Gary Zimak

First before the review: I know several conservative/fundamentalist Christians that would never pick up a book written by a Catholic. Let me begin by stating that Zimak is a charismatic Catholic, which balances the line between Protestant and Catholic.

Zimac gives a rundown of his relationship to anger and stress and then sets forth a template to deal with it according to the fruits of the Spirit, but not before first looking at how to begin the welcoming process of the Holy Spirit into our lives. Each chapter following a fruit of the Spirit: Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). After each chapter are reminder questions, responses, and prayer.

Gary is able to address with each Fruit the fine line between the chicken and the egg or as I would put it Grace and responsibility. Each of the fruits has some aspect in which we are responsible for our end to uphold and strive toward in our journey with God as well as an aspect in which only God can provide.

For the most part, the book deserves a four out of five-star rating; however, Gary addresses primarily the stressors of life and how bearing each fruit can prevent or even decay the imposed stressors of life. Where I decrease the rating is in the realm of anger. The book’s title is slightly misleading in that anger is not primarily addressed. Stress is a byproduct of what is addressed by living out the Fruits of the Spirit and in that realm, Gary Zinac does a marvelous job.

Recommended for Christians; people dealing with stress;

**This was a review copy given by NetGalley for the express purpose of an honest review.**… (mais)