do.

[Casey Nosrac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace, community, understanding the why behind the reasons we do things that we do and how we react to them. This book is a wonderful experience in an adventure into your own heart and mind. A deep and thoughtful journey down the road of your life and an in-depth examination of the potholes along the way that can easily detour you in a disastrous direction if left uncorrected.
This book is eye-opening and well-written, eliciting laugh out loud moments and some that make you go "whoa." Steve Carter has put into words what everyone who has ever struggled with receiving Grace or felt like they have veered off of the path because of a few bad potholes that festered into something worse. I cannot praise Steve or this book highly enough to really give it justice, only that I felt so deeply connected to the messages and wisdom within to write this review. The Think Beneath the Thing is truly an outstanding read that is thought provoking and reader friendly.
I also very highly recommend the audio version, which I used to first "read" the book while I drive. Steve reads it himself, which adds tremendously to the words because he reads it to you the way he meant it to be read, lending powerful emphasis where it counts and driving home the point with ease.

[Kelly Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book after listening to a podcast in which Annie F. Downs interviewed the author, Steve Carter. If you’re interested, you can listen HERE. I immediately ordered the book because the concept was fascinating to me. What is the thing beneath the thing? Our natural instinct in life is to focus on the things that frustrate, hurt, or anger us. It is much easier to blame another person or situation than to look beneath the surface for what is really going on. But what might happen if we are willing to dig deeper? Isn’t there always a “thing beneath the thing” that triggers us? What if we were willing to figure out what that thing is and why we react to it the way we do? We might just pave the way for healing, opening the door to so much more that God desires for us.

Carter does an excellent job walking his readers through this process. The content is easy to understand without being too shallow. At the end of each chapter, there are “Dig A Little Deeper” exercises to help the readers apply the principles. And Carter uses Scripture throughout to both encourage and convict his readers as they journey through the process of finding the thing beneath the thing in their own lives. This one is definitely worth a read.

[Kjell Nygren · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average journey of self-centered reflection

I enjoyed and found this book insightful for the most part. However, it has the hallmarks of modern egocentric Christian self-help with a sprinkle of social justice.

The book started to lose me when referring to the pandemic and social issues of 2020 with the same conviction conveyed by CNN and politicians. Rather than focusing on the effects of those things, the author focused on the more polarizing and divisive parts that many now see as dubious information.

As a result, I can’t recommend the book unless you agree a certain political persuasion or have a strong ability to set aside your views to glean nuggets of insight. My opinion is that none of those things should have held weight in a book of spiritual significance like this hoped to be.

[Patti Haney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am one of many who got to know Steve at Willow Creek, and have missed his presence since his departure - his light, his teaching, his way of showing up as one of us. Steve is self-reflective and honest. His ideas are “simple,” yet thought provoking. His voice, reading his own story, both compelling and calming. The day after beginning this book, I was triggered by something my husband did. Pretty quickly, I was able to get curious. What was it, really, that caused my reaction? What was “the thing beneath the thing?” Lo and behold, there it was. By identifying “the thing,” I was able to work through it with my husband, without assigning responsibility for my feelings to him. Read it, then read it again. Share it with a small group. Write about what comes up. That’s what I’m doing.

[Ryan George · Rating 2 out of 5]

I connected early with Steve Carter’s opening chapters and then fell disappointed with the barely-connected Sunday school answers of the rest of the book. I won’t soon forget the pothole / sinkhole object lesson, though, and I appreciated some of the other analogies and anecdotes Carter leveraged. I will also remember how oddly Carter narrated the audiobook—like someone reading a book aloud and for the first time with odd emphases, misplaced pauses, and the ardent whisper folks use when reading picture books to children at bedtime. I commiserated with Carter in this, though, when I tried to narrate my own audiobook a couple of weeks later.

[Isaac Denton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting and different than I imagined. Was helpful, particularly if you like a good acronym. The title is an acronym for Trigger, Hideouts, Insecurities, Narratives, and Grace. Steve shares a number of personal stories and makes things very readable. But knowing he’s had a bit of a tough road as well I thought maybe he would go in some different directions than he did. He also took time in the middle to address racial tension related to the narratives we tell ourselves. So altogether a good read just not quite what I expected.

[Sammie Parlier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical and helpful for doing deep story work in order to prevent you from hurting yourself and others on a soul level! Has really good discussion questions for a book club and good takeaways to help you evaluate where you are in the healing journey.

Honestly, a great read for anyone — even if you haven’t experienced capital “T” trauma! The little things in life pile up in our soil and affect us more than we realize.

“Setbacks aren’t failures as much as a clue that you need to dig deeper.” - page 142

[Jodie Pine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be so refreshing, written from a pastor's heart...specifically from the lead teaching pastor who chose the path of integrity and left Willow Creek church instead of endorsing the scandal cover-up of Bill Hybels' abuse. While he addresses his experience at Willow Creek briefly, the book is much more about living wholeheartedly by bringing what's hidden in our inner lives into the light of grace.

One of his chapter end questions:
"What could your life look like if it were truly anchored in Jesus and you had nothing to prove, nothing to lose, and nothing to hide?"

[Chelsea Tademy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this book based on the description on the back/blurb when I went to purchase. The first half had some good nuggets here and there, but then I got completely lost. The stories the author shared would encourage the point he was trying to make, but none of the points seemed to connect together. I put this one down for a few weeks and then ended up skimming the last few chapters so I could finish it up.

[Saundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The personal stories and perspectives Steve Carter shares are relatable and exude authenticity and tremendous wisdom. The search in understanding ourselves better is on-going, especially when we actively seek to grow not only as a human being but from a spiritual standpoint as well. Highly recommend “The Thing Beneath the Thing” to help give perspective and understanding to why we do the things we do.

[Brandon Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will help you get to the heart of the issue that continues to trip you up. If you want to invite Jesus to heal every part of you, the deepest parts of you, this book will walk you through doing so. Highly recommend it. Thank you, Steve, for being faithful in living this message and writing it for us to glean from.

[Jake Saenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Carter does a phenomenal job on helping you get insight into why you do what you do. This book is not only great to understand how to have a deeper walk but also encourages you to dive deeper into who you are as a person. If you’ve heard Steve preach before you know that he is a gifted communicator and he does the same on the pages in this book!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

After just a few pages I knew this book would impact my life. I knew immediately that I would re-read this book probably multiple times (and I never re-read!). This first round was just to get the basics but I’ve already got a plan to re-read it as a deep dive - to sit with all the questions, to dig in myself for answers and to pray for wisdom through all that it’s shown me.

[Becky Giovagnoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a simple, yet weirdly profound book. While at times the examples he gave or stories he told were elementary, the basic concept that there is always something more underneath every reaction you have or behavior you exhibit or thought you think, is potentially life-changing. Understanding true reality - the thing beneath the thing - is crucial for true self-awareness and heart change.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're struggling or just stuck where you are and want to improve your life, this book does a great job of helping you break it down without being preachy. Steve Carter is uplifting, hopeful and gives you a better understanding about the thing beneath the thing....something we all need to examine in our lives.

[Philip Copeland · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am so glad that this book is over; I could barely abide another word by Steve Carter. He speaks in an overly-emotional way that completely drives me crazy. There is little in this book that is compelling, but some of it is. Instead of listening closely, however, I focused on his terrible and over-wrought interpretation of every word and phrase.

Not recommended.

[Malia White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely would give this a 3.5 if I could. Some of this book was so great and gave me a lot to think about/reflect on/and work on in my life. At the same time, it was swimming in metaphors and mixing metaphors every few pages it was hard to keep it all straight. Some gimmicky sermon vibes at times.

[Lacie Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book! i don’t always enjoy leadership books, but this one took such a unique perspective! it wasn’t just the “dos and don’ts” of leadership, but an encouragement to start the long, grueling process of finding your triggers, fears, and bumps in your life and leadership. once you find the “thing beneath the thing” you can start to refine and reshape the things that will help you grow.

[Taylor Mayfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve is an amazing pastor and speaker who visits Foundations Church a few times a year! I love how he speaks so I had to read this book. This book is absolutely incredible and I highly recommend to anyone who is struggling with anxiety, depression, etc. 10/10 for me!