I was recently hospitalized due to severe depression and anxiety. It was the first time I had ever gone to the hospital for that reason, and I was scared to death. I was also ashamed. I kept a journal during my stay and, over and over, I found myself writing, "I'm ashamed. So ashamed." I was afraid for anyone to know because of how they might think of me, and I was terrified of causing my family embarrassment. I shouldn't have worried! When my husband let people know and asked them to pray for us, we were covered by love and understanding, and many people opened up and shared that they, too, suffered with depression. And you know what? I bet they've felt shame, too. That should be the very last thing we should have to deal with. I even interpreted it as guilt; I felt like I had done something wrong. Honestly, I'm not sure I could differentiate between guilt and shame.
In Unashamed, Healing our Brokenness and Finding Freedom from Shame, Heather Davis Nelson defines the difference between guilt and shame, and explains how Satan uses shame to crush and defeat us. With a warmth and candor that is so needed when dealing with this sensitive subject, Heather opens up about her own experiences and offers hope and advice on how to break free from shame's bondage. Topics such as body shame, social shame, and shame in marriage and parenting are covered, and there are even extra resources for those who suffer from abuse.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
"Insecurity leads to people-pleasing, which is often motivated by fear of intimacy, which is motivated by fear of rejection."
"What if you chose to share what's closer to real life than the airbrushed life stories our social media accounts usually portray? If you are really daring, ask a friend who knows you well in real life how similar your online presence is to who you are. And if you're feeling especially courageous, write a post about how you are really doing."
"To engage in our work and calling with all we are, and to continue without stalling out or freezing up requires silencing the critic within (because too often it is our own voice that speaks the oldest words of condemnation)."
I highly recommend this book!
And...one of you will win a copy! To enter, simply leave a comment letting me know that you wish to be entered into the giveaway. That's it! :) Oh, and please share this with your friends! This giveaway will be open until Friday, July 8th, at 10 pm.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review. Giveaways are open to residents of the US and Canada. Winners are chosen via random.org. If you have won in the last six months, another winner will be chosen.
