Book Review of True North by Gary Heim and Lisa Heim

How do you respond to adversity? How do you act when things do not go your way? Are you a different person when you get frustrated that you are when you feel in control? Are you led astray to unhealthy actions and attitudes when things do not go your way?

True North is a new book that discusses how we deal with disappointments and frustration in our lives. Whether the issue is small or big, how we deal with not getting what we want when we want it effects our quality of life. Our attitude in this regard determines what kind of friends we are going to have, how we are going to see ourselves, and whether we see our lives as blessed or doomed.




Furthermore, our attitude toward these kinds of situations effect our spiritual lives and our relationship with God. It is our relationship with God in the midst of heartache and frustration that True North focuses in on.

The term "true north" is a metaphor for Gary and Lisa Heim. North is a direction of a healthier, more honest, and more intimate relationship with Jesus. "Going south" is a metaphor of a movement toward self-centeredness, unhappiness, ingratitude, and away from a close, powerful, meaningful relationship with God.




The Heims have clearly alliterated all of their points for living a "true north" lifestyle. It means avoiding grumbling and complaining. Avoiding "going south" also means abandoning habits of grasping for control or power in ways that sabbotage our lives and our relationships.

Instead of getting trapped in the grumbling and grabbing cycle, True North suggests a different way of living. That way of live is defined by a different cycle of recieving God's grace and gift of new life, and then living a life of gratitude and giving. As one gives and recieves grace, one finds a new way of looking at life that has an eye open for goodness and blessing instead of envy and disappointment.

This book is informative for church leaders and counselors. It also has the power to transform lives and communities of faith. Besides this, it also has the potential to be a text for pastoral counseling at bible colleges and seminaries. It is through, well-thought out, and easily understood. It also has several real life illustrations of their points which bring the method from theory and into the real world.