New book by L.A. pastor provides guide to ‘winning from the inside out’
If insecurities, regrets and unhealthy habits are hindering your well being, take a few tips from Pastor Touré Roberts to learn how to conquer those negative obstacles.
In his new book, “Wholeness,” Roberts offers a step-by-step guide to cultivating a rich inner life, which is key, he believes, to realizing external success and the best that God has for His children. Bishop T.D. Jakes, Roberts’ father-in-law, wrote the book’s forward.
“I wrote ‘Wholeness’ because I wanted to help people learn how to identify and ultimately overcome these invisible boundaries and barriers that keep us from our potential. Wholeness is the state of being complete and the process is like a perpetual heart, mind and soul makeover, with a better you emerging with every cycle of growth,” explained Roberts, who is the founder and pastor of The Potter’s House at One LA and lead pastor of The Potter’s House of Denver.
The book is filled with knowledge gained from Roberts’ personal experiences as a youth and young adult along with his observances and interactions as a pastor for more than 15 years. During these many encounters, he discovered that not only was he in need of wholeness, but also many in his congregation who appeared to have it all together were actually tormented by self-doubt, fear and other internal issues.
After conducting a self-examination, he charted a new course for his life that drew on God’s power to keep climbing towards wholeness. The steps he took, which can work for anyone facing brokenness, are outlined in the book’s three sections.
In part 1, entitled “Things We Tell Ourselves That Keep Us From Wholeness,” Roberts discusses how denial, anger and pride can delude people into thinking that they are already living their life to its fullest. However, embracing those qualities can prevent healing from taking place.
“The barrier is to assume that there’s no room for growth, to assume that there’s not invisible things keeping you from your potential,” he said.
Part 2, called “The Truth Shall Set You Free,” focuses on relationships and includes the five qualities Roberts believes that couples must possess before getting married. The qualities are chemistry beyond physical attraction, connection, wholeness, divine confirmation and a sense of purpose.
“If God brings two people together, He’s bringing them together because He has a plan for them that’s bigger than them. I think the individuals need to at least have some idea of what they’re placed on this earth for so they don’t commit themselves for life to something that they would one day discover would actually hinder their purpose,” said Roberts.
“God created each of us to be whole individuals. Relationships with the most potential are those with two whole people.”
The third part, named “The Journey Continues,” advises readers “that the pursuit of wholeness is a journey. In fact, it lasts a lifetime,” said Roberts. The book concludes with a wholeness test that helps readers to evaluate their progress.
“I think we are a work-in-progress, however I do think we can reach plateaus in certain areas where brokenness no longer has dominion and the best version of ourselves is at work. We’re going to be a work-in-progress until we see God face-to-face.”
“Wholeness” is available on Amazon.com, BarnesanNoble.com and youarewhole.com, which also include a free wholeness test and score.
