Find Your Strongest Life - Book Review

Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham

I’m rather torn in writing this review. One part of me says that this book was a well-written book with some good and useful information. The other part says that I need to stand for the truth of Jesus Christ and that just isn’t present. In fact, He seems to be completely left out of the picture.

Before agreeing to review Find Your Strongest Life, I searched a bit on Marcus Buckingham, having not heard of him. I found the site of his organization, along with a number of YouTube videos and it appeared that this book would fit the category of self-help. As a follower of Jesus, I’m not called to self-help. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Yes, I read books that aren’t faith-based and learn things from them as well. But I was surprised to find that this was in the Thomas Nelson repertoire. Their original goal was to “honor God and serve people.” As an example, Marcus repeatedly says that children do not bring happiness. Research shows this to be true. Of course, I think that you could find research to support just about any opinion you have. But I also think that if you’re having children to find happiness, you’re already on the wrong path. God says they’re a gift and a blessing, but He doesn’t say they’re the source of happiness.

The book is definitely geared toward career and working women. Since God’s mission for me at this time in life is to be a stay-at-home, homeschool mom, much of the material wasn’t applicable. It offers a fairly humanistic, take control, and make-your-life-better perspective. Yet I came away with some nuggets that I believe may be quite beneficial in my life.

You see the paradox here? It’s good, but not completely good. It’s bad, but not completely bad. Neither is exactly what I want to say and I’m struggling with the words to share.

If you are a career woman (or man – it’s not as gender-specific as it may sound), if you aren’t concerned with God’s role in your life, and if you want to effect change in your life, read this book.

If you’re a Jesus-loving woman, particularly one who stays home with (or without) her children, it will probably not be very beneficial to you.

If you’d like to get a flavor for what this book has to offer so you can make an better decision, you can access a very generous, 47-page sample of the book here. For more information from Thomas Nelson go here.



ps - in light of this, I want to let you know that I was provided a free copy of the aforementioned book by Thomas Nelson.