Useful Books to Help Combat Life-Controlling Habits.
I thought I would start this new year by sharing 5 books that help shed light on the struggle with addictive behaviours. I, and others, have discovered that the authors in these books speak significant hope into the circumstances surrounding often very detrimental, and life-disturbing habits. Each book is a very useful personal, 1-2-1 or a support group resource to help combat these life-controlling habits. Some of the books may have specific sin issues in mind. However, each book can be read regardless of the sinful, life-controlling issue you may struggle with, pointing to the great hope and rescuer, Jesus Christ.
Book 1: You Can Change by Tim Chester
The subtitle to this book is: God’s transforming power for our sinful behaviour and negative emotions.
This morning I asked my husband, John, why he likes this book so much. He has used it for many years in a support group and 1-2-1 setting. John’s response was that is was a “global response” to the journey in and through addictive issues. He meant that for him personally the theological and practical came together from someone, who knew this issue intimately. This fits with Paul Tripp’s recommendation; “shockingly honest, carefully theological and gloriously hopeful.”
Book 2: Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave: Finding Hope in the power of the Gospel by Ed Welch
This is a useful book to discover how the Bible speaks into life-controlling habits. It was the first complete book I read on addiction and it kick-started my interest, alongside my own struggles with the subject. Ed Welch focusses on addiction as a worship disorder; the worship of our own desires or the worship of the one true God. It is theological and practical; a personal book plus help for others you may be coming alongside. This is an excellent book to work through alone, with someone else or as a support group resource. This is one review: The book is biblical and compassionate. There is much hope and poses important challenges. For those who may be inclined to judge an addict, beware! You will find that you are challenged just as much yourself and will approach the whole subject of addiction with more humility as a result! I would wholeheartedly recommend this book. It is also a great resource for church leaders as addiction will inevitably crop up in pastoral work (amazon.co.uk reviewer).
Book 3: Sexual Sanity for Men: Recreating Your Mind in a Crazy Culture by David White
Every Saturday morning my husband and a group of men meet online to combat sexual brokenness together. Every year they work through this book alongside some other authors. John has also worked through this book countless times with men 1-2-1. This is what Paul Tripp writes; “I know of no resource for men who are struggling with sexual sin that is more soundly biblical, drenched with the gospel, and practical at the street level…” At the end of each chapter there are moments of reflection, deeply challenging but always leading back to Christ and away from wilderness, guilt-ridden, shame -filled living.
Book 4: Purity is Possible: How to live free of the fantasy trap by Helen Thorne.
I have to be honest, I enjoy the words and thoughts that Helen Thorne writes, emerging out of lived experience. This book is no different. This is a book for women, written by a woman, dealing with the sexual battles women face. These words say it all, “Women struggle with sexual fantasies, erotica and porn, and it is the great unspoken issue of our age. If you are one of those women, you are not alone. You have been courageous by picking up this book. And, no matter what you’ve done, a beautiful purity is possible” (back cover of book). Themes of identity, beauty, freedom, guilt and mercy, idols and new minds are covered biblically, openly and courageously. Try this book with a friend, or alone; it won’t be easy but it will be worth it.
Book 5: The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundgaard
This is another book that my husband, John finds helpful when he comes alongside the struggling addict or everyday sinner. It is a modern, up to date version of two works by the puritan, John Owen. It tackles the heart wrenching question of “why do I keep on sinning? ” Again John has used this work in a small group and 1-2-1 setting. Steven J Lawson writes. “Confronting and overcoming sin is a constant struggle for every believer. Here is a must read for all who desire not to wave the white flag and surrender to sin, but to soundly defeat it.”
Sally Childress
Co-founder of Free! Recovery alongside my husband,John
