Mansions of the Heart: Exploring the Seven Stages of Spiritual Growth

Very few books I dont like. Unfortunately, for me, this was one. Im sure the issue was me, not the author nor the topic. The seven mansions of 16th century Teresa of Avila applied into the 21st century should have gripped me. Yet as I scanned the past four-plus decades of my life as a Christian, I struggled to discern which of the seven stages of spiritual growth I have been in and when. I think the tendency for most is to think that theyre in the upper echelons of spirituality, no matter what their age or maturity. I liked the big picture of knowing Christ being presented, but honestly I felt the Teresian approach was too clinical or scientific for me.

This book came to me at the perfect time. God began to work in my life in a way that I had not experienced before. I was wondering what God was doing or if it was God at all. I didn't know anyone who could relate to what I was experiencing. Through overt divinely inspired circumstances, I became aware of this book and a pastor, 2000 miles from where I live, who recommends it. Reading Mansions of the Heart made clear how God was working in my life and it encouraged me to see God's hand of love in my circumstances. What I found was that God was drawing me deeper into a love relationship with Him. The author captured my spiritual journey accurately and I was encouraged by the mansions of spiritual growth in which I find still beyond the one in which I now dwell. This is an important work for those of us believers who desire a more personal walk with our God, and for anyone who is charged with shepherding the spiritual growth of fellow believers.