Starved - by Amy Seiffert (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

We're consuming, we're filling up, we're taking in, but at the end of the day, our souls are still starving.

So many of us feel dissatisfied and empty―emotionally, physically, and even spiritually. Our lives are rushed, overflowing, and we're low on joy, fulfillment, peace, and purpose. In our spare moments, we turn to our phones, social media, and a million other little things, desperate for relief, but over time, these distractions become an unhealthy diet for our souls―uplifting us for a moment but ultimately denying us the nourishment we need. When we overconsume these imposters that promise a temporary boost but actually leave us weak and weary, we become anxious, fearful, and depleted. These addicting substitutes keep us coming back for more, never providing satisfaction.

But there is hope. We don't have to stay stuck and malnourished. We can become free of shame, disappointment, and anxiety.

In Starved, popular author and teacher Amy Seiffert shows readers how to stop ingesting spiritual junk food and offers simple and replenishing spiritual disciplines like:

• Using silence to connect more deeply with God
• Serving others to usher in the justice of God's Kingdom
• Sabbath to experience the true rest Jesus offers
• Turning to prayer to remain rooted in our identities in Christ

With warmth and biblical insight, Seiffert encourages us to put down our phones, set aside our pride, and let go of the hustle so that we can receive a spiritual diet change that will leave us delightfully content, spiritually healthy, and free to experience the goodness of Jesus.

Review Quotes

In this uplifting entry, Bible teacher Seiffert (Grace Looks Amazing on You) lays out a plan to achieve spiritual fulfillment. Readers are encouraged to tackle "spiritual starvation"--seeking meaning in human pursuits, rather than in the "true nourishment" of Christ's love--by trading off bad habits for a better connection with God. To that end, Seiffert dedicates a chapter to each of the 14 types of spiritual starvation. In "Starved for Connection," the author discusses overreliance on technology, recalling a moment in which she was so absorbed in sending emails that her son had to shout for her attention. As a result, she began setting aside phone-free time to "sit in the silence," which helped her better commune with God and appreciate her blessings. "Starved for Humility" features an incident in which Seiffert scolds her daughter for mishandling a hot iron--yet later forgets to turn off the stove, causing a minor kitchen disaster. This prompted her to cultivate humility by turning away from self-focused pride and toward God, offering thanks to the "giver of our talents, our treasures, and our time here on earth." Readers will welcome Seiffert's tried-and-true religious wisdom and find reassurance in the author's assertion that God's love can ease them through struggles of all kinds, from everyday annoyances to broader faith anxieties. Fans of Christian self-help will appreciate this.--Publishers Weekly