What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do – book review

What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do: 8 Principles for Finding God’s Way is a short-but not-so-short book designed to help people who are overwhelmed by life. It speaks to addiction and to life situations, especially relationship issues. The book has eight short chapters and some very good bonus material. Cloud and Townsend give solid, clear advice on how to cut through the emotional fog of addiction and relationship problems. That’s the short part.

The not-so-short-part is that the authors’ clear, solid advice comes in eight overarching principles, nine qualities and characteristics of good company to keep, six tips for leaving the past behind, seven areas to take charge of one’s life, nine facets of life that God should lead, and three principles to begin one’s journey (with a subset of “ten key reminders” in how to get it all done). I just got overwhelmed. Again.

To be fair, everything Cloud and Townsend say is good. Really good. Their real life illustrations are compelling. Their advice is theologically and psychologically sound. The layout and design of the book are inviting and bring clarity to the overall message. But the eight principles turn into, if I’ve counted correctly, fifty-four things a person needs to do to gain clarity in their dire situation.

I need a Xanax to finish the review.

Should you buy this book? If you’re a counselor and want a good overview of the counseling process in a 134 short pages, you should buy the book. If you’re a person who’s facing a personal crisis that’s overwhelmed by life, start with a good counselor.