Shame Off You:Washing Away The Mud That Hides Our True Selves

by Alan D. Wright

Hope for the Restless, Hurting Heart

“Shame on you.” We’ve all heard those words and felt the sting in our souls. We might try hard to earn love and acceptance for a while, but eventually we find ourselves exhausted, anxious, despaired. Shame can motivate us to try harder but it never sets us free. It is, in short, a lie that steals real peace and hides true joy. Now Alan D. Wright shares in a refreshing new way how to let the grace and power of Jesus Christ transform you and unlock the key to an entirely new way of living and loving. While he experienced this liberation for himself, as a pastor he has also guided countless others to the same place of freedom. Here’s how to give up your tireless quest for the approval of others, find rest in God’s love, and turn the exhortation upside where the shame comes off you…for good!

They Say Success Is Sweet…



Too Bad You Don’t Enjoy It.

You could be relishing your accomplishments. Instead, are you plagued

 Feeling like the pressure’s always on?

 Wishing it didn’t matter so much what others think of you?

 The same reoccurring sins or addictions?

 Regret for criticizing those you love?

Then it’s time to overthrow the tyrant within. It’s a lie called shame that whispers, You’re not good enough.

With a brilliant combination of humor, biblical wisdom, and practical guidance, pastor Alan Wright invites you to get grounded in God’s grace. It’s the only Truth powerful enough to banish the lie. And it’s the only way you can receive the life you struggle so hard for, but never attain. A place of contentment and love is waiting for you—if you dare accept the gift.

Don’t wait. Get the shame off you— for good!

Story Behind the Book

“When I was in the fourth grade, we had a ‘family meeting’ at which my dad announced that he wouldn’t be living at home anymore. Thus ended my happy world. I launched into a life of superlative success. But my secret master motivation was not joy, but fear. Some years ago I began a ruthless self inventory that uncovered the various manifestations of shame in my life. I found that it was not as powerful as I once thought and that I could change by the healing grace of Jesus Christ. Over the years, I developed a passion for telling people how they could release their shame to Christ and be healed by His love and grace.” — Alan D. Wright

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 26, 2005

Reviews

[Dave Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

hard book to rate. on one hand, the subject matter is a very important one. and the author writes well enough, i suppose. but i just didnt love this book. it might be that i think he writes impatiently, and that the writing really didnt grip me at all. it might be that it sometimes didnt feel genuine. it might be that it just didnt resonate with me like it would others--my friend Jim LOVES this book. really, i think it may be that the timing of this book in my life is off.

what gets me, though, is that throughout his book, he talks about shame coming off of you, but in his own life, he didnt read a book to do this. he had a powerful experience with the Holy Spirit, which dramatically changed his life. the spirit of God rid him of the shame. but in the book, it seems like he never really advocated this for you at all, in my opinion. that's not to say that he didnt have a lot of good things to say. on the contrary. he said some things that i'll never forget. there are some really potent nuggets in here.

all in all, it's a good book. i wanted to love this book--i thought i would have. but it just didnt have that x-factor that great books have. i almost felt shame for not liking this as much as my friend, but then i realized...shame off me. :)

[Maggie Schwarting · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not a parenting book, this book completely changed the way I loved and cared for my family the first time I read it so many years ago.

“God does not motivate by withholding love, but by giving love.”

It’s one I read again and again, as it ignites continual awe of the New Covenant, written on our hearts.

“It was too good to be true. Yet it is true”

[Mark Drinnenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book back in the fall and forgot to come on here and talk about it. While it is well-written and has such a freeing message, I must admit that the five stars I gave it might have something to do with how important it has been in my life. God's grace is so huge in my theology, but I found that I haven't been allowing that grace to flow through my own day-to-day experiences. This book prompted some introspection and reflection upon my own upbringing and journey through adulthood to this point, and by the time I finished this read, some chains had definitely fallen off. If you struggle with a sense of shame in your life, I heartily commend this book to you, though you may have to look for it under its new title: Free Yourself, Be Yourself: Find the Power to Escape Your Past.

[Abby]

Wright does an excellent job of carefully explaining each point, making his terms easy to follow and structuring the book well. I will say there are certainly parts that are harder to read than others, either because of the applicability to my own life or lack thereof. However, I think the book as a whole is incredibly well written and does an excellent job of explaining the main points. Definitely a book I'll be keeping around!

[Bgordondavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give it a 5 star among the "teaching/inspirational" category of books. Extremely insightful and relevant to my life. The really cool part was that the last couple of chapters did not scale off with rhetoric, but climaxed with rich truth.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't realize how much shame affects my daily life. Good advice on relationships, boundaries, parenting and self-image. The workbook is great, too.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life-changing. I learned a lot about myself.