Emotions are such a mysterious gift. They take us to heights of ecstasy. They dash us on the rocks of despair. They can bind us together and tear us apart. They can move some to noble acts of courage and self-sacrifice and in others, they are the force behind terrible acts of evil and destruction.
Why did God make us this way? How are we supposed to manage this wonderful and mystifying gift we call emotions? In his new book "Why Did God Give Us Emotions?", author Reneau Peurifoy takes a detailed look at the many sources of our emotional responses and the role emotions play in our thoughts, actions, relationships with others and relationship with God. Peurifoy holds a Master’s in counseling and attended Fuller Theological Seminary. "Why Did God Give Us Emotions?" is a book twenty years in the making, based on Peurifoy’s focused study, counseling experiences and growing maturity in the faith.
"From the very start I’ve had two goals: I wanted to look at what science has learned about emotions from a biblical perspective and I wanted to do it in a way that would strengthen the reader’s walk with God," Peurifoy states. "Over the last two decades I’ve seen the strengths of science and psychology in helping people and making our lives more comfortable. I’ve also become acutely aware of the inability of science and psychology to address the true source of human misery: sin and our separation from God. I believe that God has helped me write a book that will be useful to many."
Peurifoy stresses the importance of recognizing how the individual aspects of emotions interconnect. He focuses on four main aspects of emotions: their subjective nature, their physical side, their mental side and their spiritual side. He then shows how each of these aspects must be addressed if true healing of emotional issues is to take place.
"Why Did God Give Us Emotions?" addresses topics like:
• Are some emotions "good" and others "bad"? • The role of medications in treating emotional problems • How our core beliefs affect our interpretation of events • How emotions are the true window into our souls • How to stop hiding from "taboo" emotions • What keeps us from hearing God • The role emotions play in becoming the person God wants us to become
There is certainly no shortage of counseling and self-help books lining the shelves of Christian bookstores today. "Why Did God Give Us Emotions?" is destined to distinguish itself from the rest. With simple, straightforward verbiage (no pop psychology terms here), practical steps to follow and twenty years of wisdom and insight, Peurifoy’s book is essential reading for pastors, counselors and those struggling with emotional issues as well as for the general reader who wants to understand this wonderful, yet often mysterious gift and gain skills for managing emotions more effectively. Also included is a section of discussion questions, making "Why Did God Give Us Emotions?" an ideal vehicle for small group study.
About the Author
After more than two decades as a therapist and teacher, Reneau Peurifoy has become a master at reducing complex ideas into simple, easy-to-understand terms and applying them to daily life. He holds a Master’s in counseling and attended Fuller Theological Seminary.
Peurifoy is the author of several books including "Anger: Taming the Beast", "Anxiety, Phobias and Panic: Taking Charge and Conquering Fear", and "Overcoming Anxiety: From Short-Term Fixes to Long-Term Recovery". He has also created several CD series including "The Relaxation Response Series", "The Changing Attitudes Series" and others designed for childbirth or surgery preparation.
His latest book, "Why Did God Give Us Emotions?", is a work twenty years in the making, one that draws on both his myriad counseling experiences and his own deepening understanding of God. Peurifoy was not raised in a Christian home but he was sent to Sunday school as a young boy to receive some moral training. After leaving the church, he tried several "truths" out for size—natural psychology, Buddhism and the New Age Movement. When he returned to the church as an adult, the Gospel finally captured him, changed his life and profoundly influenced his counseling practice.
"Over the last two decades I’ve seen the strengths of science and psychology in helping people and making our lives more comfortable," he states. "I’ve also become acutely aware of the inability of science and psychology to address the true source of human misery: sin and our separation from God." Peurifoy’s work is embraced by the many self-help groups and clinics addressing anxiety-related problems who have selected his books from among a host of others on the market as the basis for their programs. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), the nation’s primary organization for anxiety-related problems, has invited Peurifoy to speak at eleven national conferences. Peurifoy also has a wide range of experience in front of groups, addressing a wide array of topics ranging from stress management to improving self-image to sitting limits as a parent. He is a frequent media commentator, having appeared extensively on dozens of television and radio outlets. Peurifoy’s warmth and comfortable manner generate a strong rapport with audiences. Because he believes so strongly in the material he has developed over his years as a therapist, his excitement over sharing it is genuinely contagious.
Peurifoy was in private practice for twenty years (1980 – 2000) as a marriage and family therapist specializing in anxiety disorders. He retired from private practice in 2000 and is currently teaching at Heald College in Sacramento, California.
Description:
Emotions are such a mysterious gift. They take us to heights of ecstasy. They dash us on the rocks of despair. They can bind us together and tear us apart. They can move some to noble acts of courage and self-sacrifice and in others, they are the force behind terrible acts of evil and destruction.
Why did God make us this way? How are we supposed to manage this wonderful and mystifying gift we call emotions? In his new book "Why Did God Give Us Emotions?", author Reneau Peurifoy takes a detailed look at the many sources of our emotional responses and the role emotions play in our thoughts, actions, relationships with others and relationship with God. Peurifoy holds a Master’s in counseling and attended Fuller Theological Seminary. "Why Did God Give Us Emotions?" is a book twenty years in the making, based on Peurifoy’s focused study, counseling experiences and growing maturity in the faith.
"From the very start I’ve had two goals: I wanted to look at what science has learned about emotions from a biblical perspective and I wanted to do it in a way that would strengthen the reader’s walk with God," Peurifoy states. "Over the last two decades I’ve seen the strengths of science and psychology in helping people and making our lives more comfortable. I’ve also become acutely aware of the inability of science and psychology to address the true source of human misery: sin and our separation from God. I believe that God has helped me write a book that will be useful to many."
Peurifoy stresses the importance of recognizing how the individual aspects of emotions interconnect. He focuses on four main aspects of emotions: their subjective nature, their physical side, their mental side and their spiritual side. He then shows how each of these aspects must be addressed if true healing of emotional issues is to take place.
"Why Did God Give Us Emotions?" addresses topics like:
• Are some emotions "good" and others "bad"?
• The role of medications in treating emotional problems
• How our core beliefs affect our interpretation of events
• How emotions are the true window into our souls
• How to stop hiding from "taboo" emotions
• What keeps us from hearing God
• The role emotions play in becoming the person God wants us to become
There is certainly no shortage of counseling and self-help books lining the shelves of Christian bookstores today. "Why Did God Give Us Emotions?" is destined to distinguish itself from the rest. With simple, straightforward verbiage (no pop psychology terms here), practical steps to follow and twenty years of wisdom and insight, Peurifoy’s book is essential reading for pastors, counselors and those struggling with emotional issues as well as for the general reader who wants to understand this wonderful, yet often mysterious gift and gain skills for managing emotions more effectively. Also included is a section of discussion questions, making "Why Did God Give Us Emotions?" an ideal vehicle for small group study.
About the Author
After more than two decades as a therapist and teacher, Reneau Peurifoy has become a master at reducing complex ideas into simple, easy-to-understand terms and applying them to daily life. He holds a Master’s in counseling and attended Fuller Theological Seminary.
Peurifoy is the author of several books including "Anger: Taming the Beast", "Anxiety, Phobias and Panic: Taking Charge and Conquering Fear", and "Overcoming Anxiety: From Short-Term Fixes to Long-Term Recovery". He has also created several CD series including "The Relaxation Response Series", "The Changing Attitudes Series" and others designed for childbirth or surgery preparation.
His latest book, "Why Did God Give Us Emotions?", is a work twenty years in the making, one that draws on both his myriad counseling experiences and his own deepening understanding of God. Peurifoy was not raised in a Christian home but he was sent to Sunday school as a young boy to receive some moral training. After leaving the church, he tried several "truths" out for size—natural psychology, Buddhism and the New Age Movement. When he returned to the church as an adult, the Gospel finally captured him, changed his life and profoundly influenced his counseling practice.
"Over the last two decades I’ve seen the strengths of science and psychology in helping people and making our lives more comfortable," he states. "I’ve also become acutely aware of the inability of science and psychology to address the true source of human misery: sin and our separation from God."
Peurifoy’s work is embraced by the many self-help groups and clinics addressing anxiety-related problems who have selected his books from among a host of others on the market as the basis for their programs. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), the nation’s primary organization for anxiety-related problems, has invited Peurifoy to speak at eleven national conferences.
Peurifoy also has a wide range of experience in front of groups, addressing a wide array of topics ranging from stress management to improving self-image to sitting limits as a parent. He is a frequent media commentator, having appeared extensively on dozens of television and radio outlets. Peurifoy’s warmth and comfortable manner generate a strong rapport with audiences. Because he believes so strongly in the material he has developed over his years as a therapist, his excitement over sharing it is genuinely contagious.
Peurifoy was in private practice for twenty years (1980 – 2000) as a marriage and family therapist specializing in anxiety disorders. He retired from private practice in 2000 and is currently teaching at Heald College in Sacramento, California.