Seeking Peace

"An absorbing chronicle of discovery" (Booklist) from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Reviving Ophelia and The Shelter of Each Other Like most lives, Mary Pipher’s is filled with glory and tragedy, chaos and clarity, love and abandonment. She spent her childhood in small Midwestern towns, the nurturing daughter of a doctor mother and a restless, jack-of-all-trades father. Later, as a wife, mother, and therapist, she was able to do what she most enjoyed: learn about the world and help others. But after the surprising success of Reviving Ophelia, she found herself overwhelmed by the demands on her time and attention. In 2002, Pipher experienced a meltdown. She realized that success and fame were harming her, and she began the long journey to a quieter, more meditative life that would carry her toward self-acceptance and joy. In Seeking Peace, Pipher tells her own remarkable story, and in the process reveals fundamental truths about our individual search for happiness and love. Candid, surprising and moving, Seeking Peace offers a map for our own journey toward a more fulfilling, more joyously lived life.

"An absorbing chronicle of discovery" (Booklist) from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Reviving Ophelia and The Shelter of Each Other Like most lives, Mary Pipher’s is filled with glory and tragedy, chaos and clarity, love and abandonment. She spent her childhood in small Midwestern towns, the nurturing daughter of a doctor mother and a restless, jack-of-all-trades father. Later, as a wife, mother, and therapist, she was able to do what she most enjoyed: learn about the world and help others. But after the surprising success of Reviving Ophelia, she found herself overwhelmed by the demands on her time and attention. In 2002, Pipher experienced a meltdown. She realized that success and fame were harming her, and she began the long journey to a quieter, more meditative life that would carry her toward self-acceptance and joy. In Seeking Peace, Pipher tells her own remarkable story, and in the process reveals fundamental truths about our individual search for happiness and love. Candid, surprising and moving, Seeking Peace offers a map for our own journey toward a more fulfilling, more joyously lived life.

In this inspiring memoir, the author of Reviving Ophelia explores her personal search for understanding, tranquility, and respect through her work as a psychologist and seeker. "There are three kinds of secrets, " Pipher says. "Those we keep from everyone, those we keep from certain people, and those we keep from ourselves. Writing this book forced me to deal with all three." After decades of exploring the lives of others through her writing and therapy, Pipher turns her attention to herself--culling insights from her own life to highlight the importance of the journey, not just the destination. She tells her own remarkable story, and in the process reveals truths about our search for happiness and love. While her story is unique, the basic map and milestones are universal--reflecting on her life in a way that allows readers to reimagine theirs.--From publisher description.

A Guide to Resolving Relational Conflict You have conflict in your life—we all do. You encounter it in your home, your workplace, your school, or even your church. All around us tensions exist and disputes persist. Offered here is a step-by-step process for pursuing peace in ALL your relationships and a tool you can use to help others. This guide is: BIBLICAL — relies on the absolute authority, sufficiency, and life-giving power of God's Spirit-breathed Word CHRIST-CENTERED — depends on the forgiving and empowering grace of Jesus PRACTICAL — provides concrete action steps, case examples, discussion questions, and suggested language to handle specific situations PROVEN — offers tried and true methods from a pastor, professor, counselor, and certified Christian conciliator who has led couples, churches, and Christian schools to make peace for nearly thirty years Packed with wisdom and practical techniques, here is a manageable book on reconciliation that will send you on your way to pursuing peace while helping others to do the same.

We live in a day and age characterized by an extraordinary amount of agitation and lack of peace. This tendency manifests itself in our spiritual as well as our secular life. In our search for God and holiness, in our service to our neighbor, a kind of restlessness and anxiety take the place of the confidence and peace which ought to be ours. What must we do to overcome the moments of fear and distress which assail us all too often in our lives? How can we learn to place all our confidence in God and abandon ourselves into his loving care? This is what is taught in this simple, yet profound little treatise on peace of heart. Taking concrete examples from our everyday life, the author invites us to respond in a Gospel fashion to the upsetting situations we must all confront. Since peace of heart is a pure gift of God, it is something we should seek, pursue and ask him for without cease. This book is here to help us in that pursuit.

In times of crisis and confusion, Dr. Charles Stanley has learned the one phrase that can carry him through: "God, You are in control." The peace he has experienced in life stems from that foundational belief. In Finding Peace, Dr. Stanley shares with readers how they, too, can experience an unshakeable peace which "passes all understanding." Filled with encouragement to lift the soul, Finding Peace offers insight on what causes us to live without God's peace in our lives, and how we can reverse course and open our hearts to receive it. Also, Stanley gives his perspective on the things that hinder peace-including the "Four Great Hallmarks of God's Peace" and "Five Essential Beliefs for a Peaceful Heart"-to put the important message of this book into concrete terms. Addressing regret, anxiety, and fear, Dr. Stanley extends hope for overcoming the obstacles that block peace with the Lord. Finally, he gives direction on learning to live a life of contentment.

Peace of mind is a place where few reside. It is where you can trust more and worry less, compare yourself to no one, love and accept yourself, forgive the pain from the past and grow from your losses. Filled with carefully crafted thoughts, suggestions and uplifting quotes, Finding Peace asks you to contemplate how deeply you believe in these four affirmations, which form the foundation for inner peace: Faith: I find comfort and support in my beliefs. Other-directedness: I seek to understand rather than be understood. Loss: I have experienced loss in many ways. It has enriched my soul and softened my heart. Finding Peace is for everyone looking to feel more comfortable with themselves and their situations.

Cries from the Heart offers an honest look into the lives of real men and women whose adversities were overcome through turning and listening to God, even if their problems worked out in the way they least expected. Ranging from the unusual to the ordinary, these stories may challenge you, but they'll comfort you as well, by reminding you that you're never truly alone, and that even the worst anguish can be overcome by the healing power of inner peace.