How People Change

Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp
New Growth Press (2006)
ISBN 0977080722
Reviewed by Vicki Landes for Reader Views (12/06)

Are you ready to change your life?  Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp have partnered up to prove that traditional self-help books just don’t go far enough to initiate that sought-after (and seemingly unattainable) change.  Grounded with heavenly teachings, “How People Change” doesn’t just tackle surface issues such as outward behavior; it reaches into the deepest depths to transform the very being of your heart. 

“How People Change” incorporates the why’s with the how’s – why Christians can worship, be involved at church, and still feel like something’s missing and how God’s grace can alter the path of self-debilitating actions.  However, the book conveys that true change is internal and that modifying how you think and feel will subsequently be reflected in external behavior and reactions.  Further, their series of ‘x-ray questions’ jar you into silencing your brain and listening to the true desires of your heart so you can determine what exactly needs to be done to make that change happen.  

Easy-to-understand and applicable to all areas of life, “How People Change” is deeply profound.  Lane and Tripp touch the heart and motivate the soul into positive action with an abundance of insightful statements that almost sing as you read them.  “God calls you to be dissatisfied.  You should be discontent, restless, and hungry!  The Christian life is a state of thankful discontent or joyful dissatisfaction.”  “The more you understand who God is and who he has made you to be, the more you realize that the Christian life is not an emotionless, stoic, existence.”  After all, getting to heaven isn’t just about avoiding bad behavior…there’s so much more. 

“How People Change” targets Christians who yearn for more or harbor disappointment for worship, their connection with God or their church, or feel they are doing right by God but still feel like something is missing.  Their worship practices and frustrations are broken down to reveal underlying issues and the best fixes for a much more holistic view of life and grace. 

“How People Change” is a beautifully inspiring roadmap for anyone not happy with the current status of their life.  Lane and Tripp not only write intelligently for the Bible scholar but thoughtfully simple for those still young in the faith and struggling with their understanding of God’s plan.  Insightful, profound, and truly reflective of Biblical teachings, this work is a must-read - a hearty ‘amen’!

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