The Art of Losing Yourself – A Book Club Chat and Reflective Discussion (4/4)

The Art of Losing Yourself – A Weekly Online Book Club Chat and Reflective Discussion
April 2015

The Art of Q & A: 3 of My Favorite Quotes and My Personal Takeaway Lessons

“Our worlds were most comfortable when we saw what we wanted to see.”

My Abbreviated Thoughts: I cannot tell you how many times I sat and reflected on this one thought. Even in its simplicity, it revealed so much. And there is not just one lesson that can be found in these words, there are many. Instead of addressing the obvious issue related to this quote from the book, the one that I want to tease out, deals with the word comfortable.

Being uncomfortable versus being comfortable and the value therein for the Christian is a concept that I have visited repeatedly. What I have learned regarding this is that while comfort is a wonderful thing, it can also be impactful in a way that may not be for the best. 

When I am “comfortable,” I tend to notice how stagnancy and arrogance enter my life. Believe me when I say that this is dangerous! In my comfortable stagnancy and puffed up arrogance, not only do I see what I want to see within myself, but I also believe what I want to believe about myself. 

My Lesson: Being uncomfortable influences me to rely on, depend on and trust in God more than myself.

Q: Is being comfortable in the LORD the same thing as being uncomfortable in life? Discuss.

“Moments of weakness are bound to happen. I’m afraid it’s a side effect of being human. What matters is how we cope in our moments of weakness.”

My Abbreviated Thoughts: After reading this quote, my mind immediately went to 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. I drew strength and was encouraged by the words that I found there. 

Reading Paul’s words and God’s response to the disciple’s words… it could have been me. It is me! But just as the LORD spoke to Paul and calmed him, He does the same for me. 

My Lesson: I must call out to the LORD at all times. I must depend on Him for a ready word, for the uncompromising truth, for His unwavering strength and power, and for infinite peace in the face of my life’s drama. 

Q: If God were to take away all of your weaknesses, challenges, struggles and conflicts, would you have a need for Him? Discuss.

“Who do you say Jesus is, Gracie Fisher? I didn’t know. Not really. But I knew who I wanted Him to be.“

My Abbreviated Thoughts: I loved that thoughtful question – Who do you say Jesus is. No matter how many times I read it, it stunned me. Even now, I am passionately considering what my answer is.

It’s a question that each one of us should answer; not just once but daily. It’s a question that seriously opens the door to deeper thought and careful examination. 

My Lesson: The LORD should be explored, sought after, and known by me on a daily basis.

Q: Who do you say Jesus is? 

“Behold, I make all things new.” – Revelation 21:5

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To learn more about this book: Behind the scenes with The Art of Losing Yourself
To get this book: The Art of Losing Yourself

The Art of Losing Yourself – A Book Club Chat and Reflective Discussion (3/4)

The Art of Losing Yourself – A Weekly Online Book Club Chat and Reflective Discussion
April 2015

The Art of Q & A: Week 3, Chapter 45

Power to the Faint…

So much spoke to my heart from chapter 45. Isaiah 40:28-31, along with Carmen’s shared thoughts, touched me so deeply that I quickly found myself reflecting on the truth of God’s words in a whole new way. 

Q: Do you ever find yourself asking God why you have to endure certain challenges?

Q: Is there a rhyme or reason for obstacles to come into our lives? Discuss.

Q: When someone asks if you are okay, does what you say match the truth of how you feel?

Q: Do you believe that you are worth saving? (Spiritual Life Fitness Challenge: Journal-pray to God about what it means to be saved. After you have completed this task, spend some time thanking God for all the ways He saves you daily.)

Q: What does Isaiah 40:28-31 mean to you and what encouraging lesson can you find there?

Q: In what ways do you find yourself “locked in the past,” and how can Jesus Christ help you deal with this?

Q: Where do whispers of doubt originate? Why are they so debilitating?

Q: How can one who is faint or weary find wholeness?

Q: Who or what do you need God to rescue you from? (Spiritual Life Fitness Challenge: Conduct a word study on the word Savior.)

“Behold, I make all things new.” – Revelation 21:5

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Next week’s Book Club Chat and Reflective Discussion will highlight some of my favorite quotes and lessons from the book.
To learn more about this book: Behind the scenes with The Art of Losing Yourself
To get this book: The Art of Losing Yourself

The Art of Losing Yourself – A Book Club Chat and Reflective Discussion (2/4)

The Art of Losing Yourself – A Weekly Online Book Club Chat and Reflective Discussion
April 2015

The Art of Q & A: Week 2, Chapters 22-26

God help me…
Four people – Gracie, Elias, Carmen and Ben – lived on his or her own side of “God help me.” They each faced their particular situations with a unique perspective. Shaped by their circumstances, they each sought understanding and answers. They each sought to make a change or to have a more meaningful impact in some way. Although this may have been the case, I could not help but be aware of some of the obstacles that existed for them.

FEAR > INSECURITY > LOW SELF WORTH > RACISM > PREJUDICE > BROKENNESS > UNBELIEF

Q: Have you ever found yourself in the “God help me” position? Discuss.
Q: How is fear manifesting itself in your life at present?
Q: What does the Bible say about fear, and what is God’s unique perspective on it?
Q: Can your insecurities ever hold you back from pursuing or realizing a dream? Should this be so?
Q: What does being fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God mean to you?
Q: Are you aware of your value in God’s eyes? Discuss.
Q: How does it make you feel when you are judged by others?
Q: How do you deal with untruths that are directed toward you and/or toward those you care about?
Q: What are some biblical examples of brokenness?
Q: How does the LORD tend to deal with brokenness or with the many ways that brokenness may reveal itself?
Q: Can unbelief be overcome?
Q: Are you or have you ever been afraid to surrender to God or to be transformed by God?
Q: Does God have you at a turning point in your journey?

“Behold, I make all things new.” – Revelation 21:5

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Next week’s Book Club Chat and Reflective Discussion will highlight chapter 45.
To learn more about this book: Behind the scenes with The Art of Losing Yourself
To get this book: The Art of Losing Yourself

The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert

Where do I begin?

What could I possibly say to you to convince you that you should definitely read this book?

Trust me when I say that you want to read this book. It’s… moving. It’s powerful. It’s real. It’s life.

The beautiful thing about The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert is that this book has breath. It lives. What I mean is that it is a story that is, quite frankly, our own story. It’s the kind of story that begins with an emotionally-charged moment and ends with a now what-but question. It is the type of story that you quickly find yourself identifying wth the characters or with some aspect of a character’s struggle. (I love that! I love seeing the deeper picture, the where are You, God, in a story or the that’s me and what I’m dealing with kind of picture.)

From the moment I started reading this story, I was immediately drawn in. In fact, I literally found myself writing in the margins of my pages. I wrote down my impressions, my questions, my takeaways. I recall just how suddenly my heart was attracted to Carmen and Gracie. Their walks were so different and yet so similar, in certain respects. They were both so seemingly lost in a tidal wave of hopelessness while still being desirous of finding a new hope to make things better. (Sigh. Sniffle. Can you relate to that at all?)

The grace lessons and the God lessons in this book are priceless. In fact, there are such wonderful messages sprinkled throughout the pages of this book that I found myself wanting to share them and talk about them with a friend. That’s how compelling this story is. That’s how riveting it is!

Still, I could say so much more about this book. (And I will.) This book is so rich and meaningful that I have decided to feature it as a Table Talk series on my blog for a whole month. That says something!

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Do not approach it or see it from a superficial point of view; dig deeper and find the greater love story because it is most certainly there. That – the greater love story, the greater grace story – is where you will find yourself and begin to see a brighter hope.

(Can you tell I like this book? I really do, and you will too.)

Rating: 5/5

Recommend: Yes

Audience: Adult

Status: Christian, Contemporary

Options: Women’s Interest Group Discussion Series, Christian Book Club, Church Library, Marriage and Family Ministry, Grief Counseling

Life Lessons/GraceLessons: Yes

 

A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest critique. I was not required to submit a positive review or compensated for my review. The words I have expressed are my own.

The Art of Losing Yourself will be featured during the month of April as part of a Table Talk Tuesday series. Make plans to follow and/or join the discussion.