Too often I have approached life’s crises and frustrations like a Sumo wrestler. I am going to overcome whatever I face and continue to juggle all the plates of responsibility in my life. Of course it never worked that way and I resorted to accusing myself of being a substandard Christian, wife, mother, pastor’s wife. In reality, my view was not . . . well reality! I was doing it in my own strength and leaving Christ out! Without Him I can do nothing!
This book helped me look back in the past, in the present and the future, take a deep full breath, and exhale. It shed light on the fact that I am sometimes my own worst enemy. The devil doesn’t have to do a thing because I will take the stick of guilt and failure and beat myself! Add to that the extra challenges we face and life can literally squeeze the breath out of us . . if we let it. By not stepping back and letting go, we not only devastate ourselves but we also drag all that baggage into the next day, and the next until we are so overwhelmed we feel like we are suffocating.
I appreciate Ms. Tankersley’s being so open, transparent, and vulnerable in sharing her story. Not that I want anyone to have problems but hearing that someone else struggles makes me feel not as alone. In old movies when the woman got hysterical, someone would slap her across the face to get her attention. I guess you could say her book was a good slap in the face. It made me step back, yes breath, and really look at what I have done. Best of all she helped me turn everything back to God. To realize the love and help He is waiting to give me. He is my strength and solution. Sometimes we are so caught up in our “moments” that we need someone to remind us of the Truth. The scripture than came to mind, that sums up the authors message is 2 Chronicles 20:17. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, . . fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
I received this book free from Revell Publishing, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.