Be Real: Because Fake Is Exhausting

by Rick Bezet

Publisher's Description We live in a world of fakers. Rather than being real with each other, we present a carefully crafted persona that hides our faults and magnifies our good qualities. But inside we long to be loved, warts and all. We long to stop hiding from each other--and especially from God. With a tender and gentle spirit, pastor Rick Bezet calls readers to a life built on authenticity, showing that the way to true freedom lies through reclaiming our hearts, reviving our souls, and renewing our minds in light of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. Through biblical stories and (often funny) personal examples, Bezet encourages readers to live with passion, integrity, and perseverance. He releases readers from the spiritual death that comes with pretending and leads them into a new life characterized by transparency rather than fear.

Genres: Self Help, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2013

Reviews

[Priscilla Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, I got a lot of questions about it and saw that others wanted to read it too. One thing about it is that it is very religious. The whole book references scripture from the Bible consistently, so if that is not something that is interesting to you, I probably would not read it. I gave this five stars because it contains a ton of valuable lessons and verses that I can carry with me through life. It breaks down what some of the scripture tells you, which I really enjoyed. Sometimes I did get bored with the stories and scripture, but I found that setting it down and picking it back up at another time really helped me push through that.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just got the book and it looks to be an inspiring book with a lot of humor. I will give a fuller report when I finish it.

Now that I have read this wonderful book, I heartily recommend it. Whether you are a Christian or not, this book can help you. It makes it plain that faking your way through life will wear you down. It has helped me and I am in my 70's. This book is full of humor as well as good teachings. Read it and you won't regret doing so.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Bezet's honesty and humor in the book are exactly the same as in his sermons. It doesn't get much more real than this.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I believe He wants us to be salt and light to a world that's lost its flavor and is in the dark." Excellent book of encouragement for all Christians. I recommend adding this to your winter read, could be just the boast you need.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened to pick up this book at just the right time. If you read this book, you will have to be honest with yourself. It pointed out gaps in my thinking that I am so thankful for! The author writes the book so that it is very relatable and easy to read. I had originally started off with the goal of reading one chapter a night, but I was getting so much information and guidance that I found the drive to finish it much faster! It brought me comfort, joy, understanding, and much needed guidance. You are uniquely created for your own unique purpose. I especially appreciated that the author pointed out that God cares more about character than comfort. This book assisted a transformation in me. A great thanks to the author.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a very standard kind of preacher way, Rick Bezet gives us some spiritual insight into the matter of authenticity and being real. He is sometimes loose with his bible verses, spices up his writing with stories big and small and adds in some jokes about Boudreaux and Thibodeaux from time to time. It is a totally decent book that has a lot of good things to say, maybe especially if you are in your twenties based on the style of writing. I always hope a book like this goes deeper instead of broader, but this time it feels like things are kept much on floating grounds for a wider audience to relate to. The book does still encourage and challenge.

[April Grob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book and lots of great moments as far as real life examples and great scripture choices to back up those real life examples and decisions that were made. I did, however, find some problematic analogies that were used that I thought were more or digs to make people or a group of people look bad instead of just acknowledging mistakes or differences. There were only three that I counted that I felt were problematic moments. The book got really really slow and repetitive after the first 100 pages. I would still recommend this book as a read to othera.

[Travis Shearin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastor Bezet's book "Be Real" is a very good challenge and encouragement. It shed new light on things that I needed to be reminded of and challenged me in areas that I need to be more transparent in! Something that we can all take from reading his book is our need for authenticity in this culture of social media and being fake! I greatly appreciated what this book has even done for me in being more transparent with others on sin and being real and not putting up a mask.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty eye opening and helped me re-evaluate and really evaluate the way I am living for God.

[Jazmene · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Being real requires relying on God so that you don't have to rely on yourself." Encouraged and convicted!

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but I feel I've read other books that covered the same topics more in depth. If you're looking for an easy read that goes surface level on a handful of topics, this book is for you.

[Emily Coffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. It teaches us to be confident In The Lord which causes us to be real with others. Good book. Easy read.

[Emilie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it talks about a lot of things a lot of people need to hear. as it tells you things you should do to make life a lot easier it also tells a story at the same time.

[Joni Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and encouraging book. I think I will read another of this authors books.

[Mkittysamom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally made it! I read this book slow but each time I picked up this book it pertained to something going on with my life! Rick Bezet is very inspiring and REAL! I can see his personality shine in this book! He really helped me understand how important faith is, and what I've been missing. I will always keep this book as a treasure because I can read it over and over and still get good things out of it! I feel better and hopefully on my journey with God, I will become more real too. I wouldn't classify this as a "self-help" book, because it's not like reading step one, step 2 etc. it's a spiritual and encouraging book by Rick Bezet,who is a pastor of a church. I've actually watched him online and he is pretty funny and down to earth!

So anyone can read this book and find something inspiring in it!



I won a copy of this book, and Thank you God that I did. It was kinda like a present! All opinions are my own!

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a really simple read about how to have authentic relationships which of course boil down to our ability to be real. It was a great reminder that we do not have to be perfect people but that our Identity is found in Christ and that should be what drives us into real relationship.

[Crizzle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
One story that sticks with me is when he confessed his sin (being harsh with his wife, making her cry) in front of his congregation, after he was trying to preach and kept messing up. That was when he decided to "be real" in all areas of his life.

[Kayt18 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads
Wonderful book that is full of humor and loving care for the reader. I would highly recommend it to anyone.