The Storm Inside: Trade the Chaos of How You Feel for the Truth of Who You Are

by Sheila Walsh

Women feel the storm activity all around. We find ourselves teetering somewhere between everyday chaos and crisis. We can feel a storm brewing, we are in the middle of a storm, or we are facing the aftermath of a storm. But don't be afraid because it is possible to grow through turbulent times. Storms show you what's really going on inside, reveal what you really believe, and actually make you stronger. In this powerful book Sheila will help

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Faith, Christian Living, Spirituality, Self Help, Religion

224 pages, Hardcover

First published February 11, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Sheila Walsh (05-07-1956) is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. A featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word.

Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States.

Sheila co-hosted The 700 Club and her own show Heart to Heart with Sheila Walsh. She is currently completing her Masters in Theology.

Twitter @SheilaWalsh, facebook.com/#!/sheilawalshconnects

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Specifically written to women, this book discusses ten common “storms” we often encounter in this age and culture and how to combat the lies those struggles push on us.

“We must not let the temporary way we feel distract us from the personal truth that we all are valuable to our Father.” – quote from inside flap

I love how each chapter is formatted. Sheila starts with a personal story about experience within that particular storm, then defines the storm in more detail and its impact, then discusses biblical stories of that storm. But she doesn’t leave each chapter there. She takes the reader through the storm to a more positive place of growth. The chapters cover heartbreak, disappointment, unforgiveness, shame, regret, fear, insecurity, insignificance, despair, and rage.

Each chapter focuses on one storm and a place of (not easy) recovery. For example, the chapter on regret has a subtitle of “From Regret to Rest.” The chapter on disappointment says, “From Disappointment to Hope.” Each chapter also ends with reflection and action questions, plus a prayer.

In every chapter of this book, I found some statement I related to. Sheila continues to reiterate that we all have value to God, and our feelings do not always determine truth. Her writing is straightforward, but she also uses some unique analogies that keep the reader interested. (Example from page 3: “…as common as rain in Seattle or backpedaling from a politician.”) She tackles real issues with depth, like the church often failing those who are grieving or “deserve” versus “worthy” (one of my favorite sections). She also asks questions along with the reader, like why it often feels like God ignores some prayers but not others. While she doesn’t have all the answers (who here does?), every chapter is very Scripture-based.

This theme expressed on page 40 recurs throughout the book:

“[When we trust God], it’s not that we won’t hear the screeches of the enemy’s lies in the night, but we will refuse to chart our course by them.”

Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about The Storm Inside: Trade the Chaos of How You Feel for the Truth of Who You Are by Sheila Walsh.

I just thought the book was okay. It felt heavy with the stories she told at the beginning of each chapter, and it was just too much for me. Maybe I am not in the right season to read it, but it did not resonate with me.

It was well-written and had practical advice.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely awesome!!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

p. 18, "Now I was washed up on an unfamiliar beach, spent, broken and defenseless. It was here I met with Christ , the one who though strong, chose to be weak, so that when you and I find ourselves too shattered to speak, He sings over us."
p. 19, Zeph. 3:17, Psalm 34: 17-19 "Father God, My heart is broken and I am afraid. The storm is too loud and the waves are too high. Hide me under the shelter of Your wings, for You alone are my refuge and strength. I offer this broken heart to you as a living sacrifice of praise to the God who will not allow the storm of grief to overtake me. In You I am strong!"
p. 27, "Truth is like a lighthouse on a stormy, pitch-black night that steers us clear of the feelings that would wreck us."

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book rubbed me raw. Wow! Sheila has a way of writing that makes you confront yourself. The brokeness, the fears, the insecurities... she pulls them out and shows you just how special God thinks you really are. She wraps her powerful story around truth and offers you a chair and hug of comfort. She shows you your value through His word and how precious you are in His sight. She doesn't claim to be perfect but REAL. Her vulnerability draws you in and you can't help but love her for who she is. A child of the King. Highly recommend this book!

[Carrie Daws · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading a bunch of this type of book over the past year as I prepare to release a book that's somewhat related. I like Sheila Walsh's comfortable writing style. She comes across as a friend who wants to share her heart ... and heartache ... with readers. She shares some heartbreaking stories within the pages of the book, but in each chapter, turns the reader back to the truth found in Scripture that can bring calm to the chaos--at least for the hurting heart, if not to the circumstances you find yourself in.

[Bethany DuVal · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want to know why victims of abuse don’t speak up, read the chapter on forgiveness. In the context of a girl who was sexually abused by her father from the ages of 10 to 15, Sheila tells readers that once they forgive, they can’t tell anyone about the incident. She also encourages victims to ask forgiveness for not forgiving the person who hurt them sooner.

I don’t think it was her intent to shame victims into silence. She even talks later about silencing herself in a different type of situation did tremendous damage. And yet.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Chasing Francis, I wanted more. So, I picked this book off the ever growing TBR pile and began reading it like a daily devotional. Sheila writes as if we're sharing an intimate conversation. Her words are thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and inspiring.

I recommend this book to any woman seeking a relationship with God. I don't have the right words to share how much this book has spoken to my heart.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it's the lessons we resist that we need the most, I must have really needed this one. Just ask my poor husband who got the stink eye when he handed me this book as a gift. I mean, the nerve! What was he trying to say anyway? It's not like I don't have my emotions perfectly in check!? My point is, this book is fabulous. So thankful God finally gave me ears to hear. And so thankful for my husband who faithfully loves me through all of life's storms.

[C Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheila addresses the internal storms that all women face in their walk with God. This book assures us that we are not alone and that though pain and despair may last for a night joy awaits us. Emotions are not evil and we need to stop pushing them down and start dealing with the hurt and pain that is very real. I highly recommend this book to those who are struggling with the storms that rage inside.

[Courtney Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what I needed amidst a storm I have been battling inside for almost 10 years. Thank you for sharing the words of God that hold truth and declare the lies our feelings often times will feed us. I can stand in the truths of God's promises with a louder confidence and BE who I was CREATED to be and not the woman I FEEL I am.

[Marcia Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Sheila Walsh writes about how we have all kinds of emotions and hurts but that God can handle everything we feel. She encourages women to take them captive and to allow God to be everything we need.

[Jessica Harcarik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Sheila Walsh! She is such a passionate women for Christ and those who are struggling. Incredible read that will make you think, work, and change your relationship with Christ.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a chapter a day and have many pages of notes. Good book that. I found by accident.

[Amanda Boeche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming

This book spoke to my soul. I highly recommend it to set your emotions free! Raw truth that we all need.

[Deb Stucky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheila is real and honest about the truths of life.

[Ashlyn Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! It changed my life!

[Cheryl cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiration for all of us who have a storm inside

Inspiring and down to earth. Very easy to read and very helpful with real life Christian recommendations on how to deal with life.

[Bonita Grant]

Awesome read

Absolutely love her books, she can get your attention and hold it throughout her books. I have read several of her books and they never disappoint

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will be one I return to again and again. It reminds me to rely on Christ and not myself. It reminds me that God's truth is more powerful than my feelings. Easy to read yet impactful.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read for these challenging times!

She offers sound advise and wisdom from experience to help women through every challenging situation through the love of God!

[Jennifer Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book with lots of great things to take away

[Trish Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoyed this book. The author touched on some good subjects. This is worth reading for anyone struggling with inner turmoil.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book that gives wonderful insight to help deal with the storm of emotions that we have from life storms.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite book by her, but still filled with so many words of wisdom. Dealing with insecurity, fear, rage, and other things can eat away at us, but we have to know who we belong to.

[Kathy Gossen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Sheila but I didn’t feel as engaged or comforted as I sometimes do when reading. Not sure if it’s my stage of life or the book….

[A.C. Cuddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Storm Inside – Trade the Chaos of How You Feel for the Truth of Who You Are by Shelia Walsh

“Women feel the storm activity all around. We find ourselves teetering somewhere between everyday chaos and crisis. We can feel a storm brewing, we are in the middle of a storm, or we are facing the aftermath of a storm. But don’t be afraid because it is possible to grow through turbulent times. Storms show you what’s really going on inside, reveal what you really believe, and actually make you stronger.“

The Storm Inside is a powerful book written for we women that somehow seem to spend a good portion of our lives either about to be run over by a storm, are in the middle of a storm, or have just come through the other side of a storm a bit battered and bruised. Those storms of our lives sap our strength and resolve and leave us precious little resources for the next. In this book, the author – Sheila Walsh – shows us that while we may not be able to avoid the storms, we can triumph in and through the storms.

By way of her personal stories and anecdotes and merged with sound Biblical Truths, Ms. Walsh offers help in our heartbreaks, disappointments, shame, regrets, fears, insecurities, feelings of despair and being insignificant and finding restoration from our rage. This is a profound book that deals with topics that I would venture to guess to most, if not all, of us have found ourselves at one time or another. It’s time to lose the chaos and embrace the truth.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, Goodreads, and to be featured on my blog at http://titus3.wordpress.com

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Storm Inside is all about how to deal with overwhelming emotions so that they do not overtake us. In her many travels and speaking engagements in front of women, Sheila Walsh has found a pattern among the women. We all deal with the same list of strong emotions. They are: heartache, disappointment, fear, bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, regret, abandonment, shame and insecurity.

She has taken one chapter to talk about each of these emotions. In each chapter she has stories, lots of stories, some inspiring, some encouraging, some about herself, some about people she knows, some from the Bible, and all which either illustrate the strength of the emotion for that chapter or the strategy to beat it.

I love that she supplies the remedy and not just talks about the problem. And they all in one way or another involve God. Even more than that they can be boiled down to believing God’s promises and what He says about us. But they are all fleshed out and made specific to each emotion.

Overall I found the book to be well-written and I found the author to be compassionate, understanding and kind towards those who are struggling with these strong emotions. Never condemning nor shaming.

At the end of every chapter there is a clear step by step list of what to do as a strategy to not be overwhelmed by a particular emotion and most also have a short sample prayer to pray.

I would be surprised to hear that someone was struggling with every emotion that she talks about but I would be equally surprised to hear that someone is not struggling with at least one of them at least some of the time. If you can relate to that list of emotions I posted up above then check this book out. It may be just the thing you need to gain victory over that thing.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from publisher through the 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 Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Susie Kinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Sheila Walsh. She is authentic, raw and real. She doesn't spew platitudes, instead she joins us where we are and understands our struggles. Her love of Jesus knows no bounds, and I love that she has been blessed and has blessed us with her sharing.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Storm Inside by Sheila Walsh is a book for women who are facing difficulties that this life brings or who have gone through storms that so many women face. Sheila has traveled worldwide and has spoken to millions of women over the past 30 years. Throughout her experiences, she has seen the same few issues facing women come to the surface. Throughout this book, she digs into these ten feelings: heartbreak, disappointment, unforgiveness, shame, regret, fear, insecurity, insignificance, despair, and rage.

I enjoyed the ways in which Walsh explored each of these words as she walked through each chapter. So many times, we take for granted the meanings of the words we use, but she pulled back and gave pause to dig a little deeper. She also shared meaningful stories as well as practical applications, which are intended for the individual but could certainly be useful for small group settings as well.

This book is well-written, but I still struggled to engage with much of it. I am at a point where I prefer to avoid “Christianese” or language that is full of “terms only Christians understand”—this book seemed to have a lot of that. For whatever reason, I find it off-putting and am trying to find new ways of communicating that don’t feel so cliché. Despite this language, I did appreciate Walsh’s effort to dig past the pat, Sunday School answers that so many people are given.

This book is not one that I would jump to recommend to all my friends and family, but it may speak very deeply to some who are in a different part of life than I am. My recommendation is to read the descriptions, check out the content that is included, and if it draws you in and you connect to the message—it may be a very meaningful book for you. Although it was not my favorite book, I’m glad I read it because there is always something to be gained or learned from the insights and experiences of others.