The Basics

Title: Joyful Surrender: 7 Disciplines for the Believer’s Life

Genre: Christian Spiritual Growth

Length: 150 pages

Note: Previously published in 1982 and 2006 with the title Discipline.

From the Back Cover: In our age of instant gratification and if-it-feels-good-do-it attitudes, self-discipline is hardly a popular notion. Yet it may be one of the most important lost virtues of our time. In Joyful Surrender, former missionary and beloved author Elisabeth Elliot offers her understanding of discipline and its value for people of all times. She shows readers how to:

• discipline the mind, body, possessions, time, and feelings
• overcome anxiety
• change poor habits and attitudes
• trust God in times of trial and hardship
• let Christ have control in all areas of life

Elliot masterfully and gently takes readers through Scripture, personal stories, and incisive observations of the world around her to help them discover the understanding that our fulfillment as human beings depends on our answer to God’s call to obedience.

My Review

I have known about Elisabath Elliot’s for years, having read her book Through Gates of Splendor in school, but I had never read any of her other books. This one sounded interesting, and I know I always need more self-discipline in my life, so I decided to give it a try.

This book is written in a conversational style, and Elisabeth included lots of personal stories to illustrate what she was teaching. She also referenced and quoted a lot of Scripture while making her points, which I really appreciate. She didn’t include the Scripture references in the body of the book, but in the notes at the back – in case you’re looking for them like I was!

The first six chapters of the book set the stage by describing discipline as the disciple’s obedience and “the wholehearted yes to the call of God.” This introductory half also discusses living in the tension of His sovereignty and our free will. The rest of the book deals with discipline in seven specific areas of life. Each chapter is full of food for thought, encouragement, and spiritual principles. As long as you’re not looking for a step by step plan to become more disciplined, but rather the scriptural basis for why discipline is important, I think this book will be an encouragement you.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review. Thank you, Revell!