Daniel Nehrbass

Nehrbass provides helpful relationship advice when it comes to feeling trapped or stuck by the actions or attitudes of others. Since it's unlikely that our actions can directly change another person's habits or perspective, we can be left with the idea that our decisions or actions are futile toward improving relational situations. Arguing this is not the case, Nehrbass first helps overcome unrealistic expectations concerning what we can do to influence others or change circumstances. He then offers nine possible actions we can take in any given relational quagmire. Each of these will produce some sort of result, at least providing an opportunity to avoid feeling powerless, and quite possibly improving the situation to some degree.

I appreciated Nehrbass' use of family and parenting illustrations, and the wisdom (and honesty) to repeatedly state that there is no magic bullet solution to relationship issues. And while any one of the nine actions listed may help in one situation, it may not be the best choice in another. The particular situation and people involved need to be carefully understood before implementing any action. This willingness to admit that context factors large in the application of principles is a breath of fresh air, when compared to some other one-size-fits-all Christian self-help books.

I would have liked to see more illustrations concerning work situations and not just domestic ones, but the principles should be relatively easy to reapply. Overall a helpful book, with plenty of wisdom from an author who is trained academically and in practice in the field of pastoral counseling.… (mais)