Foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada
Introduction: The Soaring Pays for the Thud . . . Or Does It?

1. Fact, Fiction, and Feelings
2. The Gift of Emotions
3. Why Do I Feel This Way?
4. Feeling Good
5. Emotional Emergency Measures
6. How Do I Control My Emotions?
7. Act to Feel
8. God’s Purpose in Pain
9. Godly Emotions for Life

Notes
General Index
Scripture Index

“I love a book that is both practical and convicting, and what better topic than a biblical approach to our emotions! With careful writing, these wise women walk us through the process of identifying our feelings, and then they show us how to profit from and guide them in a God-glorifying way.”
Nancy Wilson, pastor’s wife; homemaker; grandmother of seventeen; author, Learning Contentment

“This gifted mother-and-daughter team do it again! With striking clarity, insightful illustrations, and the wisdom that comes from walking with God, Carolyn and Nicole put to rest the ever-ready excuse, ‘I just can’t help how I feel.’ They teach us from Scripture why God gave us emotions and how to interpret what those emotions reveal about our actual beliefs and values. For anyone who has ever felt confused, guilty, or exhausted by runaway emotions, True Feelings is a must-read.”
Jani Ortlund, Executive Vice President, Renewal Ministries

“The best books are well-written, biblically sound, have universal appeal, and offer both penetrating insight and practical help. The mother/daughter writing team of Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre has given us such a book. Women are their primary audience, but nearly all the book is applicable to men. They’ll surprise you by showing how often the Bible speaks to the subject of emotions and thereby help you see fresh insights into familiar texts. Carolyn and Nicole are honest about the reality of negative feelings and avoid the simplistic, shallow, ‘turn lemons into lemonade’ answers. Emotions are a God-created part of each of us. They tell us what we value and move us to action. But like every other part of us they are affected by sin, yet can be sanctified for our joy and God’s glory. As every Christian can identify with this struggle, so every Christian can benefit from this book.”
Donald S. and Caffy Whitney, Professor of Biblical Spirituality, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, Family Worship; and his wife, Caffy

“True Feelings is an excellent book about the goodness and grace of God in the middle of our many emotions. Carolyn and Nicole consistently point us to God’s Word, and practical wisdom flows from every page. Read this book, and be reminded that the Lord alone is our help and hope, regardless of our circumstances.”
David and Heather Platt, President, International Mission Board; author, Radical; and his wife, Heather Platt

“What do we do with our feelings? Jesus demands that every facet of our life be brought into submission to his lordship, even our emotions. Yet few Christians think about just how significant our emotions are in our daily lives. True Feelings is a needed resource that is biblically sound and theologically faithful. Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre are sure guides for thinking biblically about our emotions as gifts of God needing redemption by the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
R. Albert Mohler Jr. and Mary K. Mohler, President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and his wife, Mary, Director, Seminary Wives Institute, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Through their careful research and engaging style, Carolyn and Nicole will leave you glad that God has given us emotions, less afraid of the more painful ones, more able to listen to what emotions are saying, and expectant that they can be refined and sanctified.”
Edward T. Welch, Counselor and Faculty Member, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation; author, I Have a Psychiatric Diagnosis: What Does the Bible Say?