Flourish: Discover the Daily Joy of Abundant, Vibrant Living

by Catherine Hart Weber

Many Christian women feel like they are languishing rather than flourishing. They face days full of busyness and stress that can lead to anxiety and depression. Dr. Catherine Hart Weber integrates the best in positive psychology with biblical wisdom to show readers how to develop healthy mental states. She demonstrates that cultivating positive emotions like joy, gratitude, and hope will foster spiritual growth, a deeper intimacy with God, and strong relationships. Not only will these traits of the Spirit lead to a more fulfilling and abundant life, but they will help readers cope with daily pressures. Flourish shows how women can partner with God to nurture healthy emotions and virtues to live life at its best.

299 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Karen Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book. So inspiring and helpful.

[Dana Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flourish is packed full of help and support. The author touches on many areas of life that may be holding us back from a spiritually and emotionally healthy life. [return][return]Her focus on Scripture and on one's relationship with God is at the centre of her work and she uses her expertise in psychology to explain Biblical concepts in a practical way. [return][return]Science is the study of what exists in the physical world and most of psychology is the study of the human brain/mind. Some branches of the Church are skeptical of science and psychology. But at its simplest, Christians believe God created everything that is, including the brain/mind. Science, therefore, is the study of what God created and psychology is the study of the brain/mind God created and interacts with in each human being.[return][return]The more Christians conquer stereotpyes against science and psychology in the Church, the more they will appreciate the intricacies of how God made us. The more Christians intelligently understand why human beings operate the way we do, the more they'll benefit. [return][return]An example from Flourish is learning the detailed ways that our upbringing might affect our relationship with God and with other people. I've seen this in friends who suffered severe spiritual and physical abuse as children, who struggled into adulthood to understand their own turbulent spiritual life and how to work through the distorted views they were given about relating with others.[return][return]As a student of science, and of psychology specifically, I can't say how valuable it is to have the latest psychological research explained from a faith perspective. So much of what psychology research has to offer people of faith only confirms the truths taught in Scripture. [return][return]The only criticism I have, which is small, is that the tone of the book could be just a little more conversational. Parts of it, including explanations of concepts and transitions between subjects, read just a little bit like a textbook than a conversation between author and reader. But this only pops up in sections, whereas other sections sound very conversational and thought-provoking.[return][return]It's a great book and I've only really begun to digest everything in it. I'll be reading it again![return][return]Disclosure: I received a free copy of Flourish from Bethany House.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an easy book to read; clinical, has some good points when you can finally get to them, but not a book I would recommend for anyone truly wanting to live in God’s steps.

I thought this would be a good read to encourage someone who may sometimes grow weary and lack enthusiasm in life, but I found it very hard to get interested in this book. Catherine Weber came across in a clinical manner much of the time, which made parts of the book rather boring and hard to get through. Also, I was disappointed in how much she stressed the finding of joy to be so much work. Missing was the ingredient of the fact that a Christian should be walking in the spirit and less in the soul – meaning letting God lead rather than focusing on what “I” can do. Even though she does mention living in the Spirit, she then makes it dependent upon human effort. Although she made good points, she kept moving away from our Source of joy, and I was not impressed with the frequent name dropping and her repetitive use of the word languish. Even though it was not all disappointing, I would not urge anyone to purchase this book as I’m sure there are more Christian focused volumes out there than this one, and ones that are easier to read.