Stop Trying to Be Successful - Print

Stop Trying to Be Successful:
The Seemingly Illogical and Sometimes Completely Baffling Call of God

By Pete Portal

An invitation to redefine success through the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing love, depth, and authentic relationships over worldly achievements.

Benefits:

This book:

• Encourages readers to embrace a Christ-centred perspective on success.
• Challenges conventional definitions of success.
• Encourages prioritization of love and depth over efficiency and volume.
• Highlights the importance of authentic relationships over transactional interactions.
• Provides reflection questions for personal and group study.
• Includes access to a free small group video series.
• Offers discussion guides for deeper engagement.
• Inspires a renewed sense of purpose aligned with Jesus' teachings.

Features

• Reflection questions at the end of each chapter.
• Access to a free small group video series.
• Discussion guides for small group sessions.
• Personal anecdotes and insights from the author.
• Foreword by a notable Christian leader.

Soft cover, 208pp
1.52 cms H x 20.57 cms L x 13.72 cms W (0.22 kgs)
ISBN 9781641589628
NavPress (2025)

[Allow 4 weeks]

Description

Pete Portal challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of success in light of Jesus' teachings.

He argues that the relentless pursuit of success, defined by money, power, and influence, often leads to exhaustion and dissatisfaction.

 Instead, Portal invites readers to embrace a different kind of success—one that values love over efficiency, depth over volume, and genuine relationships over cold transactions.

Drawing from his experiences leading a church in Manenberg, South Africa, Portal shares personal stories and insights that illustrate the beauty and complexity of redefining success.

He emphasizes that true success is not about what we have but about how we live, encouraging readers to slow down and evaluate their lives through the lens of Jesus' life and teachings.

Each chapter concludes with reflection questions, making this book suitable for both individual contemplation and group discussions.

Additionally, readers have access to a free small group video series and discussion guides to facilitate deeper engagement with the content.

Stop Trying to Be Successful is a timely reminder to step away from the comparison trap and the world's many definitions of achievement.

Portal's message inspires readers to experience a life of Kingdom significance rather than meaningless influence, offering a renewed sense of purpose that aligns with the upside-down success that truly satisfies the soul.

About the Author

Pete Portal helps lead Tree of Life, a church in Manenberg, South Africa, running ministries among the vulnerable and marginalized. He is also on the board of 24-7 Prayer South Africa and spends much of his time building relationships across racial and socio-economic divides. Pete and his wife, Sarah, live with young men coming out of gangsterism and drug addiction, discipling them into faith, freedom, and wholeness. He holds master's degrees in Theology and in Theology, Politics, and Faith-based Organizations. His writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Times.

Contents

1. Introduction: Redefining Success
2. The Illusion of Achievement
3. Choosing Love Over Efficiency
4. Depth Versus Volume
5. The Power of Authentic Relationships
6. Embracing Obscurity
7. Faithful Presence in a Fractured World
8. Transforming Through Vulnerability
9. The Joy of Kingdom Significance
10. Conclusion: Living the Upside-Down Success
11. Reflection Questions
12. Discussion Guides