Find Your Strongest Life - What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently

I've had anxiety about this book review for over a week. I chose to review Marcus Buckingham's book "Find Your Strongest Life" because it was published by Thomas Nelson (an excellent Christian publisher) and I thought it would be a great book for me to recommend. Doesn't the title sound like something that goes with the theme of this blog?

Nope - I was wrong. I so wish I could give a positive review...but I can not and that is where my anxiety comes in. I do not want to tear this book apart - yet I am required by the publishers to do a review today and I must be honest. So here it is.

My number one problem with this book is that it is Godless. There is no mention of turning to God and his word for strength or for happiness. There is no mention that God has a purpose for your life and that he has gifted you with the talents you have to use for his glory.

This book was written as a result of a 3 hour workshop Markus led on Oprah Winfrey's set with 30 successful women who were unfulfilled. My eye brows perked when I saw his connections with Oprah Winfrey. (Here's my thoughts on her.) He proceeded to quote Gloria Steinem multiple times within the first few chapters - again a bit brow raising. Her beliefs do not line up with God's word so I wasn't sure where he was trying to lead the reader. He was leading me far from the well of living water that Christ offers!

That being clearly stated there many principles given that were true and helpful. For example the idea that the more we focus our attention on a problem, emotion or negative issue the more it dominates our thinking and grows into something larger. He relates this thought to marriage very well.

"The more attention you pay to "what's wrong" with your marriage... the more "what's wrong" expands. Even though you are paying attention to "what's wrong" for the right reason... the more you investigate it, talk about it, relive it, explain it, the more detail the "what's wrong" acquires. And with the detail comes weight and meaning and significance. Your marriages starts to be defined by "what's wrong" with it."

He goes on to explain the solution to the problem - think about the things that are lovely in your mate. He explains where he got this philosophy - "The philosopher William James said..."Why should we think on things that are lovely? Because our thinking determines our life."

Great point William James - but don't take credit for it because God said it first in Philippians 4:8"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is admirable, if any thing is excellent or praiseworthy - THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS."

To sum up, I feel if you follow this book's advice - it will leave you with a void - still longing for more. We will be strongest, happiest and most successful (not in the world's eyes but in God's eyes) when we are daily reading God's word, obeying it and living out the joy of the Lord. So skip this book, read the Bible and live well!

Walk with the King!

This test below is made up of a about 20 multiple choice questions. At the end it will tell you what "personality" type you are and what role you should play in life where you are strongest. It only takes 5 minutes and doesn't require you to give out any personal information...give it a try.