Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

Joyfully surrendering

April 18, 2019 by Kristin 1 Comment

When I saw this book’s title and author, I knew I needed to read it: “Joyful Surrender” by Elisabeth Elliot.

I’ve been in a season of learning to live (more) faithfully. For me, that’s looked like letting go, trusting God to be in the details, noticing needs and meeting them, serving those around me, and recognizing the value of where God has me right now. Obviously, it’s been a process of surrender to the control I naturally I want. It’s a lesson I have to work on over and over again because all my ESFJ, Enneagram 1w2 ways are quick to kick in.

Then I noticed the subtitle of the book: 7 Disciplines for the Believer’s Life.

I’m glad this book caught my eye because it’s a breath of fresh air in this do-it-all, be-all-you-can-be culture. It’s like sitting down with a kind, wise friend who is willing to tell you where she’s been and what she learned along the way. Elliot writes about discipline, freedom, obedience, and sovereignty in conversational tones that draw the reader in and point to Jesus.

“We are required to take the risk, move, trust God, make a beginning. This is what Jesus always asked of those who came to Him for help of any kind. Sometimes He asked them to state their case (“What do you want me to do?”), to affirm their desire (“Do you want to be healed?”), and often to do something positive (“Stretch out your hand.”) before He could do His work. There had to be evidence of faith, some kind of beginning on their part. The first baby step of faith is followed by a daily walk of obedience, and it is as we continue with Him in His Word that we are assured that we are, in fact, called and having nothing to fear.” – Elisabeth Elliot in “Joyful Surrender”

Living faithfully has shown me the glory in joyfully surrendering. But I have a lot to learn and I’m grateful for this guide – the author, her words, and our Creator – to teach me.

About the book

In our age of instant gratification and if-it-feels-good-do-it attitudes, self-discipline is hardly a popular notion. Yet it may be one of the most important lost virtues of our time. In “Joyful Surrender,” former missionary and beloved author Elisabeth Elliot offers her understanding of discipline and its value for people of all times. She shows readers how to discipline the mind, body, possessions, time, and feelings; overcome anxiety; change poor habits and attitudes; trust God in times of trial and hardship; and let Christ have control in all areas of life.

Elliot masterfully and gently takes readers through Scripture, personal stories, and observations of the world around her to help them discover the understanding that our fulfillment as human beings depends on our answer to God’s call to obedience.

There are 14 chapters, which read like encouragement written from a friend.

  1. Created, Cared for, Called
  2. Discipline: The Answer to God’s Call
  3. How Do We Know We Are Called?
  4. Under Orders
  5. Grace, Book, Spirit – And One Thing More
  6. A Sovereign God and a Man’s Choice
  7. The Discipline of the Body
  8. The Discipline of the Mind
  9. The Discipline of Place
  10. The Discipline of Time
  11. The Discipline of Possessions
  12. The Discipline of Work
  13. The Discipline of Feelings
  14. Exchange: My Life for His

This book was originally published in 1982 and again in 2006 under the title “Discipline,” but Revell Books recently published this repackaged edition, which is a 176-page paperback book.

About the author

Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) was one of the most perceptive and popular Christian writers of the last century. The author of more than twenty books, Elliot offered guidance and encouragement to millions of readers worldwide.

*****

I got a free copy of this book to review from its publisher Revell Books. These opinions are my own. If you looking for other wise encouragement, I also really love reading through Elliot’s “Keep A Quiet Heart,” which is a compilation of devotional-type essays. https://amzn.to/2DhksHe

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: books Tagged With: books, faith, quotes, review

Trackbacks

  1. Stories from the Porch in April says:
    April 24, 2019 at 4:01 am

    […] “Joyful Surrender” by Elisabeth Elliot – I’m in the middle of this one, but I’m glad it caught my eye because it’s a breath of fresh air in this do-it-all, be-all-you-can-be culture. It’s like sitting down with a kind, wise friend who is willing to tell you where she’s been and what she learned along the way. Elliot writes about discipline, freedom, obedience, and sovereignty in conversational tones that draw the reader in and point to Jesus. (Read my full review here.) […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • 3 Ways to Boost Our Kids’ Confidence
  • Songs of Hope
  • Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.
  • Looking for fun, longing for Eden
  • How to make celebrations fun

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

Happy, happy 70th birthday to my wonderful mother- Happy, happy 70th birthday to my wonderful mother-in-law. We all are especially happy to celebrate her life this year after her recent quadruple bypass heart surgery and recovery. 🎉 #weekending #TeamTaylor #birthdaygirl
A new book by a favorite author is always a welcom A new book by a favorite author is always a welcomed thing, and @kristinhannahauthor didn’t disappoint. Plus it was my @bookofthemonth pick. 

#TheFourWinds is set during some sad years with the Dust Bowl, migration to California, and the Great Depression. Yet this is a story of hope and belonging. Hope kept a mom and her two kids going, despite circumstances that destroyed. Hope led to this mom finding her voice, recognizing her worth, and discovering love that lasts.

Follow #KHTreads for more book talk. #recommendedreads #fiction #amreading #bookstagram #historicalfiction #bookofthemonth
Seven weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery, Seven weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery, my mother-in-law moved home today. We were happy to care for her and we are thrilled she’s doing so well. 

I knew she was faithful and strong before, but watching her recovery from open heart surgery convinced me even more of her steadfastness and courage.

#TeamTaylor #livingfaithfully #reallife #choosingJOY
After three weeks, they’ve returned to school! H After three weeks, they’ve returned to school! Here’s to hope on a Monday morning for whatever comes our way. #momlife #reallife #choosingJOY #siblinglove
Often I don’t want the weekend to end or the sea Often I don’t want the weekend to end or the season to change, but I’m looking forward to Monday after three weeks of quarantine and sickness then snow. I’m looking forward to the snow melting away and eager for spring to bloom.

I’m grateful for health and family and home and a fresh start. A walk through the melting snow with the sun shining and temperatures in the 50s was a sweet spot today. So was gathering with friends we hadn’t seen in too long after church.

Just a few days ago I felt defeated and weary. Now I’m feeling ready and hopeful. Transitions can be rough, but ultimately I’m thankful for new mercies and new seasons.

#weekending #reallife #socialdistancing #countryliving #bettertogether #winterweather #springiscoming #choosingJOY #girlmeetschange #livingfaithfully
We’re sad tonight was the last #MurrayState home We’re sad tonight was the last #MurrayState home basketball game of the season, but we are thankful we had some live winter entertainment. Of course, games looked and sounded different than usual, but the season isn’t over and we’ll be rooting for our blue & gold. 💛 #WeAreRacers #RacerNation #collegebasketball #TeamTaylor #weekending #socialdistancing #thirdchild
We all benefitted from getting outside today. Hone We all benefitted from getting outside today. Honestly, I was so bundled up I got a little warm because somehow I now live where 30 degrees (that feels like 21) is a heat wave. These three help me remember to loosen up and enjoy the moment. ❄️ 

#momlife #snowday #countryliving #socialdistancing #choosingJOY #reallife #winterweather #kentuckyweather
I'm glad I was able to contribute to "Songs of Hop I'm glad I was able to contribute to "Songs of Hope (Vol. 2)", which was compiled by fellow writers @kerilynnsnyder & @sarah_e_frazer. This devotional spends 31 days in the Psalms. 

I share about Psalm 68 and how God built a sanctuary for me at our house in the country and how I want to share that with others. I end the devotional with these questions and a prayer:

"Songs of Hope" offers encouraging truth to bring hope to your weary soul. The devotional is a digital product so you receive the PDF immediately and can read it on any device.  There's a #linkinbio to buy this devotional and more info #ontheblog. #bloggerlife #authorlife #amreading #psalms #psalm68 #bettertogether #hope #KHTreads
I ended 2020 saying it had been a weird year, but, I ended 2020 saying it had been a weird year, but, truthfully, the first six weeks of 2021 have been weird too. Weird seems like a weak word, but I can’t think of another. These past six weeks haven’t been bad, have included plenty of great moments, and shifted so many things in our house. Through it all, my best friend Jaclyn and I haven’t gotten to hang out much.

I’m thankful Greg picked up her and her girls in his four-wheel drive truck yesterday after his short day at the office. We bundled up for some time outside, the kids had legit snow cones, we combined food to make dinner, and various people played various games. Jaclyn and her girls went back to their house this morning, but we are all thankful for old friends & new memories.

#bettertogether #winterweather #reallife #countryliving #snowday #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorite Places & Projects

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.