We Need to Think More Like Jesus

What does it take to be a disciple? I don’t mean some quasi-contemporary feel good disciple. I mean a TRUE disciple of Jesus Christ. It means keeping emotions in check. It means forgiving when necessary even when we don’t want to. In short it means approaching every situation we face in life with the mind of Christ. Easier said then done but thankfully…….there’s a book for that. Thinking Like Jesus: The Psychology of a Faithful Disciple serves as a roadmap for modern day Catholics on how to be the disciples each of us is called to be.

In the thirty-six chapters of the book, Dr. Ray Guarendi draws upon his decades of experience as a psychologist to provide examples on how each of us can attain the goal of being a true follower of Christ. To be a disciple it takes more than lip service….much more. We must actually DO the work that Jesus laid out before us and follow the example he provided.

Dr. Ray takes a look at common things many of us face today. Scenarios such as how to approach situations if we are easily offended, how to speak your mind without letting your emotions get the better of you in the process, how to let people know they have upset you without resorting to nastiness, and how to instill moral values in our children without them resenting you. What follows are a few snippets of wisdom from the books to give you a taste of what to expect.

“The appetite for gripping can always find food to feed it. Earth may not be heaven, but it is still God’s gift. The more I complain, the more I’m telling God I don’t appreciate His gifts.”

“You never have to apologize for what you didn’t say. Catholics know, too: You never have to confess what you didn’t say.”

“Few people are so disturbing as to need to be erased from one’s life. Calling someone “toxic” is  a call to look at oneself. Do I have room to improve myself when around him? If so, while I still might not like being around him, I will no longer thank my best option is not to be around him.”

Thinking Like Jesus is exactly the book we need today. As we face a culture continually pressing in on us trying to tell us how we should think, we need some clarity. Dr. Ray provides in this book ways to address the daily obstacles we face in ways that are rooted in the Catholic faith. He does so with his signature frankness and humor that makes this book a pure delight to read.