Why Not You? Believing What God Believes About You

Pastor Newton (Breathe Again) issues a passionate if somewhat vague call for Christians to set aside their insecurities and embrace their divine purpose. He asks believers to abandon the “lies” they’ve internalized (that their worth depends on worldly achievement; that they are defined by past traumas) and build faith through small, day-to-day behaviors, like acting with integrity and worshipping God in and out of church. Doing so allows one to better tap into the voice of the Holy Spirit, access their unique “spiritual gifts,” and find their path. Newton also shares advice on overcoming imposter syndrome and eradicating bad habits, generally by being more self-aware (“If you don’t like who you are becoming, it’s time to pay attention to what you’re putting in your soul.... What are your tendencies? What trajectory is that leading you on?”). While Newton has a lot to say about overcoming the barriers to accessing one’s gifts, he’s less concrete about what it means to actually live out one’s purpose. Still, his unfailing optimism and reassurances (“If Jesus is big enough to save you from hell, then He is certainly big enough to help you process your emotions”) will buoy readers’ spirits. It’s an enthusiastic invitation for believers to find themselves through faith. (Nov.)