I've been privileged to be able to read a pre-release of Karl and Laura Forehand 's latest book, Leaning Forward.
Life is full of changes. Sometimes we have control over what those changes are and when they occur, and sometimes we find out with little to warning at all. Many times, regardless of the circumstances, we are left with the same question. “What do I do now?” Karl and Laura Forehand present a helpful suggestion: lean forward. What does that mean? It means take a few steps, possibly in a new or difficult direction, and see what happens. Leaning forward isn’t foolishly running head long with eyes shut, hoping for the best, and possibly going headfirst into a brick wall. It’s just what it says: leaning. Start moving from the inner part of yourself. Take the time to listen to yourself and learn to trust yourself. Depending on your personal experiences, this might not only be a new or difficult experience, but it might be something you have previously believed to be wrong, sinful, or deceitful. A common thread of high control groups is convincing members that listening to your own inner voice is bad. On the contrary, listening to that inner voice can sometimes be what keeps you safe.
In their latest book, Leaning Forward, Karl and Laura use their gentle approach to encourage the reader to explore from the inside out. This isn’t a step-by-step system or approach. It’s not as simple as 1-2-3, do after me. It’s not the only advice you’ll ever need. Instead, it’s about finding your own path. It’s an encouragement to trust yourself. If you’ve grown up in a high control religion, it has likely had a profound impact on not only how you see the world and people around you and how you interact with them, but it has likely also taught you to believe that there is a set method to dealing with difficulties and hurts that works for everyone in all situations. But if those wounds have come from that religious group, things become complicated at best. For many, one of the first steps to healing is separating from that source of trauma. It might be finding a different church or type of church, or leaving that entire belief system behind, either temporarily or permanently. Regardless, when the religious aspects of your life are something that almost completely define you, that loss can be disorienting. It can be a loss of connection with community, and even your own inner stability. As Karl and Laura explain, the first step is to connect with your own compass. Just because that inner voice may not be perfect doesn’t mean it should be completely discounted as untrustworthy. Listen to yourself. Listen to others, and just be present. Just as a compass needs a little bit of stillness to orient its needle true north, our inner compass is the same. Be still, give it that chance, and then see what direction to lean into.
After you’ve taken the time to listen to that voice, then start exploring the world and ideas around you. If we spent less time worrying about where the path might end and more time being curious about the space we are currently in, we could learn a lot more on the way to that destination. And sometimes it means we would see the warning signs before we get to the point of no return.
Our preconceived notions of how we must live, learn, or heal can sometimes result in preventing us from finding paths that are actually just what we need to heal, grow, and thrive. Sometimes the best path for you may be the one less traveled.
Lean forward. Wonder. Explore. Don’t limit yourself. Who knows where your wonder could take you once you realize you have access to many more paths than you realized?
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Reviews with images
Started Reading and Could Not Put It Down
I found this one of those books I could not put down. Each chapter made me think, wow, this is what I am going through, or that is what I have been thinking about. The authors did a great job with this follow-up to their book ‘Out Into the Desert’. It is written to those who are questioning their faith, having some doubts about what they were taught in the church, and who want a more authentic faith. We are told many things about traditional church and Christianity in general, yet shown there is a difference between the two. There is a closeness of being of God that religion usually does not emphasize. I found this book to be very interesting, informative, encouraging and uplifting, especially if you are wondering if the doubts and questions you have are wrong, or are showing a lack of faith. We find that traditional Christianity just may not be what we have always thought it was, and there is a better way to walk in the example of Jesus. We learn to be the people we were created to be, not following religious doctrines and rules, but following the Spirit’s lead and being present and authentic. If you are wondering about what religion taught you, if you are having doubts and questions, if you are becoming more uncertain about what you believe, then this book is for you. The authors did a great job of being honest and open about their experiences, their doubts and questions, and they made clear that none of these separate us from the love of God.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023
Started Reading and Could Not Put It Down
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023
I found this one of those books I could not put down. Each chapter made me think, wow, this is what I am going through, or that is what I have been thinking about. The authors did a great job with this follow-up to their book ‘Out Into the Desert’. It is written to those who are questioning their faith, having some doubts about what they were taught in the church, and who want a more authentic faith. We are told many things about traditional church and Christianity in general, yet shown there is a difference between the two. There is a closeness of being of God that religion usually does not emphasize. I found this book to be very interesting, informative, encouraging and uplifting, especially if you are wondering if the doubts and questions you have are wrong, or are showing a lack of faith. We find that traditional Christianity just may not be what we have always thought it was, and there is a better way to walk in the example of Jesus. We learn to be the people we were created to be, not following religious doctrines and rules, but following the Spirit’s lead and being present and authentic. If you are wondering about what religion taught you, if you are having doubts and questions, if you are becoming more uncertain about what you believe, then this book is for you. The authors did a great job of being honest and open about their experiences, their doubts and questions, and they made clear that none of these separate us from the love of God.
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023
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Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2023
Karl and Laura's latest bombshell addresses all the issues organized religion pretend don't exist. Their rational exploration of organized religion's pitfalls and unhealthy systematic conditioning helps the reader better understand how to detangle from the system so they can build a whole, healthy inner connection to themselves, the world, and others. Even if you choose organized religion this book will help you see clearly what is and is not healthy in your practice!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2023
Some of want to stay where we are, but many people want to move beyond religion. It's time!
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