God is More Than Enough: Foundations for a Quiet Soul

by Jim Berg

In God Is More Than Enough, Jim Berg offers practical wisdom for overcoming the stresses of life and finding God's peace. This book is for Christians who have reached the end of their own strength and are ready to take God's hand. As you read it, you'll get a closer look at the heart of God: His love, His mercy, His faithfulness, and His power to help those who are suffering. This book is adapted from the Quieting a Noisy Soul Counseling Program.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Counselling, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Psychology

174 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this one for a second time. It was just what I needed. It's amazing how quickly we can forget the truths we thought we already knew about God... and when we do, it has disastrous consequences for our souls and our lives. I will be referencing this one again in the future.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! I would highly recommend it! There were so many underlines and things I want to go back and look at! Whether or not your struggling with an idol or addiction, this book helps refocus on the priority of God and reminds that He certainly is more than enough!!

[Tom Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Berg is a good writer, borderline excellent writer. He can wonderfully combine great content, clear explanation, and helpful illustration. However in this book, he does not quite get there. There is nothing wrong. There is, though, much missing. It is just too short. In that sense, this book is a missed opportunity. Based on the his video counseling series, Quieting the Noisy Soul, he chose a few parts to turn into this book. I am utterly mystified why he did not turn the entire course into a book. It would have been staggeringly helpful. And much more permanent.

Having spoken my piece above, it is absolutely fair to say that what he does write is eminently helpful. He shows us how what we feel springs from what we think. Thus, our aim should be to discipline our thoughts. He traces anxiety/anger/despair to discontentment and discontentment to unbelief. He biblically roots all of our problems in a lack of or lack of an application of faith in God. Then he seeks to show us Who God is so we can build our thoughts on the right foundation - ergo, our emotions are under control. We have learned to still the noise in our soul.

This is a good book, make no mistake. It's just not good enough. He could have done better. And if he had, we would be the better for it.

[Deb Brammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely give a book 5 stars but this one is extremely helpful as well a biblical. Berg talks about how anxiety and anger are a product of unbelief that God is enough, that He is all he claims to be. He charts the course for changing our thinking in a way that will change our emotions and actions. He identifies flaws in thinking and shows how to change to alleviate anxiety, anger and despair. The last half of the book presents God in a fresh way that helps the reader love and trust God more, and in the process, quiet the disorder and anxiety in the soul. Berg is clear, practical, helpful, and encouraging. I plan to buy multiple copies of this book to share with family and friends. I've been a Christian 48 years, but still find fresh content and encouragement from this book I highly recommend it!

[Paige Cuthbertson| Turning_Every_Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Berg uses plain, straightforward language to show you how getting to know specific attributes of God can overcome depression, refresh a weary heart, and bring peace and quiet to a noisy soul. His applications and suggestions for personal Bible study and meditation are very practical. I highly recommend this book!

[Allison Anderson Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reminder of how the your thought patterns often can control the way you see life. I do think that depression is a real sickness/proclivity/problem that sometimes cannot be "cured" though. The way Dr. Berg approaches this problem and poses a solution is very Biblical though. Keeping a quiet heart and a knowledge of God's sufficiency is the answer to many of our anxieties.

[Caity · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspirational and helpful books I've read.

[Natalie Hetzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/5!!!! This book was a life changer❤️ stop whatever you’re doing and order this on Amazon😉

[Charity Rishel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do we really believe God to be Who He says He is? Do we believe His promises? Then our lives should SHOW it, and we can REST in the knowledge that God is MORE than Enough! I was greatly convicted and challenged when reading this book. I wish I could give a copy of this book to everyone I know.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the cliff-notes of a book called "Quieting a Noisy Soul" - which is only sold as part of a larger kit from BJU Press. At some point I'd like to get my hands on the curriculum and work through it, but this book works as a great summary of the spiritual principles it represents.
I highly recommend this one to readers who are struggling with anxiety, fear or anger. While secular therapy can offer some physical relief from the thunderous noise that threatens to consume us from the inside out - the one true, best answer for spiritual crisis is the love of Jesus Christ and the peace He offers us through a relationship with Him. After all, if He's the one who created us...shouldn't He know what really needs fixing and how to help us in times of difficulty.

[Marc Plazola · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a longtime student of biblical counseling, I have read a great deal of counseling books. Dr. Jim Berg's book is by far one of the best. When experiencing challenges, we search for peace by masking our problems—either through entertainment, distractions, or adventure—almost "as anesthesia to dull the pain of [our] emptiness" (5-6). By taking an Aspirin-approach to our problems, we keep God at arm's length, forgetting that "He is faithful...[only He] provides the way of escape" (1 Cor. 10:13).

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Update: this book is out of print. Unlikely I’ll use it for discipling unless it’s reprinted.**

Recommended by a friend who is a biblical counselor. (ACBC) The truths in this book are foundational, to the point that I feel like “ok I already know this”, but I’m considering it as a future resource for discipling because for newer believers it may not all be as familiar! Helpful questions at the end of each chapter.

[Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Berg has a great diagram on p 33 about "The Great Disorder of the Heart" (Unbelief) and the whole book revolves around it.

Ch 1-5 The Way Down (when we are bothered by the 'noise of our soul')
Ch 6-12 The Way Back (finding that God is more than enough)

Epilogue - Where to God from Here (an on-going discipleship program to encourage godly habits and disciples to counteract the noise of the soul)

[Julie Havener · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the first time for me to read this book. Dr. Berg so lovingly takes the truths of God’s Word and applies them adeptly to the problems the noise of our souls surrounded by the noise of our culture create. Do you struggle with depression, anxiety, worry, self doubt and the list continues? Then sit down work through this book it is a place to start to find rest for your soul.

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! Definitely one of those that I’ll keep on coming back to. It reveals the power of our thoughts and what we believe to be true of God and correlates that with how quiet our souls are.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource to keep on the shelf!
Noise comes in many different forms and sometimes when we feel God is silent, we are simply being too noisy to hear Him. Recommend!

[Taylor Sieberhagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some sentiments and principles I don’t fully agree with but I appreciate that he constantly points to God and finding rest in Who God is

[Lianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books. I have read in awhile. It points to the sufficiency of scripture for every need!

[Tirzah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was searching for a book that would strengthen my Christian life and I stumbled across this title. I had never regarded a soul as being noisy or quiet, but as soon as I read the synopsis, I understand from where author Jim Berg was coming. Currently, I am not going through anything overly stressful that would cause me to panic, but there are times when I do get sucked up in anxiety and fall under temptation of being discontent based on society’s standards of achievement, so I thought this book would be an encouragement.

It turns out that this book can be an encouragement to any Christian, whether they are young or seasoned in the faith. It can be an encouragement to non-Christians as well as it may inspire them to want to learn more about God. Berg outlines the book very well, making the content easy to follow. Part One is titled “The Way Down” and discusses the noise in your soul, its sources, the solution, and how to track when our souls do go down the path of despair. Part Two is titled “The Way Back,” which we can achieve by understanding God is enough in our lives. Berg states that in order to understand this, we must know Him and all His wonderful attributes. Berg then talks about God’s specific attributes of love, mercy, faithfulness, power, and wisdom. He ends with an epilogue that provides resources for those who may need further counseling. There are also appendices on how to become a Christian, further testimonies, his MAP method of meditation, and seeking God.

I can tell Berg is a counselor just by how he words some things in an emphatic and advising fashion. He is knowledgeable in the covered content as he cites other scholars’ quotes on contentment and God's attributes. He uses lots of Scripture and personal stories to convey his points. Berg says, “I believe that as humility is the root of all the graces in the Christian life, so contentment is the aroma of the collective fruit of the graces. It is the aroma of Christian maturity.” (p. 60) His mention of humility reminded me of a book I read last year entitled The Blessings of Humility. Written by Jerry Bridges, this book is also an encouragement for everyone and I recommend it along with God Is More Than Enough. They are similar in that they discuss humility, contentment, and grace, which are all important qualities that will help us move towards the path closer to God and help quiet our noisy souls.

[Bendick Ong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Berg's books are one of a kind. It's not for the fast reader who wants to get as much as possible from one corridor of time. It isn't even for a lone reader who desires to just spend sometime with God and with himself reading by the fireplace. Like his previous books, Changed into His Image and Created for His Glory, this book is more of a resource book ideal for group study and discussions, complete with reflection questions and further reference. Yet the fact that this book focuses on the necessity of a quiet soul does not go against its group study format. It is not about being withdrawn from good Christian fellowship but is asking us to take a step away from the cares of this world to meditate on the love and mercy, faithfulness and power of God.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always find Jim Berg's books to be excellent and refreshing. In this book, he gives a good case for why people "suffer" from anger and anxiety. We try to use physical means to solve what many times are really spiritual problems.

I would consider this book to be a Cliff Notes to his other two (incredibly excellent) works, Changed into His Image: God's Plan for Transforming Your Life and Created for His Glory.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has changed my life. From the way I think about God to the way I think about, well, everything else! My anxiety has diminished and my insecurities have been made secure in His character. All I need is found in Him. I have spent the past few months slowly working through the book and I think I’ll give it another read through now! I can’t often say that a book has changed me, but this book truly has. I am so thankful for Dr. Berg and the way he has pointed me to Christ.

[Andy]

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[Chris Nissley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read, great book!

[Aimee Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Reminder!

This was a wonderful read to encourage and challenge my heart. I highly recommend it, as we all need to refocus and evaluate our lives regularly.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to help you diagnose your sins and root them out by remembering the character of God.