[Note: I have authored 32 books to date; yet, I have realized that many of you do not know what my books are about. 😆 In these audio Deep Dives, the hosts discuss the book in focus, and it ends up being quite inspirational! You can listen to this audio presentation in your podcast app or right here in the email as you drive to work or put on your make-up. (Also, there is a transcript available in the link above.)
I have also provided an overview for those who prefer to read. Enjoy and check out the huge 80% limited-time special discount on PDF and .epub ebooks below. If you really like the ebook, you can always pick up the paperback at Amazon as a gift for your friends and family for Christmas. Thanks for reading and listening! Iann ]
Toxic Emotions: A Biblical Guide To Emotional Freedom by Iann Schonken
Main Themes:
Emotions are powerful forces, and when left unchecked, they can become toxic, hindering spiritual growth and personal well-being.
The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of toxic emotions and offers biblical principles and practical steps for overcoming them.
The author highlights the need for self-examination, recognizing our emotional vulnerabilities and seeking God's help in managing them.
Schonken emphasizes the importance of embracing God’s forgiveness, renewing our minds with His truth, and living in the freedom of His grace.
Key Ideas and Facts:
Chapter 1: Why I Wrote This Book For You
The author stresses that emotions are not just personal matters but part of a spiritual battle.
He emphasizes the need to confront and address toxic emotions with God’s help.
Chapter 2: Anger: The Spark That Ignites
Schonken differentiates between righteous anger and sinful anger.
He provides five steps for managing anger, including asking for God’s help and guarding our words and actions.
Chapter 3: Fear: The Thief of Peace
This chapter focuses on the debilitating effects of toxic fear.
It explores how fear can paralyze us and prevent us from living a life of faith.
The author encourages readers to trust in God's sovereignty and take steps in faith to overcome fear.
Chapter 4: Envy: The Rotting of Contentment
Schonken defines envy as a deep-rooted dissatisfaction and highlights its corrosive nature.
He discusses how envy undermines trust in God and provides five biblical principles for overcoming it, such as cultivating gratitude, stopping comparison, and trusting God’s provision.
Biblical examples like Joseph and his brothers are used to illustrate the dangers and the possibility of redemption from envy.
Chapter 5: Toxic Shame: Discovering Freedom and Identity in Christ’s Redemption
This chapter explores the difference between guilt and shame, emphasizing that shame attacks our identity while guilt focuses on actions.
The author delves into the various roots of toxic shame, including past experiences, unresolved sin, and cultural pressures.
He outlines the damaging effects of shame on our relationships with God and others.
Biblical examples like the woman at the well and Peter's denial are used to illustrate the path from shame to redemption.
Chapter 6: Pride: The Stumbling Block to Humility
Schonken explains pride as an inflated sense of self-importance, differentiating between self-reliant pride and comparative pride.
He warns about the destructive nature of unchecked pride and how it can poison our hearts and relationships.
The author presents five biblical principles for overcoming pride, including recognizing our need for God, humbling ourselves, seeking His perspective, and living for His glory.
Chapter 7: Toxic Guilt: Receiving Forgiveness and Healing through God’s Mercy
Schonken distinguishes between healthy guilt, which leads to repentance, and toxic guilt, which lingers and refuses to release us.
The author examines the roots of toxic guilt, such as unresolved sin, trauma, and false expectations.
He provides five biblical principles for overcoming toxic guilt, including confessing sin, embracing forgiveness, making amends, renewing our minds, and living in grace.
Chapter 8: Toxic Sadness: Finding Joy and Comfort through God’s Healing Love
This chapter acknowledges sadness as a natural human emotion but focuses on the dangers of it becoming toxic.
Schonken explores the sources of sadness, including grief, disappointment, loneliness, and guilt.
He outlines the harmful effects of toxic sadness, such as hopelessness, despair, and strained relationships.
The author presents four strategies for overcoming toxic sadness, including acknowledging the pain, leaning on community, finding strength in God’s promises, and engaging in activities that bring joy.
Chapter 9: Toxic Rejection: Restoring Confidence and Worth in God’s Unfailing Love
This chapter focuses on the severe pain that rejection causes and how it can become toxic, affecting our sense of self-worth and relationship with God.
Schonken explores the roots of rejection, often stemming from unmet expectations and past experiences.
He highlights the lies that toxic rejection whispers and contrasts them with the truth of God’s love and acceptance.
Practical steps for overcoming rejection include acknowledging the pain, forgiveness, renewing the mind, finding support, and refocusing on God’s calling.
The author uses biblical figures like Hagar, Joseph, David, and Jesus to illustrate how rejection can be overcome through faith.
Chapter 10: Hopelessness: Finding Hope in God’s Unfailing Promises
This chapter addresses hopelessness, describing it as a state of despair that can lead to apathy and inaction.
Schonken explores the roots of hopelessness, including difficult circumstances, trauma, and a distorted view of God.
He provides five biblical principles for finding hope, including remembering God’s faithfulness, focusing on His promises, praying for strength, seeking support, and taking action.
Conclusion: Walking Forward in Faith and Freedom
The book concludes by encouraging readers to actively apply the biblical principles discussed to overcome toxic emotions.
It emphasizes the importance of choosing faith over fear and walking in the freedom that Christ offers.
Notable Quotes:
"Emotions are not just individual concerns; they are part of a larger spiritual battle."
"God has given us everything we need to overcome fear and walk in His peace and strength. Fear may be a part of life, but it doesn't have to control us."
"Envy is corrosive, eating away at our contentment, joy, and peace. When left unchecked, it can destroy friendships, marriages, careers, and even our relationship with God."
"Toxic shame doesn’t just make us feel bad about our actions—it makes us feel bad about who we are."
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, NIV)
"Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5, NIV)
"You are the God who sees me." (Genesis 16:13, NIV)
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9, NIV)
Overall Impression:
“Toxic Emotions” offers a practical and biblically grounded approach to understanding and overcoming negative emotional patterns. Schonken’s clear explanations, relatable examples, and actionable steps make this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to experience greater emotional freedom and spiritual growth.
Get your copy and get a few paperbacks for your friends for Christmas:
Paperback: $9.99 | Kindle: $9.99 | PDF+epub Ebooks: $1.99 (limited time 80% discount —24hrs only)
