How People Grow: What the Bible Reveals about Personal Growth
Authors: Henry Cloud, John Townsend
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 978-0310257370

Reviewed by Mike Parker

"This is one of the best books on spiritual growth I've ever read" - Rick Warren

"I agree with Rick" - Mike Parker

"No pain, no gain". OK, so we all know this is true of physical exercise, but is it also true of spiritual growth? Maybe not always. However, pain/struggles/problems can actually provide us with an opportunity to grow. In order for this to happen, we first have to acknowledge the issue ourselves and we then have to hand it over to God. Also, He often then uses another Christian/Christians to get alongside us in the growth process. That is, if we choose to open up to another person. Alternatively, we can ignore the pain, bury the problem, pretend it is not there and make do as best we can, on our own.

Challenging stuff!!! It is one of the subjects underlying this very interesting book written by two experienced Christian psychologists. The book looks at the subject of spiritual growth and links it to their understanding of psychology, an understanding that has been honed over many years of counselling Christians. I found the book fascinating and believe it touches on issues that probably apply to all of us to some degree or another.

Overall, whilst being a challenging book, it is also one that offers hope to all of us who struggle in life at times (that's all of us I guess!!). It also gives advice about how we can helpfully get alongside someone else who is in pain, helping them in part of their growth process. Good stuff.

Mike