Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
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Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) was a prolific and popular Christian author. One of her books, Joyful Surrender, 7 Disciplines for the Believer’s Life, was originally published in 1982 and republished this year. Even though Elliot wrote the book over thirty years ago, the Biblical wisdom she imparts is still relevant for today.
The seven disciplines Elliot covers in this book are:
- The Discipline of the Body
- The Discipline of the Mind
- The Discipline of Place
- The Discipline of Time
- The Discipline of Possessions
- The Discipline of Work
- The Discipline of Feelings
Discipline is a topic that probably turns some people off from Christianity. The word discipline sounds rigid and not like much fun. However, God calls us to obey Him, but that obedience requires discipline. Elliot shows how this discipline should take place in every aspect of our lives, and that discipline can ultimately bring us joy!
Trying to live a disciplined life by ourselves is impossible. Although Elliot offers practical advice on how we can develop certain habits and thinking, she also emphasizes how we need to ultimately rely on God during our journey to a disciplined life. If you know Elliot’s story, she went through difficult times that most of us cannot even imagine. Joyful Surrender is a testament to how we can continue to obey God’s desire for us to live a disciplined life for Him despite our trials. Elliot’s life is an example through which we can all learn.