Dr Caroline Leaf 'Cleaning up Your Mental Mess' (It's a book)

Hi,
I started reading this book today.
Has anybody else read it please?
I would love to compare notes.

What do you think so far?

She is also from the Word of Faith background so that book will contain similar doctrine as Copeland/Osteen et al.

That's a non sequitur.

If you can find actual evidence that she promotes a WoF message, then your comment would have merit. Without the evidence, your comment is nothing but slander.

You have a strange way of defining slander.

There are many WOF churches around and they are all legitimate churches.

When I say her theology is similar to theirs, there is nothing slanderous about that link.

If you don't think there is anything wrong with WoF, then why did you mention it?

Perhaps she is simply suggesting turning over a new leaf. No I won't be reading her book.

I come from a WOF church myself so I don't get why you claim slander when there is none.

Fair enough. If you honestly don't think there is anything wrong, then it was not slander. I withdraw the accusation.

Try not to think you can read the minds of others.

When in doubt, ask questions instead of jumping in with all these negative accusations.

Thank you all.
It's kind of a book of advice for overcoming 'burnout' and other mental issues.
As I have m.e./mental exhaustion I'm finding it difficult to find the energy to find the 'bullet points' of what to actually do amidst all the theory etc, so I can't say what I think of book so far unfortunately 2ndT but thanks for asking

Caroline L does appear on tv with the Copelands sometimes.
I'm guessing wof has been an issue on here b4 then.
I am generally pro-wof.
The book is more 'neurocycling'! than wof I think.
I think neurocycling is similar to CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy.)

Generally wof believers will embrace the idea that “your thoughts create your reality”.

I was learning this from secular teachers like joe dispenza before I notice this from wof churches.

So yes Caroline leaf basically backed this with scriptural applications. Her use of the woman with the issue of blood is particularly detailed with this link.

I'm not sure of how much I'll write, but I'll pre-apologize for being long-winded. Sorry!

At age 29 I began writing a personal book (for myself) on how to be happy. I spent two years of my life writing and re-writing. It was the greatest time of my life! I had never been more whole and complete, as I would imagine the case for most who spend two years in such deep efforts to understand and obtain happiness. I created programs and exercises . . . there is, to this day, still some very good material in that 25-year-old set of writings.

To keep this short, I'll say that I've always struggled in this life . . . always suffering from some kind of battle. I always thought that perhaps there was something wrong with me, including the possibility of a "chemical imbalance." I did everything to figure out a way to find peace and happiness in this world . . . but it was just so elusive. Even the Paleo diet amounted to nothing. I cleaned up my diet, giving my body and brain every right chance to correct itself, adjust, and begin leading this body of mine in a renewed sense of life. It didn't work.

Again, for the sake of a short read, I'll cut to the chase and just say the word . . . Confidence. I had none and I wasn't going to "go anywhere" in this world until that changed.

Years ago, the "self-help" industry was some 11 billion per year. Uh . . . say what? If this industry were so spot-on, why is that number so bloody high? If those books, tapes, CDs, and videos were so right . . . why are people so wrong and only getting worse? Why is it that this 11 billion dollar industry is not shrinking? Because it is a broken, dead, system. It is a hoax.

The Bible shows us consistently who and what we are supposed to be. First of all, we are to recognize the Raw, Almighty Power of God. We'll know that our perspective of God's position is right and in order when we change our ways based upon the reality of God's Power being implanted into our thought processes. We are to Fear God and no one or nothing else. Nothing. No one. That's it right there . . . Fear . . . unholy, negative, ugly, repulsive, wretched, Satanic Fear . . . it's gotta go. Why? Because Fear is an unholy blanket that shields us from receiving properly, and Fear doesn't allow us to live, and even give properly. All of life becomes eschewed in this Evil way of thinking and living.

Right from the start, we find Adam and Eve living in Fear, Shame, and Guilt. We can't do that. We just cannot live this way. Fear, Shame, and Guilt are of the Devil . . . and we Christians do not play that game. How do we combat this problem? Of course, we got to live with Christ in prayer; Trusting in Him to bring Truth and healings. But it's time that we get off of the couch and stop waiting on the Lord and begin to put some effort into this relationship that we have with Him. It's time to get to work!

Confidence. And this is what my post is about, which is that we've got to have a balanced view of ourselves, the world, and everything within it. We must be balanced! We must not hate ourselves nor should we be inappropriately in love with ourselves. A balanced sense of confidence doesn't allow us to focus on ourselves but on the needs and concerns of others. A confident person will think beyond his or her own issues and consider others as more important. This is freedom!

We've got to learn to believe in ourselves as good people. We've got to understand that the things wrong that we have done . . . that was the Sin Nature, just as Paul described in Romans 7:17 & 20. We must forgive ourselves . . . and all others . . . and move on in this life. Balanced . . . we must be balanced.

Now here is the thing . . . this life is only possible unless we turn to Jesus for His Holy and Spiritual Circumcision. We must all know what this Circumcision is. The KJV and NLT translations are the best, especially when put together as compared. Here is the NLT:

Colossians 2:11-13 NLT - "When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins."

We cannot be "made alive" until we receive the Circumcision of Christ. This is the Core of the Gospel, and it is by understanding the actual, True Gospel that a person finds True Peace. But, until we shed Fear, Shame, and Guilt . . . it will be nearly impossible to hear the Truth and Gospel of Christ. It will be nearly impossible to find peace and happiness in this world.

Yep. Fairly long-winded!

I havent read this book but am familiar with Dr Leafs other books.
I would say they are quite wordy and of interest to those who have a more scientific psychological bent (or studied pyschology) because of all the references to brains and neurons etc.

You dont really need that to understand how God renews the mind but some people need to 'prove' God by going into all that detail.

I did psychology at uni but all those heavy psychology textbooks are now in the bin lol.

And so are the people that those books alleged to have help. Yikes.

So sorry to hear of your health struggles. It is a very unpleasant illness to live with and I admire your determination to seek God despite the difficulties you must be facing.

This book might be of interest, it is a fairly different perspective to WOF, but I think it may be useful all the same
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Can-God-Help-M-Breaking/dp/0863472621

And this site too, if you aren't aware of it
http://www.cwme.org.uk

Also given your experience, you might have something to add to this thread here that could help others, re. ME/CFS...
https://christianchat.com/natural-health-forum/me-cfs.195219/

I have not read the book but am aware of the methods/concepts you mentioned. What is your take on it?

He repented why carry on with this line of chastisement? As Christians when a person repents we accept and forgive and move on.

It very interesting to me how many Christians read self help books, when that help is in the bible and in prayer, and in pastoral care, and brotherly mentorship.
I think these self help books are just more babel, and deceptions to get us to worship ourselves into destruction.

There is nothing to forgive, you cannot control how others choose to respond to you.

I have no intention of controlling anyone. I will however speak the truth. It's up to you how you respond.
You have chosen how you to respond.