Break Through

By: Tim Clinton and Pat Springle
Hardcover: 279 pages
Publisher: Worthy Publishing
Published: May 22, 2012
Price: $19.99
Language: English ISBN-10: 1617950734
ISBN-13: 978-1617950735
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Sample Chapter

Description

“Well he does have a good side.”

“You know, it’s probably my fault.”

“She’s had a rough life. I need to cut her some slack.”

When you really care about someone, it’s easy to get stuck in painful, even destructive patterns — caving in to a spouse’s manipulation, ignoring a live-at-home son’s irresponsibility; not confronting a friend’s addiction. We excuse people again and again, and then kick ourselves for not setting better boundaries. But this important book, with its transformational tools and insightful illustrations from leading Christian counselor Tim Clinton and noted author Pat Springle, will guide you in not only breaking through to better relationships but making big changes for the better.

With their expert principles for learning to say yes when you want to and no when you need to, you’ll discover how to give up your need to please, rescue, fix, or control anyone else. Leave others’ unrealistic expectations behind. Speak hard truth to those who have hurt you. And exchange harmful relationship habits for healthy ones. Here is expert advice you need for knowing when to give in and how to push back for the best life you can have with the people you love most. Check out the video here:

Review

Break Through is an insightful and helpful book written for anyone who struggles with co-dependency. This book reminded me of another book I read and have recommended to many people, Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. However, Break Through goes deeper into defining what loving well looks like in relationships. Many of us believe we are loving others when we really aren’t. We think we are being helpful, when we’re actually not. This book helps expose the true dynamics in relationships. Whether the relationship is with a spouse, parent, friend or co-worker.

I loved this entire book, but my favorite chapter is five: “Dismantling Our Idols.” This chapter really opened my eyes to the function of idolatry in relationships. I was surprised by what I learned. Dr. Tim Clinton mentions the role in which parents play into these unhealthy dynamics. Parents frame how we relate to others. We mirror their example, whether it is functional or dysfunctional.

I found this book especially helpful because I’m a parent. I don’t want to pass along any of these learned behaviors, dysfunctional patterns or toxic functioning on to my children. Break Through gives good examples and teaches you how not to do that. Dr. Tim Clinton writes with sensitivity and compassion. He is not preachy nor does he condemn. He demonstrates grace to his readers and encourages that breaking free is attainable. If we do the work, we are guaranteed a breakthrough.

I highly recommend this life changing book. I believe everyone can benefit from it, I know I did. In conclusion, I want to thank Worthy Publishers and Handlebar Marketing for sending me a complimentary copy of this book to review.

Author

Dr. Tim Clinton, LPC, LMFT, is president of the nearly 50,000-member American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and founder of Light University Online, which has over 160,000 students enrolled. He is also the professor of counseling and executive director of the Center for Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University.

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