Info: Copyright 1994: Tulsa: Harrison House Publishing.
Rating (on a scale of 1-4 stars): ✮✭✭✭
Where Acquired: Library book sale purchase.
What it's about: Meyer uses scripture and elements of her own testimony of abuse and recovery to encourage the reader to seek emotional healing.
Favorite Quotes:
"We human beings pretend for the benefit of others, not wanting them to know about our misery, but we also pretend for ourselves so that we do not have to face and deal with difficult issues." - p. 28.
"God's love is the main factor in our emotional healing....If you can believe that God, Who is so perfect, loves you, then you can believe that you are worth loving." p. 38.
"In John 16:7 Jesus told His disciples that it was better for them that He go away to be with the Father, because if He did not go, the Comforter could not come. The Comforter is the Holy Spirit. In The Amplified Bible version of this verse He is called the Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener and Standby. During your recovery process, you will need to experience every facet of the Holy Spirit's ministry." - p 43.
"You cannot go beyond your opinion of yourself--no matter how many good things God may say about you in His Word. Regardless of all the wonderful plans God may have for your life, none of them will come to pass without your cooperation." - p. 75
"Unless you accept your value and worth by faith through Christ, you will always be insecure and unable to trust those who want to love you." - p. 86
"The pathway to freedom is not necessarily easy. However, pressing forward toward freedom is definitely easier than staying in bondage." - p. 151.
What I liked:
- The author didn't hide behind Christian clichés. In other words, her answer to everything was not "read the Bible and pray more." Yes, those are elements to healing, however, she also advises the reader to seek counseling, mentoring, and accountability to go through this painful process. In that, this is not a self-help book that advocates trying to conquer these deep issues alone.
- Meyer was very open about her own struggles and the work it took to become free. She didn't simply say, "Oh, I just prayed and it went away." Sorry, but it doesn't happen that way for most people. Not only was her advice biblical, it was also practical.
- Continuous navel gazing and digging up past hurts ad nauseam was not advised. I found in my own recovery that this is an area where many get stuck; we keep digging and digging up the past that we spend no joyous time in the present, thus never really recovering...just uncovering.
- Meyer includes a bibliography for further reading.
What I didn’t like:
This book wasn't perfect, however, there was nothing that stood out as unlikeable about the text.
Takeaway:
This book is a good starting point for anyone who wishes to be delivered from emotional damage and baggage.
For me, Meyer seems to have the ability to put into words the very attitudes and pains I face, and through the leading of the Holy Spirit, can get to the very heart of how to get well.
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