Safe and Sound

By all accounts David Powlison was a wonderfully sincere and knowledgeable Christian counsellor whose life’s work and intention was to share the most important aspect of his life with other Christians who may find themselves in similar positions to him.
This was his last book, and it shows in the keen, earnest and occasionally blunt manner of his writing.
This is a man who has important truths to tell and not much time to tell them.

Counselling may not be everyone’s area of everyday experience but there is much for any Christian to glean from this short book no matter what their situation. And with very personal examples (particularly in the final chapter) and many practical perspectives all based in scripture, this is not simply an academic publication, it is as much a ‘spiritual handbook’ for life.

This is a very comprehensive and Biblical look at spiritual warfare, emphasizing Ephesians 6. The author starts with what warfare is, and then moves forward to applying the teaching of warfare in different situations. From what I've read, the author recently passed away and this body of work was left behind as a resource to the church. I agree with that assessment that it was written for those in authority who need to know more about spiritual warfare. The information is rich and accurate, but I felt written for pastors and those in leadership.

I definitely recommend Safe and Sound with the caveat above. If a lay person wants basic, starting information about spiritual warfare, this might be a bit overwhelming.

I received a copy of Safe and Sound from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated.

This book was excellent. I mean excellent. I am so thankful for the reading of this and how it pointed out the reality of the spiritual battle that we face and why it is critical for us to put on the full armor of God. Anything that this man writes is worth reading, he just has a way of addressing real issues with clarity. I will miss him and his knowledge and pray that another like him will pick up the baton and carrying on with knowledge in the area of emotional and mental awareness. This is a must read.

This is a book for counselors. It is about how to help people stand up to evil. Many Christians do not understand they are in a spiritual battle, that it is an everyday part of every Christian's life.

Since the term, spiritual warfare, does not appear in the Bible, Powlison explores what it means. He identifies three areas: being on the Lord's side in battle with His enemies, the moral struggle in our hearts, and the struggles in our Christian life, including lordship.

Powlison reviews the armor Paul lists in Ephesians. He had some insights I've not seen before, relating the pieces of armor to counseling. Truth, for example, refers to the lies of the world, the devil, and our own hearts. They could be lies about God or about others. Counselors help uncover the lies and apply the truth of Scripture. Righteousness embraces not only our salvation but also living out that righteousness in how we treat others – doing right and good.

An Appendix in included regarding demons and exorcism, downplaying them both. This seemed like it might be a controversial issue to me. Counselors who want to have nothing to do with confronting demons will like this Appendix.

I am not a counselor but I learned a great deal from this book. Counselors and pastors would do well to read it. While you may not agree with everything in the book, there are many insights about helping others in spiritual warfare included.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

My Thoughts:
I’ve met people who believe every bad thing that happens in life is because of spiritual warfare. This includes physical battles like cancer or other diseases. I believe bad things happen because we are imperfect humans and live in an imperfect world. But to go so far as to say all bad things are because of spiritual warfare, I’ve paused at that. This has been a good book to read. It’s good, because it’s made me think and consider something I may have been wrong about.
This is the first book I’ve read by David Powlison. I’ve read short books written by him. I’ve watched videos of him teaching on a counseling topic. The first thing I notice is his humility. He is also a person who is wise and purposeful about his speech. I admire people with these character traits. It makes me want to lean in closer to listen.
Some examples of points he made that were important:
•Every moment of our life is spent in a battle for lordship of our lives. Who we will serve?
•Satan’s attacks are untruths about God.
•The main Bible passage is Ephesians 6:10-20, but other passages are used. For example, John 8:43-44; 1 John 5:19; Ephesians 2:1-3; Isaiah 59; 2 Peter 1:1; and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
•Anxiety is a lie. A lie about everything that we perceive as something to worry about.
•Thankfulness and gratitude is at the heart of the counterattack in spiritual warfare.
•A chapter on the occult and exorcism. “A person’s sins are dealt with through repentance.” He disagrees about the use of exorcisms. He believes in focusing on the heart of the person.
This book is deeply personal for Powlison. During the writing of the book, Powlison knows he has cancer. He doesn’t know how much longer he will live. In fact, he died this past June. He expresses that he had moments of escapism and he’s tempted to be discouraged. When a person is transparent about their struggles, we identify with them in some way, because we all have struggles in this life. I’m thankful for this book. I’m thankful for authors who share their tears.
Source: I received a complimentary copy, but was not required to leave a positive review.
https://impressionsininkblog.wordpress.com/2019/10/31/review-safe-and-sound-standing-firm-in-spiritual-battles-by-david-powlison/

As a pastor I often am called on to counsel. In almost every case, regardless of how strong a believer, I find strongholds or barriers that individuals are blind to. They do not see the warfare happening in and around them.
This book is a well written look for all who counsel or even just as believers who want to understand how deep the spiritual ware fare battle really is. The authors simple look at dealing with fear, anxiety, the occult and more is a refreshing look that is often ignored in churches.

Why do we think we can treat any issue with Freudian or Eriksonian thinking (Psychology) and not look at the heart and the way that spiritual warfare effects and hinders our reliance on the Holy Spirit.
This book manages the tension well between what some label as Pentecostal or Charismatic and the liturgical or cessation it’s view that often denies the battle that we can’t see.

Safe and Sound by David Powlison is a powerful book that looks at spiritual warfare. The first part of the introduction grabbed my attention immediately and from there I couldn’t put this small book down. The first few lines of the introduction say “ This is a book about spiritual warfare. You are in a battle. I am in a battle. And every person we counsel is—like us—living in a fog of war, stalked by a deadly predator, and facing a master of deception. When our hearts deceive us and our culture misleads us, Satan’s desires and purposes are at work.”
After the introduction Powlison walks the reader through the question “what is spiritual warfare?”
The book then looks at how to council in the reality of spiritual warfare.
I feel honored to have read this book knowing it was Powlison’s last contribution. This book was very thought provoking. I would recommend this book to anyone who ministers to others or to anyone who is suffering themselves.

This book is about how to help people. The complexity of the human heart, the complexity of cultural influences, and the complexity of the enemy. We must learn to fight well, how to put on Jesus Christ himself, wearing the weapons of light which he defeats the power of darkness.

The author David Powlison fought his last battle this year and died of cancer. He writes to equip others to walk along side those that are in the battle. Maybe you yourself is one right now. I would encourage you to pick up this book and learn how to use the word of God to fight those battles. How we get in the battle of depression, anger and escapism. It is our battles that bring us to our Lord Jesus and help us face the reality of life and ultimately death.

The reality of the battles we face starts with what we believe and how we respond. In walking with others, we can encourage others with the truth and strengthen our faith when we place our fear on the character and promises of God. Standing firm is not a one time and your done, it is a life long sanctification of our salvation.

A Special Thank you to New Growth Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.