Only rarely, when reviewing a pre-published book, I find that it speaks to issues I’m dealing with right at that moment. So, when I received a digital copy of this book through Netgalley for a review, I did not expect it would become a daily companion on my road. But ‘Be Not Troubled’ somehow arrived on my Kindle right on the moment I needed it… and as I started reading it over 6 days it really spoke to me and comforted me. A little testimony of Gods providence!

Divine Providence - Gods perfect care for you and me - is the theme of this small book (just over 100 pages). Surrendering to God is a challenging subject for many of us as we try to find our way in the midst of the perplexities of our world. The author, Jeffrey Kirby, draws on an ancient spiritual master to guide his 21st century readers through a 6 day personal retreat. Jean-Pierre de Caussade was a Jesuit priest in 18th century France. His writings only reached a wider audience after his death but are relevant to a wide Christian audience to this very day – particularly when it comes to “maintaining a supernatural worldview in the midst of hurt and doubt”, writes Kirby, himself a catholic priest. He did a great job in making him accessible in a new way.

Surrendering to divine providence includes, writes Kirby,
- Drawing close to God,
- Cooperating with his will
- Living in the present moment
- Fulfilling the duties of our lives
- Finding God’s peace in this world

All of these steps need our active participation and can be challenging… By inviting his readers to devote themselves for one full week to the subject of trusting God and his provisions, Kirby helps us to not just skim the surface. Each of the small chapters are accompanied by a set of questions that invite to reflect further on the theme of that day. He illustrates the with stories from his own life, which I found helpful.

The author probably wrote this book with members of his own denomination in mind, but even as to me, a non-Catholic, it was really insightful. At times I would have loved to receive more information on De Caussade and his writings. Only at the very end I discovered that Kirby had included excerpts of the original book in an appendix. Anyway, this little devotional deepened my walk with the Lord, as I try to rely on Him more fully, and made me hungry to go deeper on the theme of Gods Providence.

BE NOT TROUBLED

A 6-DAY PERSONAL RETREAT WITH FR. JEAN-PIERRE DE CAUSSADE

BY JEFFREY KIRBY



AVE MARIA PRESS

CHRISTIAN

PUB DATE 26 APR 2019





I am reviewing a copy of Be Not Troubled through Ava Maria Press and Netgalley:



Jefferey Kirby motivated by his life changing encounter with the 250 plus your old classic book Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade has created a spiritual balm and inspiration for those who have been plagued with doubt, anxiety and fear. In this sixth day devotional we are encouraged to let go of what we can’t control and to give it to God, thus discovering a deep serenity in the Lord God.



In this book Kirby tackles the question how does a contemporary person who is often forced to multitask and feels fragmented and torn in many different directions , who feels more connection through technology than with face to face interaction is supposed to feel closer to God.





In Be Not Troubled Jefferey Kirby draws on his years as a popular retreat leader and speaker to offer the reader the wisdom of Caussade distilled into a six-day personal retreat that equips you to embrace the present moment and shake fear from your min by recognizing the power of God.



Be Not Troubled is a perfect little devotional for those who are dealing with doubt, fear or anxiety.



Five out of five stars!