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Free Me from Me: Escaping the Maze of Self-Centeredness by Embracing a God-Centered Life
288 pages, Hardcover
Published April 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 28, 2026
“Lord, free me from me”
Words can’t explain how much I loved this book. I am in awe. Not only does this book take you on a journey of uncomfortable healing and processing… but it shines the spoilt light on the humbleness of our priority to be seen. How we live in a world where it’s always “me, me, me”. Tears at the end. Couldn’t recommended more.
Words can’t explain how much I loved this book. I am in awe. Not only does this book take you on a journey of uncomfortable healing and processing… but it shines the spoilt light on the humbleness of our priority to be seen. How we live in a world where it’s always “me, me, me”. Tears at the end. Couldn’t recommended more.
July 22, 2026
SO good!!!
April 25, 2026
I have a feeling this is a book I’ll come back to when I start feeling the pressures of the world on my shoulders.
March 17, 2026
Thank you @waterbookmultnomah & @prhaudio for the eARC & ALC #PRHAudioPartner
Feeling the pressure to hold everything together, you may be stuck in a cycle of overthinking and self-focus. This book reframes that struggle as the “me-maze,” showing how shifting your center from self to God brings relief. Through honest stories and practical insight, it offers a freeing path toward rest, purpose, and a lighter, more grounded life.
I did not want to read a book about confronting my selfishness 🙈 but because I unexpectedly loved the author’s debut about singleness, I knew I needed to add this one to my list too.
As with his first, Ryan peels back the layers of your self-understanding and pushes you to reevaluate your current patterns. While we can all grow in greater surrender—placing God at the center instead of ourselves—I so appreciated the vulnerability with which the author demonstrates how difficult that truly is… on our own.
When God is the center, it’s not so hard to be freed from selfishness. And this book shows you how.
Perfect for you if you like: Self-help
Spiritual practices for christian living
Personal stories
Conversational tone
Diagrams/clear outlines
Similar:
Free of Me by Sharon Hodde Miller
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe by Jennie Allen
Feeling the pressure to hold everything together, you may be stuck in a cycle of overthinking and self-focus. This book reframes that struggle as the “me-maze,” showing how shifting your center from self to God brings relief. Through honest stories and practical insight, it offers a freeing path toward rest, purpose, and a lighter, more grounded life.
I did not want to read a book about confronting my selfishness 🙈 but because I unexpectedly loved the author’s debut about singleness, I knew I needed to add this one to my list too.
As with his first, Ryan peels back the layers of your self-understanding and pushes you to reevaluate your current patterns. While we can all grow in greater surrender—placing God at the center instead of ourselves—I so appreciated the vulnerability with which the author demonstrates how difficult that truly is… on our own.
When God is the center, it’s not so hard to be freed from selfishness. And this book shows you how.
Perfect for you if you like: Self-help
Spiritual practices for christian living
Personal stories
Conversational tone
Diagrams/clear outlines
Similar:
Free of Me by Sharon Hodde Miller
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe by Jennie Allen
May 25, 2026
**A powerful, soul-searching reminder that perhaps the freedom we desperately seek begins when we stop making ourselves the center of the story.**
Ryan Wekenman's *Free Me from Me* is a thoughtful, deeply encouraging exploration of one of the most paradoxical struggles of modern life: the harder we try to manage everything, understand everyone's opinions of us, and prove that we are enough, the more exhausted and imprisoned we can become. What if the answer is not to try harder, think more carefully, or become a more polished version of ourselves? What if the answer is to take ourselves off the throne and allow God to occupy the center of our lives?
This is the compelling invitation at the heart of Wekenman's book, and I find it both spiritually profound and remarkably relevant to the pressures of contemporary life.
We live in a culture that constantly encourages us to look inward, optimize ourselves, monitor our progress, curate our identities, and take responsibility for the outcomes of virtually everything. Self-awareness and personal growth certainly have their place, but they can quietly become another form of captivity. We start examining every conversation for signs that we said the wrong thing, replaying yesterday's mistakes, worrying about tomorrow's uncertainties, and measuring our worth against standards that always seem to move just beyond our reach.
Before we realize it, our inner lives have become exhausting places to inhabit.
**One of the most compelling ideas in this book is Wekenman's concept of the “me-maze”: the exhausting cycle that emerges when we place ourselves at the center of everything.** When every experience becomes a referendum on our worth, every mistake a threat to our identity, and every uncertain outcome a problem we must somehow control, even ordinary life can feel overwhelmingly complicated. We become preoccupied with ourselves, not necessarily because we are arrogant, but because we are frightened. We want reassurance that we are doing enough, being enough, and becoming the people we believe we ought to be.
Wekenman offers an alternative rooted in Christian faith: rather than attempting to manage the world from the limited perspective of our own anxieties, we can learn to center our lives on God. This is not an invitation to abandon responsibility or stop pursuing personal growth. It is an invitation to reconsider who carries the ultimate responsibility for our lives and where we seek our sense of worth.
There is something deeply liberating about that distinction. We can care about our work without allowing professional success to define us. We can love our families without believing we must control every aspect of their lives. We can make mistakes without turning them into permanent verdicts on our character. We can acknowledge our limitations without interpreting them as evidence that we have failed.
The freedom Wekenman describes is not necessarily the freedom to get everything we want. It is the freedom to stop believing that our peace depends on everything going according to plan.
I particularly appreciate the book's compassionate approach to self-centeredness. The phrase might initially sound like an accusation, suggesting selfishness or excessive pride. Yet Wekenman's exploration points toward something more subtle: the way an overwhelming preoccupation with ourselves can actually prevent us from experiencing the peace, connection, and purpose we desire. Constant self-evaluation can become a burden even when it originates in insecurity rather than vanity.
This is such an important distinction. Sometimes the person who thinks about themselves most is not the person who believes they are wonderful, but the person who is perpetually afraid they are not good enough. The endless internal negotiations, the need for reassurance, the mental rehearsals of difficult conversations, and the compulsion to anticipate every possible problem can consume enormous amounts of emotional energy.
Wekenman's God-centered perspective offers a different foundation for living. Instead of asking ourselves to resolve every uncertainty, it encourages us to practice trust. Instead of treating our achievements as proof of our worth, it reminds us that our value rests in something deeper than performance. And instead of imagining that we must hold our entire lives together through sheer effort, it invites us to acknowledge that we are human beings with limitations who can depend on God.
**What makes this message so meaningful is that it reframes surrender as freedom rather than defeat.**
We often resist surrender because we confuse it with passivity. We imagine that letting go means giving up, that trusting God means ignoring our responsibilities, or that accepting uncertainty means we have stopped caring. Yet there is a profound difference between doing what is ours to do and believing that everything depends on us.
We can prepare carefully for a difficult conversation without attempting to control how the other person will respond. We can work diligently on a challenging problem without demanding immediate certainty about the outcome. We can care deeply for the people we love while recognizing that their lives are not ours to orchestrate.
This shift can change not only how we experience stress but also how we relate to other people. When we are less consumed by our own fears and insecurities, we may become more available to the people around us. We can listen without constantly preparing our defense, love without demanding reassurance at every turn, and serve without needing every good deed to validate our identity.
There is also something beautiful about the connection between humility and peace that runs through this approach. Humility is often misunderstood as thinking less of ourselves, but a God-centered life suggests a different possibility: we do not have to spend so much energy thinking about ourselves at all. We can acknowledge our gifts without worshipping them, recognize our weaknesses without obsessing over them, and live with a greater awareness of the world beyond our private concerns.
Wekenman's combination of humor, personal anecdotes, theological reflection, and practical guidance makes this message approachable. Rather than presenting spiritual growth as an abstract ideal, he addresses the everyday experiences through which our self-preoccupation reveals itself: overthinking social interactions, worrying about the future, dwelling on past mistakes, and feeling responsible for outcomes beyond our control. His framework encourages readers to recognize these patterns and begin responding to them differently.
I especially appreciate that the central message is not about punishing ourselves for being imperfect. We do not escape the maze by becoming exceptionally disciplined, spiritually accomplished, or permanently free of anxious thoughts. That would simply give us another standard against which to judge ourselves. Instead, the invitation is to return our attention to God, again and again, whenever we notice that we have made our own performance, reputation, or emotional comfort the ultimate measure of our lives.
That makes the book's central prayer—*Lord, free me from me*—particularly powerful. It is short enough to remember in an ordinary moment of frustration, worry, or insecurity, yet it expresses an entire philosophy of spiritual life. It acknowledges our limitations, recognizes our need for help, and opens the possibility that freedom might begin not with greater self-control but with a renewed orientation toward God.
I also find the book's message relevant to the broader human search for meaning. Many of us spend years trying to construct a life that will finally make us feel secure: the right career, the right relationships, the right achievements, the right reputation. Yet even when we reach one milestone, another appears on the horizon. We keep moving the goalposts, convinced that peace is waiting just beyond the next accomplishment.
Wekenman challenges this endless pursuit by inviting us to reconsider the foundation upon which we build our lives. Perhaps peace is not a reward that arrives when we finally become impressive enough. Perhaps it begins when we recognize that our lives are part of a story much larger than our individual successes and failures.
This does not eliminate hardship or promise that faith will make every difficult circumstance easier. Rather, it offers a way of understanding our place within those circumstances. We are responsible for our choices, but we are not omnipotent. We can pursue meaningful goals without turning them into idols. We can experience disappointment without allowing it to consume our identities. And we can live with unanswered questions without assuming that uncertainty means we are lost.
Five enthusiastic stars for an insightful, compassionate, and spiritually grounding book! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Free Me from Me* is a wonderful reminder that personal growth does not have to become another exhausting project, and that faith can offer something our culture of constant self-improvement often struggles to provide: permission to recognize that we are not the center of the universe, and that we do not need to be.
What I find most valuable about Wekenman's message is its invitation to exchange self-preoccupation for trust, perfectionism for grace, and the exhausting pursuit of control for the freedom of placing our lives in God's hands. It encourages us to become more aware of our patterns without becoming trapped in endless self-analysis, to take responsibility without assuming responsibility for everything, and to pursue growth without treating our imperfections as enemies.
Ultimately, this is a book about learning to live with greater perspective. Our lives matter deeply, but they do not have to revolve around our fears, our achievements, or our need to be understood and approved of by everyone. When we stop demanding that we hold every piece of our existence together, we create room for faith, gratitude, service, and genuine connection.
For readers who find themselves caught in cycles of overthinking, self-doubt, perfectionism, or the exhausting belief that everything depends on them, Wekenman's message offers a hopeful alternative. We do not have to solve every problem today, anticipate every difficulty tomorrow, or prove our worth through an endless series of accomplishments.
Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is release what was never ours to control and return our attention to the One we trust.
**A beautiful reminder that freedom may begin when we stop asking how to make ourselves enough and start remembering that our lives were never meant to revolve around us.** ❤️
Ryan Wekenman's *Free Me from Me* is a thoughtful, deeply encouraging exploration of one of the most paradoxical struggles of modern life: the harder we try to manage everything, understand everyone's opinions of us, and prove that we are enough, the more exhausted and imprisoned we can become. What if the answer is not to try harder, think more carefully, or become a more polished version of ourselves? What if the answer is to take ourselves off the throne and allow God to occupy the center of our lives?
This is the compelling invitation at the heart of Wekenman's book, and I find it both spiritually profound and remarkably relevant to the pressures of contemporary life.
We live in a culture that constantly encourages us to look inward, optimize ourselves, monitor our progress, curate our identities, and take responsibility for the outcomes of virtually everything. Self-awareness and personal growth certainly have their place, but they can quietly become another form of captivity. We start examining every conversation for signs that we said the wrong thing, replaying yesterday's mistakes, worrying about tomorrow's uncertainties, and measuring our worth against standards that always seem to move just beyond our reach.
Before we realize it, our inner lives have become exhausting places to inhabit.
**One of the most compelling ideas in this book is Wekenman's concept of the “me-maze”: the exhausting cycle that emerges when we place ourselves at the center of everything.** When every experience becomes a referendum on our worth, every mistake a threat to our identity, and every uncertain outcome a problem we must somehow control, even ordinary life can feel overwhelmingly complicated. We become preoccupied with ourselves, not necessarily because we are arrogant, but because we are frightened. We want reassurance that we are doing enough, being enough, and becoming the people we believe we ought to be.
Wekenman offers an alternative rooted in Christian faith: rather than attempting to manage the world from the limited perspective of our own anxieties, we can learn to center our lives on God. This is not an invitation to abandon responsibility or stop pursuing personal growth. It is an invitation to reconsider who carries the ultimate responsibility for our lives and where we seek our sense of worth.
There is something deeply liberating about that distinction. We can care about our work without allowing professional success to define us. We can love our families without believing we must control every aspect of their lives. We can make mistakes without turning them into permanent verdicts on our character. We can acknowledge our limitations without interpreting them as evidence that we have failed.
The freedom Wekenman describes is not necessarily the freedom to get everything we want. It is the freedom to stop believing that our peace depends on everything going according to plan.
I particularly appreciate the book's compassionate approach to self-centeredness. The phrase might initially sound like an accusation, suggesting selfishness or excessive pride. Yet Wekenman's exploration points toward something more subtle: the way an overwhelming preoccupation with ourselves can actually prevent us from experiencing the peace, connection, and purpose we desire. Constant self-evaluation can become a burden even when it originates in insecurity rather than vanity.
This is such an important distinction. Sometimes the person who thinks about themselves most is not the person who believes they are wonderful, but the person who is perpetually afraid they are not good enough. The endless internal negotiations, the need for reassurance, the mental rehearsals of difficult conversations, and the compulsion to anticipate every possible problem can consume enormous amounts of emotional energy.
Wekenman's God-centered perspective offers a different foundation for living. Instead of asking ourselves to resolve every uncertainty, it encourages us to practice trust. Instead of treating our achievements as proof of our worth, it reminds us that our value rests in something deeper than performance. And instead of imagining that we must hold our entire lives together through sheer effort, it invites us to acknowledge that we are human beings with limitations who can depend on God.
**What makes this message so meaningful is that it reframes surrender as freedom rather than defeat.**
We often resist surrender because we confuse it with passivity. We imagine that letting go means giving up, that trusting God means ignoring our responsibilities, or that accepting uncertainty means we have stopped caring. Yet there is a profound difference between doing what is ours to do and believing that everything depends on us.
We can prepare carefully for a difficult conversation without attempting to control how the other person will respond. We can work diligently on a challenging problem without demanding immediate certainty about the outcome. We can care deeply for the people we love while recognizing that their lives are not ours to orchestrate.
This shift can change not only how we experience stress but also how we relate to other people. When we are less consumed by our own fears and insecurities, we may become more available to the people around us. We can listen without constantly preparing our defense, love without demanding reassurance at every turn, and serve without needing every good deed to validate our identity.
There is also something beautiful about the connection between humility and peace that runs through this approach. Humility is often misunderstood as thinking less of ourselves, but a God-centered life suggests a different possibility: we do not have to spend so much energy thinking about ourselves at all. We can acknowledge our gifts without worshipping them, recognize our weaknesses without obsessing over them, and live with a greater awareness of the world beyond our private concerns.
Wekenman's combination of humor, personal anecdotes, theological reflection, and practical guidance makes this message approachable. Rather than presenting spiritual growth as an abstract ideal, he addresses the everyday experiences through which our self-preoccupation reveals itself: overthinking social interactions, worrying about the future, dwelling on past mistakes, and feeling responsible for outcomes beyond our control. His framework encourages readers to recognize these patterns and begin responding to them differently.
I especially appreciate that the central message is not about punishing ourselves for being imperfect. We do not escape the maze by becoming exceptionally disciplined, spiritually accomplished, or permanently free of anxious thoughts. That would simply give us another standard against which to judge ourselves. Instead, the invitation is to return our attention to God, again and again, whenever we notice that we have made our own performance, reputation, or emotional comfort the ultimate measure of our lives.
That makes the book's central prayer—*Lord, free me from me*—particularly powerful. It is short enough to remember in an ordinary moment of frustration, worry, or insecurity, yet it expresses an entire philosophy of spiritual life. It acknowledges our limitations, recognizes our need for help, and opens the possibility that freedom might begin not with greater self-control but with a renewed orientation toward God.
I also find the book's message relevant to the broader human search for meaning. Many of us spend years trying to construct a life that will finally make us feel secure: the right career, the right relationships, the right achievements, the right reputation. Yet even when we reach one milestone, another appears on the horizon. We keep moving the goalposts, convinced that peace is waiting just beyond the next accomplishment.
Wekenman challenges this endless pursuit by inviting us to reconsider the foundation upon which we build our lives. Perhaps peace is not a reward that arrives when we finally become impressive enough. Perhaps it begins when we recognize that our lives are part of a story much larger than our individual successes and failures.
This does not eliminate hardship or promise that faith will make every difficult circumstance easier. Rather, it offers a way of understanding our place within those circumstances. We are responsible for our choices, but we are not omnipotent. We can pursue meaningful goals without turning them into idols. We can experience disappointment without allowing it to consume our identities. And we can live with unanswered questions without assuming that uncertainty means we are lost.
Five enthusiastic stars for an insightful, compassionate, and spiritually grounding book! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Free Me from Me* is a wonderful reminder that personal growth does not have to become another exhausting project, and that faith can offer something our culture of constant self-improvement often struggles to provide: permission to recognize that we are not the center of the universe, and that we do not need to be.
What I find most valuable about Wekenman's message is its invitation to exchange self-preoccupation for trust, perfectionism for grace, and the exhausting pursuit of control for the freedom of placing our lives in God's hands. It encourages us to become more aware of our patterns without becoming trapped in endless self-analysis, to take responsibility without assuming responsibility for everything, and to pursue growth without treating our imperfections as enemies.
Ultimately, this is a book about learning to live with greater perspective. Our lives matter deeply, but they do not have to revolve around our fears, our achievements, or our need to be understood and approved of by everyone. When we stop demanding that we hold every piece of our existence together, we create room for faith, gratitude, service, and genuine connection.
For readers who find themselves caught in cycles of overthinking, self-doubt, perfectionism, or the exhausting belief that everything depends on them, Wekenman's message offers a hopeful alternative. We do not have to solve every problem today, anticipate every difficulty tomorrow, or prove our worth through an endless series of accomplishments.
Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is release what was never ours to control and return our attention to the One we trust.
**A beautiful reminder that freedom may begin when we stop asking how to make ourselves enough and start remembering that our lives were never meant to revolve around us.** ❤️
April 14, 2026
If you’re anything like me, you have spent far too much time stuck in what Ryan calls a “me maze” — a maze of overthinking, comparing, self-analyzing and trying to do it all on your own.
Ryan Wekenman is a pastor who cares DEEPLY about people and wants to see them live the life of freedom that God has for them. I’m his sister-in-law, so trust me, I had every reason to be skeptical when he told me he was writing a book. I even had a quiet moment of, what if it’s terrible and I have to pretend it’s good? His first book Single Today, was amazing…but what if he’s a one hit wonder? You know those people who have been told they are amazing singers their whole lives and then they audition for American Idol and turns out they aren’t that great and are crushed when the judges tell them?!
That is NOT this book. Thank God. This book is thoughtful, honest, and incredibly impactful. Turns out, I can continue to live a life of authenticity and integrity when I tell you that you NEED to read Free me From Me.
Broken up into four sections, Ryan tells a story of the day he had a panic attack in New York City, and the lessons he has since learned. We all struggle in similar ways, because we constantly carry a weight we were never meant to carry…the weight of putting self at the center rather than living our lives with God at the center.
One line that has stayed with me: “You don’t have to audition for your role as an image bearer—it’s who you are.” That alone is worth the read.
In a world that constantly tells us to look inward, live our truth, improve ourselves, and build our identity around us, this book gently but clearly shows us a better way, and that way is Jesus. Ryan doesn’t just explain why we feel stuck, he gives real, practical ways to make changes and move forward living more FREE. I’ve found myself praying, “Free me from me,” more times than I can count since reading it.
Don’t just skim this review and move on—actually buy the book. Read it slowly. Let it challenge you. Let God speak to you through the words on the pages. I truly believe this book has the potential to bring freedom to so many people—and I don’t say that just because I’m related to the author. I say it because I’ve seen what it’s already done in me.
Ryan Wekenman is a pastor who cares DEEPLY about people and wants to see them live the life of freedom that God has for them. I’m his sister-in-law, so trust me, I had every reason to be skeptical when he told me he was writing a book. I even had a quiet moment of, what if it’s terrible and I have to pretend it’s good? His first book Single Today, was amazing…but what if he’s a one hit wonder? You know those people who have been told they are amazing singers their whole lives and then they audition for American Idol and turns out they aren’t that great and are crushed when the judges tell them?!
That is NOT this book. Thank God. This book is thoughtful, honest, and incredibly impactful. Turns out, I can continue to live a life of authenticity and integrity when I tell you that you NEED to read Free me From Me.
Broken up into four sections, Ryan tells a story of the day he had a panic attack in New York City, and the lessons he has since learned. We all struggle in similar ways, because we constantly carry a weight we were never meant to carry…the weight of putting self at the center rather than living our lives with God at the center.
One line that has stayed with me: “You don’t have to audition for your role as an image bearer—it’s who you are.” That alone is worth the read.
In a world that constantly tells us to look inward, live our truth, improve ourselves, and build our identity around us, this book gently but clearly shows us a better way, and that way is Jesus. Ryan doesn’t just explain why we feel stuck, he gives real, practical ways to make changes and move forward living more FREE. I’ve found myself praying, “Free me from me,” more times than I can count since reading it.
Don’t just skim this review and move on—actually buy the book. Read it slowly. Let it challenge you. Let God speak to you through the words on the pages. I truly believe this book has the potential to bring freedom to so many people—and I don’t say that just because I’m related to the author. I say it because I’ve seen what it’s already done in me.
September 29, 2026
In our culture today of vanity and materialism, getting out of self is a skill that has to be practiced—if not, it can be lost. What is the best way to get out of self? To let Christ sit on His rightful throne.
Free Me From Me is for any Christian. Ryan goes over four different profiles in the book: the Performer, Comparer, Avoider, and Controller. I have been all four, but in this season of my life, I realized I was being the Avoider.
As I was reading the book, I went through a personal experience where I needed to be confrontational to get things moving in my Job. I did, and it worked out. The perspective this book gave me helped me navigate that situation and recognize something in myself that I needed to work on.
One of my favorite parts of the book is that Ryan uses personal stories to illustrate his ideas. He also uses tons of biblical references, with a notes section at the end where you can look up passages related to what he is discussing.
He also gives you a toolbox with practical advice for dealing with different situations. My favorite tool was the breath prayer.
I’m a Psychology PhD student, and there is a growing body of literature looking at how changing the speed of your breathing can affect your physiology. Pairing that with the breath prayer Ryan teaches can take the practice a level deeper—not only helping you slow down physically, but creating space to turn your attention away from yourself and toward God.
That, to me, captures the heart of Free Me From Me: getting out of self and letting Christ sit on His rightful throne. Will def be revisiting this book!
Free Me From Me is for any Christian. Ryan goes over four different profiles in the book: the Performer, Comparer, Avoider, and Controller. I have been all four, but in this season of my life, I realized I was being the Avoider.
As I was reading the book, I went through a personal experience where I needed to be confrontational to get things moving in my Job. I did, and it worked out. The perspective this book gave me helped me navigate that situation and recognize something in myself that I needed to work on.
One of my favorite parts of the book is that Ryan uses personal stories to illustrate his ideas. He also uses tons of biblical references, with a notes section at the end where you can look up passages related to what he is discussing.
He also gives you a toolbox with practical advice for dealing with different situations. My favorite tool was the breath prayer.
I’m a Psychology PhD student, and there is a growing body of literature looking at how changing the speed of your breathing can affect your physiology. Pairing that with the breath prayer Ryan teaches can take the practice a level deeper—not only helping you slow down physically, but creating space to turn your attention away from yourself and toward God.
That, to me, captures the heart of Free Me From Me: getting out of self and letting Christ sit on His rightful throne. Will def be revisiting this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Free Me From Me by Ryan Wekenman is a timely and much-needed book, especially in a culture that constantly encourages self-focus. Wekenman explores what he calls the “me-maze trap,” closely related to the spotlight effect—the belief that everything revolves around us. He gently but clearly redirects readers away from self-centered living and toward a life surrendered to God, where true peace and rest are found.
What I appreciated most is that this is not a guilt-driven or condemning book. Instead, it is an invitation into freedom—freedom that comes from allowing God to sit at the center of our lives rather than ourselves. Through relatable personal stories, Wekenman effectively illustrates how easily we fall into patterns of striving, comparison, avoidance, and control, and how empty those patterns ultimately are.
The book reminds us that life is not defined by performance or perfection, but by the freedom that only Christ can provide. One particularly powerful insight comes from Wekenman’s reflection on Adam’s response after the Fall:
“I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” He explains how that moment marked a shift in motivation—from love to fear: fear of being seen, known, and exposed. This perspective is both sobering and illuminating.
Free Me From Me serves as a strong reminder to continually realign our focus on the Lord rather than ourselves. It would make an excellent choice for a small group study or a meaningful gift for anyone seeking spiritual clarity and renewal.
★★★★☆
What I appreciated most is that this is not a guilt-driven or condemning book. Instead, it is an invitation into freedom—freedom that comes from allowing God to sit at the center of our lives rather than ourselves. Through relatable personal stories, Wekenman effectively illustrates how easily we fall into patterns of striving, comparison, avoidance, and control, and how empty those patterns ultimately are.
The book reminds us that life is not defined by performance or perfection, but by the freedom that only Christ can provide. One particularly powerful insight comes from Wekenman’s reflection on Adam’s response after the Fall:
“I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” He explains how that moment marked a shift in motivation—from love to fear: fear of being seen, known, and exposed. This perspective is both sobering and illuminating.
Free Me From Me serves as a strong reminder to continually realign our focus on the Lord rather than ourselves. It would make an excellent choice for a small group study or a meaningful gift for anyone seeking spiritual clarity and renewal.
★★★★☆
April 20, 2026
Lord free me from myself!
This book dives into what many of us struggle with in the modern age - self-centered spirituality.
Reading about the four levels: performing, comparing, avoiding, and controlling that we all struggle with when we take God off the pedestal and put ourselves at the center was enlightening and educating.
This book is not one you read once and put on your bookshelf, but rather, read once a year or ideally every couple of months to re-remind yourself that life isn’t about you, but rather the God you serve that is so great and loving!
Quotes from the book that stuck with me:
“We are all equally in Christ, whether you’re a teacher, stay at home parent or entrepreneur.”
“Ironically, thinking about others is the best way to feel better about yourself.”
These show that God loves everyone equally, no matter your job or status in the world - something many people tend to idolize, and that serving others is the key to getting out of the “me maze.”
I also loved the way Jesus is included in the book as the ultimate person to personify - “Rather than performing, he’d walk into rooms and look for people to love, help, and heal. When he showed up, people were drawn to him, but he didn’t use that power to search for validation for himself. Rather, he used that as an opportunity to build others up.”
Overall would recommend to anyone and everyone that feels tired with putting everything on their shoulders!
This book dives into what many of us struggle with in the modern age - self-centered spirituality.
Reading about the four levels: performing, comparing, avoiding, and controlling that we all struggle with when we take God off the pedestal and put ourselves at the center was enlightening and educating.
This book is not one you read once and put on your bookshelf, but rather, read once a year or ideally every couple of months to re-remind yourself that life isn’t about you, but rather the God you serve that is so great and loving!
Quotes from the book that stuck with me:
“We are all equally in Christ, whether you’re a teacher, stay at home parent or entrepreneur.”
“Ironically, thinking about others is the best way to feel better about yourself.”
These show that God loves everyone equally, no matter your job or status in the world - something many people tend to idolize, and that serving others is the key to getting out of the “me maze.”
I also loved the way Jesus is included in the book as the ultimate person to personify - “Rather than performing, he’d walk into rooms and look for people to love, help, and heal. When he showed up, people were drawn to him, but he didn’t use that power to search for validation for himself. Rather, he used that as an opportunity to build others up.”
Overall would recommend to anyone and everyone that feels tired with putting everything on their shoulders!
April 16, 2026
This isn't just a book you read - it's a book that reads you. Free Me From Me transforms you not by telling you what to do, but by asking deep questions that stay with you long after you turn the page. It invites you to slow down, to journal, to breathe, to pray, and to wrestle with yourself.
This is the kind of book that creates moments where silence feels necessary, as you begin to uncover patterns you haven't yet named: fear, control, pride, and self-reliance (just to name a few) - as if the author anticipated your inner dialogue. Rather than feeling condemned, I felt seen and understood.
Each chapter serves as both a mirror and a guide, revealing where I've been stuck while also pointing me toward healing, growth, and surrender. The message is clear: true freedom doesn't come from fixing everything on our own, but from allowing God to transform us from the inside out by placing Him at the center.
You can feel the heart behind every word. It's pastoral, wise, and deeply rooted in truth, yet incredibly practical. It's gentle, but it also truthfully confronts the internal struggles we all face: the habits, thoughts, and patterns that quietly hold us back from the freedom God desires for us.
If you've ever felt stuck, or longing for deeper freedom in your faith, this book is an absolute must-read!
This is the kind of book that creates moments where silence feels necessary, as you begin to uncover patterns you haven't yet named: fear, control, pride, and self-reliance (just to name a few) - as if the author anticipated your inner dialogue. Rather than feeling condemned, I felt seen and understood.
Each chapter serves as both a mirror and a guide, revealing where I've been stuck while also pointing me toward healing, growth, and surrender. The message is clear: true freedom doesn't come from fixing everything on our own, but from allowing God to transform us from the inside out by placing Him at the center.
You can feel the heart behind every word. It's pastoral, wise, and deeply rooted in truth, yet incredibly practical. It's gentle, but it also truthfully confronts the internal struggles we all face: the habits, thoughts, and patterns that quietly hold us back from the freedom God desires for us.
If you've ever felt stuck, or longing for deeper freedom in your faith, this book is an absolute must-read!
April 14, 2026
I just started reading Free Me from Me and wow… it meets you right where you are.
It gently but honestly calls out something so many of us feel but don’t always name, the exhaustion of carrying a life that was never meant to be centered on us. The overthinking, the pressure to be enough, the constant striving, he puts language to it in a way that feels both convicting and freeing at the same time.
One of the biggest takeaways for me so far is this idea of the “me-maze”. How easy it is to get stuck in cycles of self-focus, even when we’re trying to grow, improve, or “do better.” And yet, the invitation of this book isn’t shame… it’s surrender.
What I appreciate most is how practical and relatable it is. It’s not overly theological in a way that feels distant, it’s grounded, honest, and actually applicable to everyday life. You can tell it’s written from a place of both truth and lived experience.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of trying to hold everything together, or caught yourself stuck in your own head, this one is worth your time.
Honestly, it feels like a deep exhale.
It gently but honestly calls out something so many of us feel but don’t always name, the exhaustion of carrying a life that was never meant to be centered on us. The overthinking, the pressure to be enough, the constant striving, he puts language to it in a way that feels both convicting and freeing at the same time.
One of the biggest takeaways for me so far is this idea of the “me-maze”. How easy it is to get stuck in cycles of self-focus, even when we’re trying to grow, improve, or “do better.” And yet, the invitation of this book isn’t shame… it’s surrender.
What I appreciate most is how practical and relatable it is. It’s not overly theological in a way that feels distant, it’s grounded, honest, and actually applicable to everyday life. You can tell it’s written from a place of both truth and lived experience.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of trying to hold everything together, or caught yourself stuck in your own head, this one is worth your time.
Honestly, it feels like a deep exhale.
November 20, 2025
Free Me From Me is a much needed book more than ever I believe.. Ryan Wenkenman discusses what he calls the me-maze~the trap of thinking life is all about us, our performances, worries, etc…In the book he navigates us to the alternative: living with God at the controls of our lives and finding true peace and rest for our weariness.
I love the book isn’t a guilt ridden book but more about finding true freedom and allowing God to be the center of our lives. His use of personal stories really encourages and drives his points home. Life is more than our performance, comparing, avoiding, and controlling. It’s about freedom only
Christ can give.
Only suggestion I have is to put the scripture by the quote next time. For newer believers it is helpful and forces us to read where the text is located instead of relying on someone to view the back of the book.
Overall it’s an excellent book I look forward to rereading. with a small group. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley and Penguin Random House Christian Publishing. All opinions are my own.
I love the book isn’t a guilt ridden book but more about finding true freedom and allowing God to be the center of our lives. His use of personal stories really encourages and drives his points home. Life is more than our performance, comparing, avoiding, and controlling. It’s about freedom only
Christ can give.
Only suggestion I have is to put the scripture by the quote next time. For newer believers it is helpful and forces us to read where the text is located instead of relying on someone to view the back of the book.
Overall it’s an excellent book I look forward to rereading. with a small group. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley and Penguin Random House Christian Publishing. All opinions are my own.
May 15, 2026
Goodreads Book Giveaway Winner
As a person who does not disbelieve in God but does not exactly believe the imperfections of God spoken of by humans in their imperfect ways, I actually enjoyed this book. I think the author has it right when he says that we need to get out of our own way and let the greater powers of the world guide us. I think that he is correct in the assumption that it is hard for most, if not all, humans to do. I do agree with his perspective on the different types of people getting stuck in their Me-Mazes. I enjoyed it. I also think that people of faith may have aha moments when they read it. I hope so. I hope this book helps people relinquish control for the good of humanity. Thank you for writing this book. I will be sure to share it with others I think may enjoy it.
As a person who does not disbelieve in God but does not exactly believe the imperfections of God spoken of by humans in their imperfect ways, I actually enjoyed this book. I think the author has it right when he says that we need to get out of our own way and let the greater powers of the world guide us. I think that he is correct in the assumption that it is hard for most, if not all, humans to do. I do agree with his perspective on the different types of people getting stuck in their Me-Mazes. I enjoyed it. I also think that people of faith may have aha moments when they read it. I hope so. I hope this book helps people relinquish control for the good of humanity. Thank you for writing this book. I will be sure to share it with others I think may enjoy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2026
I genuinely enjoyed this book, it came at the perfect time in my faith journey. As someone new to Christianity, its message about being made in God’s image completely reshaped how I see myself. It gave me a stronger sense of purpose, identity, and a real desire to live in alignment with Jesus and reflect Him in the way I live.
The author shares his own (no so glamorous) life experiences to illustrate what it looks like to live a Christ-centered life. His honesty made me smile, laugh, and—much to my surprise—relate to him in ways I never expected.
I’ll carry the lessons/tools this book gave me for the rest of my life, in my journey to grow closer to God.
The author shares his own (no so glamorous) life experiences to illustrate what it looks like to live a Christ-centered life. His honesty made me smile, laugh, and—much to my surprise—relate to him in ways I never expected.
I’ll carry the lessons/tools this book gave me for the rest of my life, in my journey to grow closer to God.
May 16, 2026
Free Me From Me is all about taking yourself out of the center of your life and putting Jesus there. When Jesus is at the center of your world, you are able to drop your shoulders because the pressure isn’t on you anymore. Your trust and faith is in the creator. This is one of the most challenging things I deal with on a day to day basis, trying to think of myself less. Ryan does such an incredible job at being relatable throughout the read that it feels like he was speaking directly to me. I really really enjoyed this read.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
DNF. The reason for 2 stars is simply because the writing wasn’t something that I could enjoy or focus on reading through. Perhaps it’s only because I received the uncorrected and advance version, but this felt more like journal entries, rather than an organized storytelling. For some, this book will be great and helpful, practical even. But unfortunately, I wasn’t one of those who could make it through.
September 1, 2026
This book isn’t “self-help”, it’s a great resource on how to have God’s help in every area of our lives. By peeling back each layer of the “me maze” we can release things we didn’t know we’d been holding onto for far too long. Ryan is an excellent communicator and this book is such a blessing to read and read again! It has a great 10 week study I’ve really enjoyed with my small group.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Really good book to help take the focus off of me and put it where it rightly belongs on Jesus. Written in such a way that it feels like you having a conversation with a friend that really wants to help you grow.
June 2, 2026
I loved the concept of this book and found a few nuggets that will stay with me. I did feel like I was reading the same thing said a different way from chapter to chapter, but helped the message sync in.
April 16, 2026
Can’t wait to read this book! I’m so fucked up and I can’t wait to be set straight.
June 7, 2026
He’s done it again!! Such a great read and super important in today’s day in age! Highly, highly reccomend to everyone & I definitely think this is a book i’ll come back to and read again and again.
June 18, 2026
This book exceeded my expectations. I loved the insights and would recommend it to everyone, including those who may already believe they are “free” from themselves.
June 26, 2026
4.5⭐️ Gets to the ROOT of why we read so many self help books and why they never help :) cannot recommend enough - so many golden nuggets!
July 17, 2026
Fantastic Reading
Takes you to the very truth …
God is Good
Amen 🙏
Takes you to the very truth …
God is Good
Amen 🙏
August 17, 2026
Lord free me from me. Such a great book on how to chip away at yourself and let God free you from your own trap.
August 18, 2026
Every person that reads this will walk away understanding themselves and their faith more deeply
August 23, 2026
The Lord is my Shepard, I lack nothing!
August 26, 2026
Helped me grow closer to god
May 2, 2026
This read a bit like a series of blogs and essays that flow well together. The text is plain spoken and a very nice companion to any morning quiet time. I really like where Wekenman takes this concept and his breath prayer examples are quite helpful. This is a nice little book that meets our cultural moments well.
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