Gem Fadling

In “Hold That Thought,” author Gem Fadling serves as a sort of spiritual director, taking us on a journey to discover our innermost thought patterns and emotions and to sort through the ones that are unhelpful.

The aim of the book is to help Christian women realize that they are more than their thoughts and feelings, to know the truth of God’s love, His promises and His presence with us, and learn to live in a way that is life-giving instead of life-draining and anxiety-producing.

The book’s chapters are:

1. You Are More Than Your Thoughts
2. Finding Your Voice
3. From Stressed Achiever to Living with Intention
4. From Positive Thinker to Growing in Hope
5. From Inner Critic to Gaining Fresh Perspective
6. From Anxious Controller to Enjoying Life’s Seasons
7. From Complaining Victim to Walking in Freedom
8. From Passive Spectator to Inspiring Through Presence
9. From Unsettled Heart to Being at Home
10. Engaging God’s Voice

I like how the author reminds us that these “voices” speaking to us—the unhelpful thoughts and thought patterns we have—can influence and even drive us. Furthermore, she shares that we should realize there is a reason these thoughts rise up within us, and give ourselves grace instead of shame because of them. We want to discover why we have such thoughts, choosing life-giving actions in both acknowledging them and learning from them with God’s help. In this way, we can no longer be hindered or held captive by them. Finally, she reminds us that our feelings, thoughts, and actions are connected and must work together.

The chapters that most resonated with me were Chapter 5 (“From Inner Critic to Gaining Fresh Perspective”) and Chapter 6 (“From Anxious Controller to Enjoying Life’s Seasons”). Chapter 9 (“From Unsettled Heart to Being at Home”) was also a beautiful reminder for me of a struggle I once faced.

In Chapter 5 on the inner critic, Gem shares that we need to be freed from tendencies such as when we “reduce God to a task, and we break Him down into subtasks so that we can measure ourselves and come up winners.”

I will admit I was hoping the book would be more Scripture-heavy since it is on the topic of our thought life. Scripture is definitely included and alluded to, but it didn’t seem quite as prominent throughout most of the book.

I also hoped to see more a mention of repentance for the sin of our unhelpful thoughts where that might be applicable. Yes, such thoughts do open our eyes to things that need attending to so we can deal with them, but at times I think it is necessary that they should also bring us to repentance before our loving Heavenly Father. In the godly sorrow we feel over them, how they’ve impacted our lives, and how God loves us still, I think healing can come at even greater levels.

In a perfect summary of the book Gem writes, “To think and to feel are both good and necessary, and we want to learn how to live healthy versions of ourselves in the midst of the ups and downs” and “The more honest and willing you are to look at your stuff, the more transformation is possible.”

I received an advanced reader copy of this book for free from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.… (mais)