“Discernment does not change the challenges we face; it changes our ability to face them.” *
Hannah Anderson “All That’s Good”
About the book…
All That’s Good is a look at the lost art of discernment and how learning to develop and use this gift from God will enable us to glorify and enjoy Him better, despite the broken world we live in. In our current day, so often the word “discernment” is one people associate with a negative connotation. But what is discernment really? Is it pointing out all that is wrong with the world? Or perhaps, is it finding all that’s good?
About the author…
Hannah Anderson is the wife of a pastor to a church in a rural town of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is mother to three, and author of Made for More, Humble Roots, and All That’s Good. You can find more of her writing here.
Some personal thoughts…
Hannah Anderson’s first two books, Made for More and Humble Roots, were deeply convicting and encouraging to me when I read them a year or so ago. When I saw that she was about to release another book, my excitement was through the roof.
Then I saw the topic of her book: discernment.
My excitement only grew, because discernment is one of my favorite topics. It’s something that has been utterly lost today, misused and misunderstood at best. Hannah Anderson’s book is sorely needed.
Why discernment?
After receiving a copy for Christmas, I dove in. Each chapter was better than the one before, and my pen was underlining constantly. I loved how she opened by redefining “discernment.”
“Broadly speaking, discernment is the ability to sort between a host of options and pick what is good.” *
Hannah Anderson “All That’s Good”
She then goes on to explain why we need to learn how to use discernment.
“The goal of discernment is not to simply avoid the evil in this life; it is to learn what is good so that we might embrace and enjoy it.” *
Hannah Anderson “All That’s Good”
Think on these things…
She opens the book with a section explaining what discernment is, how one uses it, and why it matters. She addresses myths concerning discernment and makes a case that discerning is how we determine all that is good, rather than simply being how we point out all that is wrong.
Part two of the book delves into this well-known verse from Philippians:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8
Each chapter takes a closer look at what it means to be true, honorable, just, pure, and commendable. In so doing, Hannah Anderson teaches us to seek out these things in the situations surrounding us, thus developing a taste for all that’s good. Or developing discernment.
The last section of her book examines what life looks like when we start using discernment in our lives, and why we can’t discern alone. We need the church.
All in all, Anderson’s book was clarifying, encouraging, convicting, and inspiring. I’m deeply grateful for it. May we all seek that which is good.
Things worth mentioning…
Anderson is clear and concise, using discretion even while discussing things like sexual abuse and purity in chapter seven. I highly recommend this book to all interested in developing the gift of discernment.
Here at The Corner Shelf, you’ll find All That’s Good on The Top Shelf.
*from All That’s Good by Hannah Anderson. Copyright Moody Publishers 2018.
The Corner Shelf 
This sounds like a really good book! I’ll have to hunt down a copy 🙂 It’s good to hear about a book about discernment that talks about developing a taste for what’s good rather than just calling out everything that isn’t 🙂
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It was SUCH a refreshing read! So often I’m afraid we easily find critical spirits when we hear a heavy emphasis on “discernment” but this book was just he opposite—humbling, and just the conviction and encouragement I needed!! I hope you enjoy it!
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