Review of:  All My Friends Have Issues

Amanda Anderson.  Thomas Nelson, $17.99 (208p) ISBN 978-1-4002-0857-9

Popular Bible teacher, blogger, and founder of Heart in Training speaking ministry, Anderson brings Christian women a guide for forming and maintaining biblically healthy friendships.  She suggests that three key foundations help cultivate meaningful connection:  authenticity [pp. 3-68], encouragement [pp. 71-115], and accountability [pp. 119-169].  Anderson looks at the difference between authenticity and intimacy and advocates spending time together in person to earn mutual trust [pp. 3-26].  Artifice and perfectionism prevent true relationship between flawed human beings [pp. 39-52], and self-awareness is key [pp. 27-38].  Anderson cautions readers to have wise discernment when entering into close friendships, and to use the scriptures as a guide [pp. 45-49].  Healthy conflict resolution involves both the ability to apologize sincerely and to gracefully forgive [pp. 53-68].  While American culture often pits women against one another in comparison and competition, in Christ all have equal value and therefore healthy friends encourage each other in their unique gifts [pp. 90-103].  They also practice accountability by calling each other out in biblically defined sin and fostering restoration to God’s standard [pp. 119-132].  Anderson urges readers to pray for themselves, pray for their friends, and to boldly pray together [pp. 160-169].  A Reader’s Guide is included in which the author asks questions to promote self-inquiry and authenticity, as well as a list of warning signals that may indicate a spiritually unhealthy friendship [pp. 170-187].  Written with humor and grace and rooted in Scripture, Christian women will find this to be a definitive resource.  Would make an excellent selection for small group study.  5 stars