Good book, better if you are married or have children, frustrating if you don't.

I've started and stopped this book many times. I had trouble connecting to it. In fact, I got rid of the actual book sometime ago, but decided to come back to it on my Kindle. I finally realized where I was struggling with this book.

But first, let me say there are some definite gems and strong points about "The Battlefield of the Mind". I can't explain enough that there is a lot of truth about thinking and how it takes us away from God and towards negativity. The second part is crucial, especially the definitions of doubt, confusion, and a wandering mind from a Christian perspective.

However, what makes it hard to read is that nearly every single anecdotal example and story is in the context of being a mother and wife, every single one. A lot of people who are struggling with "the battlefield of the mind" have dealt with trauma, abuse, discrimination, poverty, etc. Yet these are not the examples used. Instead, it's the endless struggles of a housewife, couple, or mother.

As someone who is neither married nor has children, the stories just stop being relatable. What's worse, if you are feeling unfulfilled because you can't have children or find a husband, you may actually feel worse. As a female leader of a church, I'm quite surprised that Joyce Meyer is not aware that there is life outside the home and church for women.

Finally, not to undermine the struggles of love and marriage, but the fact that there are few, if any, stories related to trauma or societal struggles is another disconnect. Now, granted, they may not be the struggle of a middle-class white American woman. But Jesus' struggles were not household struggles. In fact, the entire Bible is about oppressed people. I think Ms Meyer has to remember those stories.

Again, great information as a Christian, but like me, there are some people who may miss it because she missed us.

All Times Favorites

There are certain books that have stood the test of time and remain favorites among people of all ages. These books are not only relevant but also have the power to touch our hearts and minds. They offer valuable lessons, inspire us, and transport us to different worlds.

One such book could be a classic novel that explores the human condition, delving into themes of love, loss, and redemption. It might have characters that we can relate to on a deep level, making us feel as if we are a part of their story.

Another all-time favorite could be a self-help book that provides practical advice and strategies for personal growth and success. These books can empower us to take control of our lives and make positive changes.

Whether it's a work of fiction or non-fiction, an all-time favorite book has the ability to stay with us long after we've turned the last page. It becomes a part of our literary collection and a source of inspiration for years to come.

In conclusion, these must-read books are relevant to everyone, regardless of age or background. They offer a wealth of knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration, making them an essential part of our lives.

DNF at 75%.

I have to admit that while I did manage to glean some useful insights from this, a significant portion of it just seemed like complete and utter nonsense. It was nowhere near as good as I had initially hoped it would be.

I had high expectations going into it, but as I progressed, those expectations gradually dwindled.

The content that was supposed to be valuable often came across as convoluted and hard to follow.

It felt like the author was trying too hard to sound profound, but in reality, it was just a jumble of words that didn't make much sense.

Maybe I'm being too critical, but I expected more from this.

Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment.

I'll probably look for something else to read that might offer more substance and clarity.

While I didn't have a particular affinity for Meyer's writing style, which struck me as overly informal and as if she was overly eager to be on familiar terms with her readers, this was still a worthwhile read. It was a slow process for me to get through it as there was an abundance of content to absorb. Also, it's not the kind of book to pick up if you're seeking something light-hearted; her writing style may seem light, but the concepts presented in the book are far from it. Nevertheless, I'm glad I took the time to read it.

The sole reason it didn't receive a perfect 5/5 rating was due to the writing style. It was difficult for me to re-engage with it after a break in reading, mainly because of the rather "clunky" way Meyer employs words. Additionally, she can hardly be considered a literary figure in my eyes, as there were several uncaught grammatical errors. However, her ideas are firmly rooted in Christian theology.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning how to deal with problems from a Christian perspective. Roughly the latter half of the book is filled with ten "Wilderness Mentalities" - the reasons why the Israelites remained in the desert for 40 years instead of reaching the Promised Land - and she delves deep into explaining how they are still relevant to us today. I found this section of the book to be particularly valuable.

On February 11th, 2015,

I truly liked the straightforward manner in which this book was written.

It contained a wealth of practical and insightful information.

I suspect that my mind functions in a very similar way to how Joyce Meyers' did before she learned the lessons detailed in this book.

One of the numerous points that I highly appreciated was the idea that we desire our mind to be in a state of rest.

This state enables us to be led by the Spirit more easily.

This stands in sharp contrast to those times when we allow our thoughts to run wild, as they are sometimes inclined to do.

There were many other valuable nuggets of wisdom that I also gained from the book.

I sincerely hope that they will remain with me for a long time.

I believe that these teachings will have a profound impact on my life and help me grow spiritually.

I look forward to implementing these lessons and seeing the positive changes that will occur as a result.

I am grateful to have come across this book and to have had the opportunity to learn from it.

Since middle school (and now in college), I'd wake up to the sound of Joyce Meyer coming from my living room. Waking up aggravated, I'd usually get mad at my mom for her daily routine. (Sorry, mom.) As a kid, I used to believe in God. But as I've gotten older, I'm not religious; I'm more spiritual. And my final answer on the matter is that whatever is there, is there; whatever is not, is not.

In high school, I had this resentment towards Christianity. I used to have heated arguments (only on my side) with my mom about the God she believed in. However, as our lives changed and I grew, I started asking her about her religion in a respectful way. If she explained or wanted to talk to me about it, I respected it.

A while ago, she handed me this book. At first, I was upset, thinking she was trying to force me into her religion. But upon reflection, I realized she just wanted me to get an idea of her perspective and maybe these chapters would help me in my life. Now, as a very open-minded person, I finished this book in two days. Instead of God, I put it as the world, my guardian angels, my loved ones who have passed, or even the future part of myself that has been through the growing journey to better understand the book.

Thank you, mom, for sharing this with me. I love you and thank you for always being open-minded towards me and my growth. This book was very good. Even if you're not religious, put it through the mindset of what you believe, like I've said above. It really expresses a lot of challenges we face on our own and how to separate ourselves, reflect, and take a step back. Doing that is already the first step to being a better you, overcoming your challenges, and understanding the world we live in (through ourselves and through others).

My mother gave me this book, and it felt like some sort of passive-aggressive insult.

Let's not even mention the fact that this book has the most redundant title I've ever come across. Additionally, there are numerous proofing errors and the prose is generally of poor quality.

In the first chapter, she starts by telling me that some of my thoughts come from the devil. (And I quote, "The Devil," as Joyce Meyer would put it.) Fortunately, this isn't true. If I were to believe that, I would almost surely develop paranoid schizophrenia. Of course, one may have thoughts or thought patterns that are counterproductive and harmful. But seriously, can people really not take responsibility for their own thoughts? Do they have to blame them on an outside agent? This seems rather immature and also somewhat Zoroastrian. Are Christians even supposed to believe that their devil is as powerful as their god?

Meyer then ends the first chapter by saying, "Let's illustrate this with a parable." She proceeds to describe, over several pages, a fictional couple named Mary and John. Mary and John are miserable and generally not very likeable. Mary wants to be independent, have her own money, work, and make decisions for herself. Meanwhile, John is weak and lets Mary walk all over him. Literally, for several pages, she insists that these fictional characters have negative thought patterns and miserable lives because they don't conform to rigid gender norms. I don't know if Joyce Meyer actually believes this, but it makes me sad to think she might. I didn't read any further than the first chapter because I don't want to become any more depressed than I already am. This book truly made me shed a tiny tear for humanity.

I have gleaned several extremely useful insights from reading this book. Notably, the idea of disciplining the mind and "renewing one's mind" via Scripture. It fascinates me and also gives me a slight shiver to consider that numerous spiritual battles can be waged within our thoughts. Mostly, we unconsciously develop thought patterns.

Sometimes, Joyce Meyer's tried-and-true method irks me. I frequently have the impression that she believes everything that has been effective for her will work identically for everyone else. She doesn't seem to take into account different temperaments or personalities.

Overall, I believe she has addressed a problem that has not received much attention, and this book has been a welcome read. In this instantaneous age, where we form habits without much purpose or intention, it is crucial to return to disciplining our thoughts and uncovering how they relate to our actions.

I begin each year by reading this book. It is truly one of the finest books when it comes to mastering your thoughts in order to thrive in life.

It is highly practical and presented in Joyce Meyer's characteristic style, which is really transparent. I have a great affection for the way she weaves scripture together with real-life scenarios.

By doing so, she makes the teachings not only relatable but also applicable to our daily lives. The book serves as a valuable guide, offering insights and strategies that can help us take control of our thoughts and, in turn, enhance our overall well-being and success.

Whether you are facing challenges or simply looking to improve your mindset, this book has something to offer. It is a must-read for anyone who desires to live a more fulfilling and prosperous life.

I was truly trapped in a web of a negative mindset, self-hatred, and a plethora of other issues.

It was no easy feat to make my way through the book. It took me quite some time, but whenever I felt myself slipping back into my old thinking patterns, I would reach for it.

This remarkable book served as a wake-up call for me. It helped me to clearly recognize those harmful thoughts and behaviors and gave me the tools and inspiration to work on changing them.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through similar struggles. It has the potential to be a life-changer, just as it was for me.

Don't let your negative mindset hold you back any longer. Pick up this book and start your journey towards a more positive and fulfilling life.

As an author, I would not read her books again.

This book does possess certain good aspects within it. However, the fact that she is a pastor and some of her beliefs are incorrect is a significant concern.

Her position as a pastor gives her a certain level of influence and authority, but when her beliefs deviate from what is considered correct or accurate, it can have a negative impact on the readers.

It is important to approach her works with a critical eye and not simply accept everything she writes at face value.

While there may be some valuable insights or interesting ideas in her books, the overall package is marred by her incorrect beliefs.

As a result, I have decided to refrain from reading her books in the future.

I’ve mentally added this book to my “must reread every few years” book list.

I initially picked up the book with the intention of learning how to conquer my anxiety. However, I ended up learning an abundance of other things in addition to that.

This book is beneficial for every believer in any situation. The reason is that all of our trials almost always commence with a battle in our minds. Whether it's relationship problems, work problems, or faith problems, the root often lies in our thoughts.

If you are grappling with any kind of struggle (and let's face it, most of us are almost always going through something at any given time), this book will prove to be an invaluable resource. It will assist you in conquering your mind and guiding you through the difficult times.

It offers practical strategies and profound insights that can transform the way you approach and overcome challenges.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking personal growth and the ability to navigate life's difficulties with grace and strength.