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Unleashed: How to Receive Everything the Holy Spirit Wants to Give You
Sonja Corbitt was an evangelical Baptist before she converted to Catholicism. In Unleashed , she shares her passion for the scriptures by weaving the Word of God with her own experiences to show readers how the Holy Spirit flows through their lives in relationships, prayer, and even in times of suffering.
Sonja Corbitt’s passionate faith and natural storytelling ability combine to create a refreshing message of how God, in his continual pursuit of us, speaks to us through the positive and painful circumstances of life, relationships, and his Word.
In Unleashed , Corbitt testifies that prayerful and regular study of the scriptures is the key to hear the voice of God, to see the Holy Spirit at work even in times of suffering, and to receive all the graces God wants to give.
Corbitt has been captivating Catholic women across the country with her message about God and his desire to know them in a deep and personal way. Endorsed by her bishop as a “credit to her faith,” Corbitt inspires Catholics everywhere to engage with the scriptures with renewed vigor and energy.
Sonja Corbitt’s passionate faith and natural storytelling ability combine to create a refreshing message of how God, in his continual pursuit of us, speaks to us through the positive and painful circumstances of life, relationships, and his Word.
In Unleashed , Corbitt testifies that prayerful and regular study of the scriptures is the key to hear the voice of God, to see the Holy Spirit at work even in times of suffering, and to receive all the graces God wants to give.
Corbitt has been captivating Catholic women across the country with her message about God and his desire to know them in a deep and personal way. Endorsed by her bishop as a “credit to her faith,” Corbitt inspires Catholics everywhere to engage with the scriptures with renewed vigor and energy.
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 2015
59 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Sonja Corbitt
19 books32 followersSonja Corbitt is the Bible Study Evangelista. She's a Catholic Scripture teacher with a story teller's gift - a Southern Belle with a warrior's heart and a poet's pen.
We're all sweating and dirty with the effort to love and lift all He's given to us - those people, duties, callings, and longings that break our hearts and make them sing, sometimes at the same time. But most times, we need to be loved and lifted ourselves.
So her Bible study media are created with you in mind, bites of spinach that taste like cake, to help you make space in your busy heart and schedule for God to love and lift you all the way up into His great lap, where all you've been given is loved and lifted too.
We're all sweating and dirty with the effort to love and lift all He's given to us - those people, duties, callings, and longings that break our hearts and make them sing, sometimes at the same time. But most times, we need to be loved and lifted ourselves.
So her Bible study media are created with you in mind, bites of spinach that taste like cake, to help you make space in your busy heart and schedule for God to love and lift you all the way up into His great lap, where all you've been given is loved and lifted too.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 7, 2015
This is another one where I wish Amazon had six stars to give. I admit I took this book on with great trepidation. Part of that is because Snow Crash has freaked me out about anything charismatic (not AT ALL the fault of the charismatic movement but the fault of a buttkicking fiction story). So a book dealing with the Holy Spirit? I was a bit, "Um. Okay. Deep breaths, Erin. We can DO this!"
First, I have to clarify that Unleashed is not about the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. Rather it is a step-by-step guide for discerning how the Holy Spirit is speaking to us without words but through repeating patterns that not only spring forth from our own hearts but from the hearts of those around us. In this book, Sonja gives us sort of a listening device for making out the guidance of the Holy Spirit more clearly, more thoughtfully, with greater peace and confidence.
It's tackles complex issues with deep-cleansing-breath simplicity. It holds a mirror up to the soul behind the face in the mirror and says, "Yes, you have work to do, but you don't have to do it all today. Still you can do something today."
Do something today. Get to know the Holy Spirit, not as an abstract monstrosity but as a solid, loving friend. Perhaps picking up your copy of Unleashed will be that something you do today.
First, I have to clarify that Unleashed is not about the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. Rather it is a step-by-step guide for discerning how the Holy Spirit is speaking to us without words but through repeating patterns that not only spring forth from our own hearts but from the hearts of those around us. In this book, Sonja gives us sort of a listening device for making out the guidance of the Holy Spirit more clearly, more thoughtfully, with greater peace and confidence.
It's tackles complex issues with deep-cleansing-breath simplicity. It holds a mirror up to the soul behind the face in the mirror and says, "Yes, you have work to do, but you don't have to do it all today. Still you can do something today."
Do something today. Get to know the Holy Spirit, not as an abstract monstrosity but as a solid, loving friend. Perhaps picking up your copy of Unleashed will be that something you do today.
June 6, 2019
I loved this book. It gave great insights into how the Holy Spirit longs to work in our lives. It discusses how he uses different situations and relationships to work in us and heal us.
May 18, 2015
Sonja Corbitt does a remarkable job bringing the Holy Spirit movement into focus in our every day life. She tackles past hurts and present struggles, and empowers each and every reader to healing, recovery and hope. Her writing story is just down right hilarious and every reader will be able to see themselves in the stories and examples Sonja shares.
*Disclaimer, I received the book to review and because she was appearing on my radio show - but I never say anything I don't 100% mean!
*Disclaimer, I received the book to review and because she was appearing on my radio show - but I never say anything I don't 100% mean!
November 8, 2015
This book just did not move me. It could be that this is not where I am in my spiritual journey, and so I found it awkward, and it never moved me. Maybe a younger woman, a new mom or wife, would get more out of this.
August 8, 2019
I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK! I first want to say that I am not a Catholic. Don't let the subtitle referencing a Catholic woman's walk with scripture deter you from reading this book. She does pull in some things that are from Catholic sources, but mainly, she is focused on scripture. Perhaps this book spoke to me because of where I am in my spiritual walk, but upon reading the Forward, I immediately reread it. I read the first chapter and immediately reread it. At points, I just wanted to weep. It felt like someone was seeing right into my longing for MORE and was giving me a way to get it. With my first read through, I have marked so many parts that I felt were especially applicable to me. I am now beginning to reread the book to see what I missed and to go more slowly to savor and do some self-analysis. Great tool for those seeking to deepen their spiritual walk.
November 14, 2018
We read this in our book group and it made for some great discussions! I got so much more out of this book listening to the thoughts and perspectives and stories of other women in our group. We met weekly and watched the video after each weekly book discussion. I highly recommend it for book study groups!
November 12, 2021
I found this very helpful and very practical. Some of the scariest verses in the Bible are explained, not watered down but the goodness of God behind them seemed clearer to me after reading this book, and how the verses could apply in my own life. Sonja shares her own experiences with a lot of warmth & kindness.
November 5, 2018
The author, drawing on her own personal experiences, gives a blueprint for Catholic women, or any Catholic, to connect with the Holy spirit and receive grace to change a life. I think it might work.
February 4, 2020
This is a great book for a women’s Catholic Bible Study. We are reading it together with her DVD series. Love how down to earth she is as well as how knowledgeable she is in the scriptures.
August 3, 2021
If I could give 6 stars I would. I made a life changing decision to leave my job of 20 years to be unleashed after reading this book. I found the courage to trust God and not look back!!
March 28, 2025
Holy Spirit. (1) The Holy Spirit wants to be unleashed into all of the areas of my life. I should ask him to begin working and be specific complete and truthful about where I want and need his unleashing, holding nothing back. When I do he immediately gets busy. I should be prepared for my issues to get worse sometimes far worse before they get better. I will not give up simply because it's hard. (2) Although his power is matchless he works slowly and gently with (not despite) my personality and temperament, current circumstances and relationships and spiritual development. His pattern is outward to inward and upward spiral. I will encounter desert episodes because I am unleashed most effectively from my predominant fault in the desert. (3) The patterns in my circumstances and relationships show me where the Holy Spirit is working and wants me to cooperate with him. When the Holy Spirit speaks to me he is speaking about me. Circumstances and relationships often grow more difficult the longer it takes for them to get my attention and the more I succumb to comfort-seeking behaviors. My worst pattern of emotional eruptions reveals my predominant fault which is the weakest and most bound-up point of my soul. (4) Suffering is not punishment from God. Because Jesus' sacrifice changed and redeemed suffering my suffering can and will purify my heart and life if I will cooperate with it. When I experience something several times, I should pay attention because the Holy Spirit may be attempting to get my attention. (5) My deepest truest desires will always lead me to God who gave them to me in order to fulfill them. The fulfillment of my deepest desires may take a decade or more but it will surely come to pass if I work steadily and patiently with the Holy Spirit. (6) To hear God speak to me personally and consistently I must listen to Church teachings participate in regular Bible study and have a daily reading and silent listening practice in the scriptures. (7) If I believe God will move and work miraculously in my life he most certainly will as I choose to open myself to receive all that the Holy Spirit wants to give me and act on my belief by cooperating with him.
October 22, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Unleashed and the spiritual journey Sonja Corbitt takes us on as we learn how to let go and rediscover our interior life. Each chapter has a review for important points, an invitation to apply scripture and the chapter to our lives and a God prompt for specific ways to get closer to God. The author suggests keeping a journal with our thoughts and questions regarding the content of the book.
The title Unleashed has several meanings such as our desire to have the Holy Spirit unleashed within us and our desire to unleash that which holds us back from going forward from our past. Each chapter quotes a question from Jesus in scripture to us today. For example the first chapter is “What do you wish?” from Matthew 20:21. Jesus is ready to come onto our lives and because of free will; he wants to know that we seek him in our life. We are to discern what is really important to us (our values) and be true to seeking that which brings us closer to this.
Sonja Corbitt asks thought provoking questions taken from scripture that bring us closer in our relationship with God. Within Unleashed, the author points out that St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross have described the Holy Spirit’s action as outward to inward and an upward spiral action. I mostly identify with the letting go of childhood survival mechanisms that are no longer useful but can be actual barriers to our growth in our spiritual life. Another interesting facet of the book is discovering what the author describes as our “predominant fault” that keeps us at bay from our true relationship with God. This book is steeped in scripture with an almost Lectio Divina attitude toward scripture and bringing it into our lives and making it relevant for us today.
The author uses personal experiences and scripture to help the reader discern what we want for ourselves and our relationship with God. There are group questions at the end of the book that help to unpack the richness of the book content. From the beginning to the end I would recommend this book to you.
The title Unleashed has several meanings such as our desire to have the Holy Spirit unleashed within us and our desire to unleash that which holds us back from going forward from our past. Each chapter quotes a question from Jesus in scripture to us today. For example the first chapter is “What do you wish?” from Matthew 20:21. Jesus is ready to come onto our lives and because of free will; he wants to know that we seek him in our life. We are to discern what is really important to us (our values) and be true to seeking that which brings us closer to this.
Sonja Corbitt asks thought provoking questions taken from scripture that bring us closer in our relationship with God. Within Unleashed, the author points out that St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross have described the Holy Spirit’s action as outward to inward and an upward spiral action. I mostly identify with the letting go of childhood survival mechanisms that are no longer useful but can be actual barriers to our growth in our spiritual life. Another interesting facet of the book is discovering what the author describes as our “predominant fault” that keeps us at bay from our true relationship with God. This book is steeped in scripture with an almost Lectio Divina attitude toward scripture and bringing it into our lives and making it relevant for us today.
The author uses personal experiences and scripture to help the reader discern what we want for ourselves and our relationship with God. There are group questions at the end of the book that help to unpack the richness of the book content. From the beginning to the end I would recommend this book to you.
February 19, 2017
It wasn't for me-I barely made it through three chapters. I want more here is how I live and so much less Bible analyzing.
June 29, 2017
"Unleashed" by Sonja Corbitt is a fabulous guide to truly opening yourself to the Holy Spirit and all that He desires to give you. Sonja encourages readers to dig deep into relationship ruts, bad habits, and patterns of behavior that might be preventing us from living freely the way God desires us to live. As challenging as it can be to work through this book—because who really wants to focus on their predominant faults?—Sonja is the best mentor for the job. She is honest, open, humorous and inspiring. She is very knowledgable of the Scriptures, and that knowledge flows from her so naturally. She is the friend you need when you're going through the tough stuff, and she is the friend who will still be with you on the other end.
There were a few chapters, especially in the beginning, that I struggled with. I am not sure if it was a writing-style issue or an editing issue. I just found myself having to re-read sentences, because I didn't understand what she was talking about. As I progressed, the issue resolved itself. For all I know, it was totally me! Regardless, I'm so glad this book came into my life. It is a must-read for growing in the spiritual life.
There were a few chapters, especially in the beginning, that I struggled with. I am not sure if it was a writing-style issue or an editing issue. I just found myself having to re-read sentences, because I didn't understand what she was talking about. As I progressed, the issue resolved itself. For all I know, it was totally me! Regardless, I'm so glad this book came into my life. It is a must-read for growing in the spiritual life.
April 15, 2016
Excellent first hand insights gained by live radio discussion of book content with author and educator, Sonja Corbitt, describing her own journey in the understanding of living 'Unleashed' by and with Holy Spirit. Understandable concepts and language enable incorporation into readers/listeners lives. Live abiding in the Vine allowing the 'sap' of Holy Spirit to energize faith life - to expose root issues that produce habits that need to be dealt with for healthy living and ministering. A rich resource.
June 2nd I had the additional opp to participate in a live webinar with author, Sonja Corbitt, hosted by Ave Maria Press.
Thanks to Ave Maria Press for providing an ecopy for reading and review without cost or compensation.
December 31, 2015
I feel as though I will need to read this one and then re-read it many times. I often get into despairing mood in which it seems as though God is silent and distant. This book has changed the way I read Scripture.
I read in the book that if you always choose your own readings, you are basically just medicating yourself. I heard a priest repeat this very same sentiment several days later at a church I don't usually attend. Now I have been diligently following the church's daily readings and following the Holy Spirit's lead there, while also choosing my own readings from time to time!
The idea about journaling has been very fruitful over the week or so I've been doing it. We'll see where that goes!
I think I will need to re-read to allow all of the ideas to sink firmly in.
I read in the book that if you always choose your own readings, you are basically just medicating yourself. I heard a priest repeat this very same sentiment several days later at a church I don't usually attend. Now I have been diligently following the church's daily readings and following the Holy Spirit's lead there, while also choosing my own readings from time to time!
The idea about journaling has been very fruitful over the week or so I've been doing it. We'll see where that goes!
I think I will need to re-read to allow all of the ideas to sink firmly in.
August 6, 2015
Do you feel trapped? You want to serve the Lord, you desire to feel closer to him and more united with Him and His Will but you're stuck - unsure of how or where or when. This is your book. Sonja walks us through the process of allowing the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts, find the key to our spiritual cells, and open wide the doors until we are "Unleashed".
Through her own experiences, scriptural references, and provoking questions, Sonja invites us on a journey with her to dig down deep - to where all the nitty gritty stuff of our souls have been hiding - and release it all. This book can be used alone or in a book study group.
Through her own experiences, scriptural references, and provoking questions, Sonja invites us on a journey with her to dig down deep - to where all the nitty gritty stuff of our souls have been hiding - and release it all. This book can be used alone or in a book study group.
February 21, 2018
I read this book during a book study and we watched the supplemental videos that Sonja Corbitt filmed to go with the book. I liked the book and loved the videos. The videos showed Sonja's deep knowledge and passion for the subject. By using both the videos and the book together - I learned a lot and enjoyed the journey.
January 25, 2017
A Catholic author and speaker gives us this devotional book to help us find how to unleash the power of God’s Holy spirit in our everyday lives through figuring out lessons God wants to teach us. Lots of Scripture sources and how to apply them to our relationships.
August 29, 2015
Chapter 7 made this book totally worth it.
April 5, 2016
Excellent book to help you overcome the various obstacles from your past (memories, relationships, struggles, sins, etc.) that are keeping you from giving yourself fully to God.
July 23, 2016
Good ideas here but hard to read. Super disjointed. Found it to be just meh.
December 17, 2015
Great read to interest you in reading the bible. Observe how
messages in the bible affect your every day life.
messages in the bible affect your every day life.
April 6, 2017
The best book I have read in a while.
This booked helped me unleash so many parts of me of me that I swept away. Now I can grow closer to God and my family. Think you Holy Spirit. Thank you Sonja.
This booked helped me unleash so many parts of me of me that I swept away. Now I can grow closer to God and my family. Think you Holy Spirit. Thank you Sonja.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews