Unstuck: A nine-step journey to change that lasts

We all become stuck in our Christian life at some point, struggling with the same old sins and wrong behaviours. We know that Jesus died for our sin, but so often we fail to see how that incredible truth affects our everyday struggles. Tim's short readable book brings great help, hope and encouragement for such occasions. By pointing us back to the Lord Jesus, he helps us work out step by step who we are and what is going on in our hearts in response to our circumstances and then how to change in light of the gospel. I have found the book personally helpful and can’t wait to walk others through it. I believe it will help them become “unstuck”, overcoming their struggles, as they focus on Jesus and begin living as He intended us to.

If this book were Chapter 1 alone, it would be worth more than the price.Dr. Lane, as always, helps us see how the good news and ongoing work of Jesus Christ applies to every possible and potential aspect of our broken, sinful, and suffering lives - from the darkest of psychiatric conditions to the most painful relational problems. The personal application homework on pp. 24-25 is indispensable; it can be worked and reworked to find God's Words, in His Word, to us, applied to every broken situation we find ourselves in.When your identity is rooted in Christ, change is the logical outflow; this is the beauty of the gospel. We, as Christians, do not change ourselves so that we may find God's approval. His approval is given to us freely in Christ by faith according to Christ's work; and we walk *from* that security, *towards* new life. This book is a much-needed reminder and application of that.

Excellent book for helping when you feel “stuck” in life. It has been a wonderful guide in changing how I feel about “waiting on the Lord” instead of trying to work out things that only He can accomplish.

I love everything he writes. So easy to read, brief, to the point, yet deeply practical. I appreciate his emphasis on getting to know family background, the history of personal struggle, etc. I'll be using this a lot as I hand it out to people in my congregation when they ask for a helpful book on Christian growth.

I am usually leery of anyone who suggests that change is a matter of following some steps. Change is, of course, a process and so it does involve, in a manner of speaking, steps, but that language usually minimizes the complexity of making changes. On the other hand, some people speak of the complexity of change with such awareness that even their plans for change are complex. So, moving forward becomes complicated by the minutia. Some plans simply cannot be replicated because they are so "nuanced" and complex. Change must be simple without being simplistic, and that is a balance that Tim Lane has masterfully communicated in his book Unstuck: A Nine-Step Journey to Change that Lasts. This book serves as an accessible and yet comprehensive guide for personal change.Tim Lane is a practicing counselor, formerly of CCEF, who has written some of the most significant books in Biblical counseling literature (How People Change, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands curriculum). Unstuck is his latest work and combines his knowledge of both the Scriptures and modern psychological research. The book is grounded in the gospel and focuses particularly on the doctrine of one's union with Christ. It is from the basis of one's relationship with God through Jesus that change is possible. The nine steps focus on a progression from self-evaluation, through theological belief, to altered practice. Instead of simply addressing issues, or offering practical tips to cope or self-improve, Lane focuses on self-awareness and proper thinking as the core issues that drive behavioral change.Each chapter corresponds to one of the nine-steps. Each step is part of a progression and builds off of the preceding chapters. Readers will want to take the necessary time to work through each chapter in order, without skipping and skimming. The steps begin with a focus on our relationship to God. It is out of the grounding of our identity in Christ and the Spirit's work in us that we can move forward, and so Lane spends two chapters highlighting these truths to prepare us for the necessarily challenging work of self-evaluation. Understanding ourselves moves us into the realm of personality and emotional analysis. Here Lane capitalizes on the insights of modern psychology, helping us to explore our distinct personalities and the ways that we can use these personalities for good or ill. He also invites readers to look distinctly at their circumstances (history, upbringing, current life-situation, etc.) and our reaction to those circumstances. Ultimately he brings us in chapter/step six to evaluate our responses to these circumstances and pressures. "Ask the 'why' and 'what' questions" (83). The steps conclude by an exploration of the value of community, and our role within it. If much of the book focuses on self, the book does not end with that focus. We must look beyond ourselves as we seek to grow and change. The final chapter gives readers a case study in which to see the nine-steps played out in a real situation. While Lane gives solid examples and illustrations throughout the book, this chapter gives a step-by-step examination of the process.The book is an excellent guide to the basic process of change. It's almost workbook like format serves to practically engage the reader in each step. I could wish it were an actual workbook, with more blank spaces for interaction and more guidance on some of the points, but that's just a nitpick detail. The book is useful for both personal self-improvement and as a tool to be used in counseling. Unstuck is a great tool and while it avoids the simplistic it is entirely accessible to the average reader. I highly recommend this work. Like so many of Tim Lane's books, Unstuck is a robust example of practical theology.

Unstuck is a helpful step-approach book for those who want to find hopeful direction for the areas of your life you want to change or the bad patterns you want to break. The steps build on one another and give biblical direction for change. Helpful for the one seeking change and the one walking with those seeking change.