Unhindered Abundance

January 11, 2021
In this informative guide, Baugh (The Quest for Christ), president of the Institute for Discipleship Training, shares the biblical principles that have helped him find greater joy and peace. After losing his job as a pastor for “lacking the leadership skills to take the church to the next level,” Baugh felt frustrated by his lack of spiritual growth. From that low point, Baugh expounds on the spiritual disciplines that brought him closer to God and helped heal his heart, such as seeking out solitude (when “we invite the Holy Spirit to examine our heart”), engaging in deep prayer, and practicing confession. He offers guidance on using scriptures to rewire negative thoughts, and examines gratitude as a motivational tool. A highlight is Baugh’s explanation of the three core components of “Christ-formation,” which requires Christians know scripture and the revelations of Christ, build relationships with other Christians, and “directly participate” in one’s faith community. In contemplative“Restoring My Soul with God” and “Restoring My Soul with Others” sections at the end of each chapter, he provides prompts for working through forgiveness or remembering key life events and the emotions they inspire. Christians who are feeling spiritually stuck will be drawn to Baugh’s useful suggestions.