Book Review: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer is a rich guide, filled with personality and humor. Instead of feeling like Comer is condemning me for not being there yet, it read as an encouragement, an invitation to join him in these practices, as Comer once was stretched and stressed and overwhelmed and has now found a welcome balance.

Whether influenced by my time of life or the pandemic, this book resonated with me. Comer offers recommendations for how to resist the culture's pull for more, for busyness. Through discussing four practices (silence and solitude; sabbath; simplicity; slowing), Comer offers a rich read that had me marking up the pages. Practical suggestions that challenge and convict me had me pausing and reflecting.

One intentional act I instituted recently was to give up showers as much as possible, replacing them with bathing. I draw a piping hot bath, disconnect from doom scrolling, temporarily withdraw from my family, and take a book or magazine with me. I have determined this is a valuable, worthy indulgence, meaningful for my mental health. With the summer ahead, I have intentionally orchestrated a light work schedule, so as to allow wide swaths of time that have not yet been earmarked. I see value in the opportunity to slow down, to be more present in the moment, to delight in time outdoors. While I didn't necessarily take those steps as a direct correlation to this book, this book helps provide support for the pause, for the quieting from the daily rush, for allowing me to acknowledge how this has been a taxing season and how such a practice, of living an unhurried life, can reap dividends. I highly recommend this book for those who are feeling like it's all too much and are seeking ways to be revived and restored.

(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)