I read this book over the weekend as Sam and I went away for a much needed rest. I feel that how I’ve responded to this book is intrinsically linked with how I feel at the moment so I’m just briefly going to talk about that.

Basically, for the last couple of weeks I’ve been struggling with anxiety and low mood. I basically feel like a tiny baby elephant is sat on my chest, restricting my breathing. It’s not fun. It’s been made apparent to me that no one is immune from suffering with poor mental health and, as much as you look after yourself, it is unpredictable. Whilst a number of things may have built up to make me feel this way, it was reading a distressing email attachment at work that seems to have triggered these emotions. Without wanting to psychoanalyse myself, it pushed a lot of buttons and my brain went “nope”, to put it bluntly. Since, I have been decidedly un-Emma-ish. So there you go, that’s where I’m at right now.

This book, Simplify by Bill Hybels, was a helpful companion over the weekend as I sought to rest and sort myself out a bit. It leads you through ten steps to simplify your life by “uncluttering your soul”. It may sound a bit wishy-washy, but it is intensely practical with action steps at the end of each chapter. Hybels encourages you to write your thoughts in a journal and decide on how you are going to put the teaching of each chapter into practice. His tone is firm but compassionate, wise and kind. The book is filled with stories from his life and stories he has been told as pastor of Willow Creek, a massive multi-congregational church in America. He demonstrates with examples how to simplify your life, and how it has helped him. Perhaps surprisingly, the main thrust of the book isn’t about doing less, it is about investing more in things that actually matter. So putting exercise, family time and fun into the calendar and treating them with as much significance and importance as work commitments. Recognising which relationships in your life are healthy and happy, and which are doing more harm than good. Forgiving people and letting go of the weight of resentment. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t an easy book with a “to do” list you can tick through. If you’re going to use it properly, it is hard graft. 

Ultimately, this book kept pointing me back to Jesus, his ever present place in my life and the hope he offers. In a time where I’m struggling to be in the church that I love (it’s full of lovely people, but so many of them!), this reminded me that it’s all about Jesus and your relationship with him. So I know I’ll get through this tricky season because he is my strength. One of the chapters of the book is about choosing a “life verse”, which is actually quite hard. I decided upon Isaiah 41:10, at least for this time in my life, so I’ll end with that:

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.