All My Friends Have Issues: Building Remarkable Relationships with Imperfect People (Like Me)

Anderson, founder of Heart in Training ministry, provides Christian women a guide for forming and maintaining biblically healthy friendships in her impassioned debut. For Anderson, there are three foundational tenets to meaningful connection: authenticity, encouragement, and accountability. In defining authenticity, Anderson compares it to intimacy—where intimacy is just the process of getting closer, authenticity requires effort to strip away “artifice.” She believes that perfectionism is often the largest hurdle in relationships, and urges readers to be willing to share insecurities with friends. But she also cautions readers to be choosy when finding new friendships, and to use the principles of Scripture as a guide. To this end, she urges Christian readers to practice accountability by speaking to close friends about sinful behavior—be it a friend’s behavior or one’s own. For strengthening bonds, she recommends prayer and includes ideas for prayers designed for both individuals or groups. In the final section, she lists questions meant to spark conversations about authenticity, as well as a list of warning signs that may indicate a spiritually unhealthy friendship. Rooted in Scripture and approachable in tone, this will be a useful resource for Christian Bible study groups. (July)