Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite

Many years ago, I led a marriage retreat based on the animal personality test developed by John Trent. After learning how to understand each other, their children, and their friends, the couples raved about the assessment. Pamela A. Taylor has done a masterful job presenting the benefits of this method in Personality and Jesus: Understand, Embrace, and Live with Your God-Given Personality. During my 40-plus years of pastoral marriage counseling, I have used the Lead from Your Strengths assessment with an untold number of couples. I wish I had this book previously to share with my clients as it would have made my job easier. After reading this book, you will be able to identify whether you are a beaver, golden retriever, otter, or lion. Being a lion, I had to learn how to understand my wife, a golden retriever. A lion’s growl is not the best way to deal with a golden retriever.

Pamela A. Taylor does more than just explain the Lead from Your Strengths method. Instead, she gives concrete examples of people who have had their lives changed by applying the principles presented. One example cautions that it is futile to compare yourself to others because God has created you to be the person you are and for the unique position where He intends to use you. Therefore, learning what makes us tick (our personality) allows us to fully honor God by doing His will, His way, and His timing. Suppose a golden retriever tries to fill the role that requires a lion’s personality. In that case, the result will be poor, if not a downright failure. Personality and Jesus is the best book I have ever read on this subject. I highly recommend that you buy it, read it, and put it into practice.