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WestBow Press

11 April 2014

The Storm Inside

The way we see ourselves and feel about ourselves is not always what others see in us. In this book, Sheila Walsh doesn't sugar coat feelings. She does not tell you that you should feel a certain way, and she does not tell you that life will be perfect just because you are a child of God. She is well aware that some days, you wonder why you even bothered to get out of bed. In the introduction, Sheila tells a story of a speaking engagement in 2012 that changed the way she thought. 

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name ~ Psalm 86:11 ESV

Focused on this verse, Sheila admitted to her audience "for years, I had hidden behind ministry, praying that the work I did for God would somehow tip the scales in my favor and outweigh the feelings of shame and fear that dragged me down. Honestly, I had no idea that I could live another way - an unburdened way - based on the finished work of Christ and not on anything I did."

Based upon an exercise used in her ministry that day, Sheila discovered that women - regardless of strength of faith - often let their feelings become burdens. The surprising discovery was that the feelings are the same, over and over.

Heartache. Disappointment. Fear. Bitterness. Unforgiveness. Anger. Regret. Abandonment. Shame. Insecurity.

Each chapter of this book deals with a different one of these ten feelings, and Sheila Walsh is indeed a storyteller. I found myself eagerly looking forward to her next story, her next sharing. I did not feel so much as if I were reading a book as if I felt that I was reading a letter from a friend. Explaining instead of chastising, she reminds us that some of these words are horribly misused in everyday conversation. The example she uses in Chapter One is of a football team's loss - often referred to as heartbreaking. Sad? Yes. Disappointing? Yes. Heartbreaking? I don't think so - it is, after all, only a game.

Sheila Walsh does not belittle these feelings like some authors that I have read, instead she empathizes and understands. Then, she turns the focus to the Master Healer. Reminding us that He is greater than ANY problem we might face, she gives us the words of Peter: "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you" ~ 1 Peter 5:7.

I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it for anyone who has ever experienced any of the feelings listed above. Even if you are happy: READ THIS BOOK!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”