I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

I was introduced to the subject of wellness & wholeness several years ago. I have been learning the concepts in small fractions because the topics included are not topics typically taught in open classrooms, at home, or at church. -- It took me a while to delve into the message of this book -- it is not a quick read -- there are so many good topics and new concepts presented that it takes a while for the brain to wrap around these concepts. -- So it took me a few reads (three to be exact) to sort of get truths that this author was presenting to the reader.

I would suggest using the book as a Bible study -- starting as an individual study and then expanding to a group once individuals have had a chance to meditate and study the concepts presented. -- I would suggest the content be studied slowly -- there is a content here -- some things I have never heard of before like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Cognitive Distortions.
And there are some topics I have heard about but want to know more -- Generational curses and hypervigilance.

It may seem the book focuses on scientific concepts but the book presents everything in a way that the layperson can understand -- it just may take a little extra reading because the concepts are new.

Each section includes a list of JOURNALING QUESTIONS

SUMMARY: An introduction to the topic of wholeness of an individual that connects health through four groupings: Emotional Health, Spiritual Health, Mental Health, and Physical Health. And just because we think we're doing okay doesn't mean we really are. Chapter by chapter, page by page, we're going to take the time to dig deep and ask ourselves show we're really doing in our emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical health. We're going to start living intentionally toward health, and not just assuming we're okay.

Some of the key concepts represented in the book:

The majority of the issues we're facing in the present have their roots in the experiences of our past (p29)

The inability to deal with our emotions is often rooted in a lack of awareness of our emotions (p39)

VERY INTERESTING SECTION (pp51-62) recognizing patterns in our life including generational curses -- your intentions take a backseat to your patterns

...the body doesn't forget, even when the mind tries to (p61)

Negative thoughts lead to negative feelings, which ultimately lead to negative behaviors.... Because human beings are holistic, there's a strong connection between our bodies, minds, and emotions. (p65)

Feelings -- if not kept in check - can wreak havoc in our lives. Emotions are meant to signal us, but they are not meant to lead us. (p73)

The worst thing we can do for our emotions is to simply ignore them .... Unexpressed emotions will eventually make their way to the surface of your life (pp83-84)

VERY INTERESTING CHAPTER 4 -- GOD IS ____________ -- MY VIEW OF GOD
When we begin to see God clearly, we also begin to live differently (p108)

Things begin to change -- better yet, miracles begin to happen -- when we take inventory of what we are believing about ourselves and begin aligning those beliefs with God's unchanging truth. (p116)

VERY MEMORABLE STORY -- a ladies conference where attendees were asked to fill in a one word label as how they saw themselves -- "Hi My Name Is _________" -- the results are always devastating as to how we see ourselves -- how we label ourselves -- the author is there to remind them that God comes to completely obliterate the old labels (pp120-122)

The author also wants all readers to know -- I want to stop you right here and affirm that no matter who you are or what you've come from, you have a role in giving to others. You have something someone else needs. (p137)

The author has large sections on how everything comes down to the way our brain thinks -- the bad thoughts, the wrong thoughts, the negative thoughts -- There is so much power in the story you tell yourself -- the story you allow to repeat over and over in your mind -- because the story you tell yourself is your cognitive response to a situation. Your story reflects your thoughts. Your thoughts impact your feelings. And your feelings motivate your behaviors. (p156)

There is also a big section on depression, PTSD, and mental illnesses and how people suffering are not supported -- We pretend that it doesn't exist, forcing those struggling with it to battle through it alone. (p162)

A great truth presented -- YOUR STRUGGLE IS NOT A REFLECTION OF YOUR FAITH

HOPE AND HEALING -- create an environment where we embrace and encourage those who are struggling with mental illness and in pain, rather than pushing them away. (p170)

CHAPTER 9 -- TRAUMA MESSES WITH YOUR HEAD - PEELING BACK THE LAYERS
is a must read for everyone to understand how trauma and PTSD work to cripple an individual -- the author suffered a miscarriage that altered her life -- mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. -- Trauma is not a once-and-done experience. In fact, traumatic experiences make their way into our bodies by getting buried deep down in our brain. (p185) -- I didn't realize that my body was overreacting to the traumatic experience of my past with hypervigilance in the present. (p188)

As you heal in one area, the Lord reveals a new area that you're ready to heal from as well -- Flashbacks are a sign that your body is finally ready to recall the hard things you've been through. It's a sign that you're strong enough to handle the memories now. (p189)

I've learned to hold on to the reminder that even when my body may fail me, my God does not. (p198)

There is also a lot of helpful information about REST -- you only have so much energy and you must replenish it before it is exhausted -- it is OK to say "NO" to somethings so you can do what you are good at -- what you are supposed to be doing -- With every no, I am building a fence around my life, my family, and my ministry that keeps the good things in and the harmful things out -- find your own pace as well as your own space. (p220)

Because with my pain comes His power. (p235)
HOPE was the Last Word (scripture verses on HOPE) ( )