Facing the Blitz by Jeff Kemp

In life, like in football, a blitz is an unexpected attack hoping to disrupt the opposing team. Kemp experienced them on and off the field and shares what he has learned about surviving and thriving past them. The way we face a blitz makes all the difference, Kemp says. He wants to help us experience growth, not setback.

He gives three major strategies. First is taking a long-term view. He encourages having the mindset of finding opportunity in the experience. We may have to be flexible, letting the old dreams die. But God may have allowed the blitz to get us moving in a new direction. Second is being willing to change. He suggests taking a deep look at ourselves and accepting responsibility. He writes about relationships, being an investor, not a consumer.

Kemp excels in his third strategy, reaching out to others. He writes about our team and looking for the good in others. He advocates inspiring and elevating others (LIFT). He writes quite a bit about family and leaving a legacy.

Kemp uses lots of examples from football so this would be a great book for lovers of football. He also has stories of people he knows who have experienced a severe blitz in life and have formed a way forward.

He shares insights from his experience on the football field. He has great insights into performance based acceptance and rejection and ultimately finding our value in Christ. Other insights include the value of teamwork and how blitzes help us understand ourselves. His writing about consumers and investors was excellent. His section on humility was superb.

But Kemp doesn't leave readers with just good ideas. He also gives some very practical suggestions for action. He ends each chapter with questions for self-reflection and ideas for action. He asks some very thought provoking questions. Many of them would be helpful for someone anticipating a career change.

This is a very good book for anyone facing a situation that may seem overwhelming. A reader will enjoy this book the most if he or she is a lover of football, since that's the topic of many of the illustrations and stories.

Jeff Kemp has a BA in economics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Pepperdine University. He had a career in the NFL for eleven years (including the Seattle Seahawks - shown here), most years as a backup quarterback. In 1993 Jeff founded Stronger Families. In 2012 he joined FamilyLife. He is a popular speaker and is active in family and marriage strengthening. He and his wife live in Little Rock, Arkansas. You can find out more at www.JeffKempTeam.com.

Bethany House Publishers, 240 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.