In Chapter 1, Paul Tripp wrote about the greatest problem that we face every day. The greatest problem is not outside of us but inside of us namely our sinful hearts. He gave real-life examples of how sin affects the way we live. He also expounded on the consequences of sin in our lives. That is why, we need a Redeemer who will rescue us from ourselves. Fools become wise by relying on His wisdom. Self-absorbed people become humble by being awe-struck by His grandeur. Autonomous people become submissive when they realize that God’s boundaries are the safest place to be. All of us are helpless and hopeless that is why all of us need Jesus. Let us share Jesus to others. In Him alone is lasting change. In Him alone is true rescue not just from sin’s penalty but also from sin’s power.
In Chapter 2, I am reminded of the 3 amazing overarching themes of Scripture, namely: sovereignty, grace, and glory. As we minister to others using the word of God, we should be grounded in these 3 overarching themes. The sovereignty of God reminds us that God is in control of everything. Therefore, we need not establish our autonomy. We should be daily dependent on Him. The grace of God reminds us that we do not deserve anything. We should be gracious people who have experienced the grace of God. People always fight because we think we are entitled to something. Lastly, the glory of God reminds us that we should not be on center stage. It reminds us to deflect glory to Him rather than rob Him of the glory due to His name. Living a life in light of God’s sovereignty, grace, and glory will make us dependent, kinder, and humbler people.
In Chapter 3, I have learned 3 important things about us, namely that we are: revelation receivers, interpreters, and easily blinded by sin. God made us to live in a way that is dependent on His revealed truth. We can never live a life designed by God without it. We are also interpreters. We act out responses in accordance to our interpretation. That is why, we should be soaked with the word of God and not listen to other competing voices that spurt out lies into our hearts. Lastly, because we are still blinded by sin, we need the ministry of others to help us who we truly are and where we have erred. We need each other every day to prevent our hearts from being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. In light of that, we need to humbly and patiently point out sins in the lives of others and also exude an aura of approachability so that others would not be intimidated to point out sin in our lives.
In Chapter 4, I am reminded that the goal of counseling is not about behavior modification but heart transformation. We should be vigilant to whatever rules our hearts because what rules our hearts inescapably influences everything we think, say, feel, and do. In this chapter, Tripp mentions two analogies, that of trees and that of treasure. The bad tree produces bad fruit. In the same way, our behavior is a result of our innermost being which is our heart. What we treasure also directs our lives. So, it’s important to value God above all so that we would also have God-directed hearts. This chapter is practical because it reminds us to look out of the things that capture our hearts. It points us to the root of the problem rather than the fruit. May our hearts be ruled and captured by our awesome God alone.
By grace alone 