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The Hidden Life: Revelations from a Holy Journey
This true story will tenderly guide you to find meaning in the midst of pain through the hope of a transforming experience with the God who yearns to fill you with peace, joy, and love.
- GenresSpirituality
214 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 2005
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Kitty Crenshaw
2 books1 followerKitty Crenshaw coauthored THE HIDDEN LIFE AWAKENED with Dr. Cathy Snapp, Director of Behavioral Studies at UGA. Find out all about us and our wonderful book at thehiddenlifeawakened.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 14, 2018
I found this book at a thrift store. I’m not sure what compelled me to pick it up, but after I brought it home, I put it in my library where it sat for at least a year. Even though I have taken it off the shelf many times, it was never quite time. This week, I finally tackled it.
This book is remarkably good. It is the story of one woman’s journey through severe depression to discovery of who she is in Christ, confronting her false selves and living out of the reality of being the beloved of Christ. I cannot recommend highly enough.
This book is remarkably good. It is the story of one woman’s journey through severe depression to discovery of who she is in Christ, confronting her false selves and living out of the reality of being the beloved of Christ. I cannot recommend highly enough.
February 24, 2022
I was given this book by a former employer who was very spiritually minded. I didn’t open it for a couple years, but maybe at the right time, because I highlighted about all of the first few chapters and re-read them often at times I was struggling.
This book was written by a woman who struggled from serious depression and she describes how she moved past it into a world of hope and love.
A circle full of ripples
from one pebble in a pond
fades unobtrusively
into forever
like a quiet life
poured out in love.
This quote from the introduction captured my heart and desire to see more hope in my life. Here are a couple other nuggets for you.
“As I look back on my life’s journey - and retrospect is such a printed view - I have learned that, just as the midst of our uncertainty coalesces then opens us to glimpses of brilliant hope and vision, so, too, our times of darkness and pain reveal and illuminate the mystery and beauty of our true self hidden within.
Painful circumstances and relationships that seem so defeating and discouraging are most often sacred gifts holding the seeds of our healing if we embrace them, persevere through them, and allow them to change us and wake us up to a whole new way of seeing.”
The Hidden Life was a balm to my soul from a wise mentor who had walked the path.
I loved this book. It changed my perspective on depression and marriage. I appreciated her wisdom on overcoming depression and her spiritual look at life and closeness to God. A beautiful life story.
This book was written by a woman who struggled from serious depression and she describes how she moved past it into a world of hope and love.
A circle full of ripples
from one pebble in a pond
fades unobtrusively
into forever
like a quiet life
poured out in love.
This quote from the introduction captured my heart and desire to see more hope in my life. Here are a couple other nuggets for you.
“As I look back on my life’s journey - and retrospect is such a printed view - I have learned that, just as the midst of our uncertainty coalesces then opens us to glimpses of brilliant hope and vision, so, too, our times of darkness and pain reveal and illuminate the mystery and beauty of our true self hidden within.
Painful circumstances and relationships that seem so defeating and discouraging are most often sacred gifts holding the seeds of our healing if we embrace them, persevere through them, and allow them to change us and wake us up to a whole new way of seeing.”
The Hidden Life was a balm to my soul from a wise mentor who had walked the path.
I loved this book. It changed my perspective on depression and marriage. I appreciated her wisdom on overcoming depression and her spiritual look at life and closeness to God. A beautiful life story.
August 18, 2012
“Everything in her life that was happening was exactly what was supposed to be happening and it was all opportunity for her healing,” writes Kitty Crenshaw and Catherine Snapp. Betty Skinner lived a hidden life which is now exposed in the book The Hidden Life. Betty mentored the authors, and they captured her thoughts and journal entries in this book.
This story of a woman's despair and her powerlessness lends me hope. As a contemplative, I related to Betty's hunger for solitude and her devotion to nature and finding God there. Crenshaw and Snapp share snippets of Betty's journal creating a patchwork diary of her quest for healing and wholeness.
This is a book I will return to again and again. Healing lurks on every page.
This story of a woman's despair and her powerlessness lends me hope. As a contemplative, I related to Betty's hunger for solitude and her devotion to nature and finding God there. Crenshaw and Snapp share snippets of Betty's journal creating a patchwork diary of her quest for healing and wholeness.
This is a book I will return to again and again. Healing lurks on every page.
September 27, 2015
Only 206 pages, I took longer to read this book than I'd expected. I found myself re-reading chapters just to savor and meditate on the truths so simply, yet eloquently shared. Common threads woven throughout included: "Love bends." "Love always takes the initiative." And "nothing on our spiritual journey is wasted--it is all preparation." I am quite sure that this will be one of the few books that I keep on my nightstand to regularly re-read!
August 11, 2013
The Most important book I have read in 10 years.
September 7, 2025
As an autobiography/biography (a bit of both since it’s written by two of Betty’s friends, but also quotes her directly) I’d give this closer to 4 stars. As theology, 2 stars.
Biography/Autobiography: an encouraging and gentle account of Betty’s struggle with depression and emerging through it by the grace of God. This could help give hope to someone experiencing crushing, debilitating depression. I loved seeing how God restored and helped Betty, showing her his love and care throughout her life. I especially appreciated how she discovered the importance of silence, solitude, prayer, and meditation for her spiritual walk. Her nature-inspired meditations were lovely.
Theology: Unfortunately, this is where it breaks down a bit. The theology tends towards mysticism (“experiencing” God trumps knowing him through Scripture), psychology, and maybe even “new thought” (admittedly this is something I just learned a name for, so maybe I’m seeing it everywhere now?) but judge for yourself. Here are some quotes that troubled me:
P. 129 “…There is something way beyond calling us home to our true self, calling us home to the Christ-self that has been put in us from the beginning of time.“
She talks a lot about her internal work, rather than God’s working her. She says “My work was the coming and allowing Jesus to embrace me, to change me, to free me…” (p. 146) or p. 169, “As we gradually do this painful work of emptying ourselves of our ego, illusions, and perceptions we begin to see reality, and in seeing reality we become real.”
Some questionable exegesis, like “Jesus says ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven… ‘(Matthew 18:18) This beautiful scripture speaks to how God honors our choices, particularly those that are in the direction of reconciliation, healing, and love.” (P 146)
“If we are faithful, we will taste peace somewhere deeply hidden within our hearts, far beyond feelings and emotions. It is the peace that passes understanding. It is the God within. It will bring Christ to you and you to him… All of creation runs on a divine energy that at its core is unconditionally loving.” (P. 155)
“To immerse oneself in the beauty of creation, its mystery and wonder, is to come to know the God beyond and the God within.” P. 156
“God is total goodness, and these moments bring us in touch with Him and the oneness of all things.” P. 168
I don’t want to leave this review on entirely a critical note because I get the feeling that it would be an honor to meet Ms. Betty and discuss our savior with her. I do think she truly loves God. A couple helpful things that will stick with me from this book:
During her depression she realized that her voracious reading of Christian books had become an idol and a coping mechanism, rather than something that truly drew her closer to God, so she went cold turkey for a while. This is a warning I’m taking to heart. I want scripture to be my meat, even as I enjoy other books. As Spurgeon says, read many books but live in the Bible! I’ll be on the lookout in this area.
I also need to heed her encouragement to stay physically active and spend time in nature. These are good gifts from God and can help me stay balanced emotionally and spiritually.
I picked this book up at a thrift store (interestingly I read another reviewer say the same) and thought since it was NavPress it would be solid and biblical. I’ll be more cautious about that publisher in the future.
Biography/Autobiography: an encouraging and gentle account of Betty’s struggle with depression and emerging through it by the grace of God. This could help give hope to someone experiencing crushing, debilitating depression. I loved seeing how God restored and helped Betty, showing her his love and care throughout her life. I especially appreciated how she discovered the importance of silence, solitude, prayer, and meditation for her spiritual walk. Her nature-inspired meditations were lovely.
Theology: Unfortunately, this is where it breaks down a bit. The theology tends towards mysticism (“experiencing” God trumps knowing him through Scripture), psychology, and maybe even “new thought” (admittedly this is something I just learned a name for, so maybe I’m seeing it everywhere now?) but judge for yourself. Here are some quotes that troubled me:
P. 129 “…There is something way beyond calling us home to our true self, calling us home to the Christ-self that has been put in us from the beginning of time.“
She talks a lot about her internal work, rather than God’s working her. She says “My work was the coming and allowing Jesus to embrace me, to change me, to free me…” (p. 146) or p. 169, “As we gradually do this painful work of emptying ourselves of our ego, illusions, and perceptions we begin to see reality, and in seeing reality we become real.”
Some questionable exegesis, like “Jesus says ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven… ‘(Matthew 18:18) This beautiful scripture speaks to how God honors our choices, particularly those that are in the direction of reconciliation, healing, and love.” (P 146)
“If we are faithful, we will taste peace somewhere deeply hidden within our hearts, far beyond feelings and emotions. It is the peace that passes understanding. It is the God within. It will bring Christ to you and you to him… All of creation runs on a divine energy that at its core is unconditionally loving.” (P. 155)
“To immerse oneself in the beauty of creation, its mystery and wonder, is to come to know the God beyond and the God within.” P. 156
“God is total goodness, and these moments bring us in touch with Him and the oneness of all things.” P. 168
I don’t want to leave this review on entirely a critical note because I get the feeling that it would be an honor to meet Ms. Betty and discuss our savior with her. I do think she truly loves God. A couple helpful things that will stick with me from this book:
During her depression she realized that her voracious reading of Christian books had become an idol and a coping mechanism, rather than something that truly drew her closer to God, so she went cold turkey for a while. This is a warning I’m taking to heart. I want scripture to be my meat, even as I enjoy other books. As Spurgeon says, read many books but live in the Bible! I’ll be on the lookout in this area.
I also need to heed her encouragement to stay physically active and spend time in nature. These are good gifts from God and can help me stay balanced emotionally and spiritually.
I picked this book up at a thrift store (interestingly I read another reviewer say the same) and thought since it was NavPress it would be solid and biblical. I’ll be more cautious about that publisher in the future.
August 11, 2019
Too much “I” in the story. It was as though she didn’t really care about her children, which bothers me. It’s all about her unhappiness.
November 18, 2007
Reflections from and on a modern Christian mystic. Chronicling the life of Betty Skinner, this book describes how a woman emerges from clinical depression to a intimate relationship with Christ. Her understanding of the Christian life is reminiscent of Julian of Norwich and goes beyond the typical, Christian cliche of "Jesus is your best friend."
August 24, 2011
A re-read. Ironically, I picked it up to read again on my trip to the mountains. She certainly has my respect dragging herself back from the depths of depression bit by bit without the help of medication. Besides that, there is a lot in here to think about. I'm sure I'll have to read it again.
January 25, 2014
A book for those interested in mental health and spiritual/holistic wellness. The Hidden Life was the author's inner journey growing closer to God and understanding her authentically created self, ultimately providing healing.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews