Done with That: Escape the Struggle of Your Old Life

Pastor Merritt (Get Wise) explains how to use the continuous process of spiritual growth to rid oneself of negative behaviors, such as emotions of anger or fear, in this comforting scriptural study and memoir. Coming from his own personal struggle with sin and while acknowledging that all people sin, Merritt uses personal anecdotes to illustrate how readers can “flip the script” by finding their “signature sin.” For Merritt, it is “verbal misconduct” or “saying hurtful or offensive things”; to be more conscious of this flaw, he learned to slow down, ask questions first, and remember to “cycle back” and apologize when he feels a blunder has been made. He also provides powerful metaphors crafted from real events, such as rescuing a hummingbird trapped in his vacation home as an example of how God may rescue those who choose to trust Him. Believing that lasting change can only happen through a relationship with Jesus, he warns against the constant influx of information and encourages readers to take steps to “purify the stream” by balancing secularized media with faith-based works: “I balance my love for Vince Flynn and John Grisham novels with a constant flow of Christian books.” He recommends reading the Bible, reducing noise from distractions (like television and phones), and divulging sins to loved ones. Christians interested in living into God’s teachings will relish Merritt’s candid, insightful work. (Aug.)