Convinced!

by Sylane Mack

Convinced! tells the unguarded truth of Sylane Mack's story of being victimized by physical, emotional and sexual abuse within her family and, then, being raped by a stranger at age twelve. Convinced! tells the unlimited, unfailing power of the love of God that radically changed her life, renewed her mind and set her spirit free to heal, forgive, and love with a passion and joy that can only come from the Lord Jesus Christ!

236 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2009

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult book to read. I can't imagine living through that life.

[Kathy Dryden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth

What a champion for Christ. Brave and committed. I wish I were that way. An inspiration to us all. Grace for our souls.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from a friend who actually met Sylane Mack at a retreat, and got a signed copy from her. It sounds like she is an amazing woman, and so full of love and strength.

Something I will admit right off the bat is that I don’t do forgiveness. I think forgiveness is actually a very toxic concept, often just used to blame the victim. I do also believe that the fact that that woman immediately told Sylane to “now forgive” after opening up about her trauma was highly inappropriate and demented. That said, the reason I gave this book a high rating anyway is because when I get an insight for anyone’s true experience, I of course have empathy, and am well aware of the fact that not everyone is me. Things that don’t work for me, work for other people. And vice versa. After all the horrible things that Sylane Mack has been through, I am glad she has gotten through it and been able to heal, had the courage to speak about it, and had the courage to form loving healthy fruitful relationships in her life. I’m glad she has been able to live life to the fullest. I’m glad she has been able to remain loving at heart, and use it to help others. If God and religion and forgiveness have helped her with all that, then I am glad. That is a good thing the world could have more of.

[Beth Quick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I realize this is a deeply personal account for this woman. But wow, I found it really upsetting. I am also a survivor of child abuse, although not nearly as thorough, repeated, and devastating as Sylane describes. To be told by an adult at church, as a first response to my confession, that I needed to focus on forgiving my parent? The psychological harm done here is so enormous. I can't imagine how differently things might have turned out if someone had heard this child share the abuse she was suffering, and then help her get out of that situation, and help her siblings get out of that situation. I grieve for children who have received similar responses to the abuse they suffer.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I cried from the start to the end. Any woman who has bee molested by a family member should read this book. It is about restoration, forgiveness. Sylane is an incredible woman of God.

[Jeff Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a difficult read, leaving me with a lot of questions. And it's a beautiful and powerful story of a daughter's love for her family and her unrelenting determination to love them into the kingdom.