Choosing to Live the Blessingh: Bring the Gift of Light and Life to Every RElationship

Called to Bless. Called to Choose. Called to Give.

We are called to be a blessing. The apostle Peter reminds us that we should, "... not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with a blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing" (1 Peter 3:9 NIV).

But being a blessing--living out the blessing of God--is not merely our calling. It is also our choice. It's a choice we need to make daily with regard to our past and with regard to each person who comes across our path.

But how do we choose to bless, when the events of our past evoke emotions of failure, shame, or deep disappointment? How can we bless the people around us today when their actions make us want to respond--not with a blessing, but with a curse?

With tenderness and honest vulnerability, John Trent shows us how we can face the painful pictures of our past and choose to live--and give--God's blessing. With poignant vignettes from Scripture, from the lives of everyday people, and from his own struggles to face a painful, disappointing past, Trent paints a vivid picture of the powerful impact of choosing to bless those around us. And he reminds us that the blessing is not just a gift we receive from God. It's a gift we called to give every person.

John Trent, Ph.D., is a licensed professional counselor in private practice and the president of Encouraging Words, a ministry committed to strengthening marriage and family relationships. In addition to an extensive speaking ministry (including regular engagements with Promise Keepers and frequent appearances on “Focus on the Family”), Dr. Trent has authored and co-authored (with Gary Smalley) more than a dozen award-winning and best-selling books, including The Blessing, LifeMapping, and The Language of Love. Dr. Trent has also been featured as the host and speaker at Focus on the Family “Heritage Builders” seminars.