From the Publisher
FOREWORD BY CHRISTINE CAINE It is not often that you meet someone and click from the first moment, but that is exactly what happened when I met Debra. Yes, we are both fiery Mediterranean women with a passion for Jesus and human flourishing, but it was Debra’s wisdom, insight, compassion, humor, transparency, and humility that sealed it for me. You too will discover this for yourself within the pages of this powerful book. When I became a follower of Jesus, I was desperate to live a life that was pleasing to God and to fulfill my purpose on this earth, all for God’s glory. But as well intentioned as I was—and believe me, I was as sincere as I knew how to be—I kept cycling in and out of seasons of defeat. No matter how hard I tried—and believe me, I tried—I could not seem to stop. Having been left in a hospital unnamed and unwanted when I was born, a victim of childhood sexual abuse, marginalized because of my ethnicity and gender, I brought a lot of baggage into my relationship with Jesus and with everyone else. No matter how hard I prayed, or how often I fasted, or how frequently I went to church or read the Bible, I could not seem to find freedom or healing. I could not break my patterns of destructive behavior. I had no idea that I had the power to control my thoughts and not yield to the demands of my feelings. I was left thinking that I would be stuck in these patterns forever. Finally, I got desperate enough to talk to a spiritual director who told me that the reason I did not seem to be making progress was because I was trying to modify my behavior from the outside in, rather than from the inside out. She explained to me that with the help of the Holy Spirit living in me, my history did not have to define my destiny. I could reset the trajectory of my life. That conversation changed everything for me and started me on a journey to health—body, soul, and spirit—that has lasted for 35 years so far. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself ” (HCSB). Did you notice that we are to love God from the inside out? Jesus focused on our hearts, our souls, and our minds, because that is where true transformation happens. We can try to modify our behavior, but it usually will not last because nothing has changed in our hearts, souls, and minds, which are the control centers of our lives. If our hearts are broken, our souls wounded, and our minds tormented, we will not fulfill the greatest and most important commandment. Moreover, we will end up loving our neighbors just like we love ourselves, and by that I mean not very well. Can you see how vital it is that we understand the importance of having a constant reset? I wish I had the book you are holding in your hands now back then. I cannot stress enough the importance of the 31 practices that Debra has unpacked for us. I found myself Amen-ing aloud every time Debra introduced us to a new habit with a short lesson and a practical activity, because after all these decades of following Jesus, I truly believe that the only difference between those who walk in the freedom and wholeness that Jesus has made available for us, and those who do not, is our willingness to actually practice these practices. Daily. There are no shortcuts, no quick-fix solutions, and I am grateful for a therapist who has not overpromised and underdelivered. Debra equips and empowers us to go deeper in order to truly change patterns, break habits, and find healing and wholeness. Enjoy the journey, and keep practicing until the practice forms a new you. With love, Christine Caine Founder, A21 and Propel Women
