I Quit by Geri Scazzero

Reviewed by Dale Lewis

"This title is for the Christ-follower who desperately desires to stop acting the part and be authentic in all that they say, do and think!"

Quitting something, anything, when I was growing up was frowned upon big time by my loving parents and what friends I had at the time. I, like many of you, was taught to be responsible and to persevere while weathering any difficulties. Straight up, I have never wanted to be labeled a quitter until now.

The author states, “When we quit for the right reasons, quitting changes us. Something breaks inside of us when we finally say, 'No more.' But it must be done for the right reasons, at the right time, and in the right way.”

Her premise is simply that biblical quitting is tag-teamed with choosing. When we quit those things that are damaging our souls or the souls of others, we are freed up to choose ways of being and relating that are rooted in love and leading to life.
Geri is transparently deliberate in her approach as she presents this necessary information. There is no sugarcoating in these chapters. Her words are a sweet healing balm and refreshing water to a hurting soul! There are many freeing statements within these pages including:

“When you understand you don't have a right to many of your expectations because they have not been spoken or agreed upon, you will find you carry much less anger.”

“When we land on a negative interpretation because we don’t have all the data, we bring down upon ourselves much unnecessary grief. This wrecks havoc in our relationships, leaving us victims or irresponsible blamers.”

I definitely wouldn’t toss Geri’s book into the abundant heap of shameless, self-help books the media tells us we need to live our “best life.” This title is for the Christ-follower who desperately desires to stop acting the part and be authentic in all that they say, do and think!

If we choose to live in reality, then we quit faulty thinking. We stop lying when we discover grace-filled, consistent means of speaking the truth. When we aren’t obsessed about what others think about us, we find sweet freedom in Christ.
As I soaked in her thoughts, I was introduced to some new terms, i.e. under and overfunctioning, personal freedom toolkit, emotional illiteracy and taking an Enneagram.

Now that I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed Geri’s insights in I Quit!, I will continue on this eye-opening journey by tackling the Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. (Maybe I should have read that one first!)

Dale Lewis now mans the front desk at the EFCA (The Evangelical Free Church of America) National Office in Minneapolis, MN. He was the graphic designer/pre-press production artist for over twelve years before being asked to step into this new role. Prior to that, he was the publications manager at his alma mater, Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN in the public relations office as well as the adviser to the college’s yearbook. He's a director/actor/writer for the Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) adult drama worship team and was the senior editor of the church newsletter. He's also written two collections of poetry, “Whispers of Assurance” and “On Life: Constant Communion Without Ceasing” as well as a devotional entitled “Eternal Education.” He and his family live in Oakdale, Minnesota.