Layers: Uncovering and Celebrating God's Original Idea of You

by Sandi Patty

A look through life's failures and fears to find the real woman God intended you to be. On athletic fields children wear safety equpment to keep them from getting hurt. In battle soldiers wear body armor to protect them. But when we're safe and secure with our friends and families, we should not need protective layers. Yet many of us wear them . . . protective emotional and behavioral layers that we use to shield us from life's heart hurts. Those layers are different for each of anger, shame, guilt, perfectionism, withdrawal, overeating, addiction, or other compulsive behaviors. Sometimes they even start out as something good?laughing through our tears and masking our real feelings to get through public situations. But when they stay too long, those protective layers get firmly attached, eventually imprisoning us and preventing us from being the cherished creations God intended us to be. In Layers , acclaimed recording artist Sandi Patty invites you to join her in a journey of self-discovery, peeling back the layers of her life and yours to celebrate the real you God created you to be.

Genres: Christian

185 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2008

About the author

FROM BOOK:
Sandi Patty is the most awarded Christian female vocalist in contemporary Christian music history, with 39 Dove Awards, 5 Grammy Awards, and 4 Billboard Music Awards. Her 23 albums have sold more than 11 million units, including 3 platinum and 5 gold recordings. She has regularly appeared on network television. In 2004, Sandi was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.

Reviews

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was encouraging, challenging, vulnerable, and real. I gained some insight into all the ways we can adapt to protect ourselves. Her chapter about hoarding made me think about that topic in a way I never have before. As I was reading this, I was also reading "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis. I noticed some similar themes, and it was so cool to find a chapter in "Layers" about that book! I'm grateful for the experience of reading Sandi Patty's book...and inspired by her courage in writing it.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sandi Patty continues to share with us her path towards becoming the woman, not just the performer, with God's help she wants to be. Her analogy of using "layers" that we have put on to cover up hurt and pain in our lives brings a visual analogy to the story and makes you envision how many you may (or may not) have in your own life. She also includes antidotes from her own life to encourage you to look at using these skills with your own family and relationships.

[Camiwar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came as a real surprise for me, not being a die-hard fan. It was real, common-sense approach to facing our past in order to embrace our present and to be the best us for the Lord in the future. The layers mean the protections and walls we build to feel less vulnerable, but we need to peel them away and see ourselves for the true beauty God sees through His eyes.

[Karen Roettger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book at a Women of Faith weekend quite a few years ago. I chose to finally read it to satisfy my 2019 Popsugar Challenge for “read a book written by a musician”. She challenges us to confront our Layers & with God’s help peel them away & celebrate the life He has given us to the fullest.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandi Patty is very open about her personal struggles and how she overcame some of them and is still working on others “later by layer” with the Lord’s help. Her transparency will aide many others who are hurting from past abuse.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another borrowed book that I've had for several years but actually enjoyed more than I expected. Probably the biggest lesson for me is to be more caring and less judgmental as people struggle with sin in their life. I identify with Barbara Johnson who says God has blessed her with a "bubble of joy." What a blessing, but it's not the norm.
Patty reminds us, "You can't fix broken people with a hammer when what they need is a kind touch and tenderness." "Hurt people hurt people."
Marilyn Meberg encourages "nonintrusive friendliness."

[Lana Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A follow-up to "Broken in the Back Row," Sandi Patty goes into more detail about her recovery process from childhood abuse at the hands of a baby sitter. She talks about the Layers a person can surround herself with to cover past pain. Some Layers she mentioned were: over commitment, addictions of any kind, and always feeling the need to smile and be strong. I especially liked her process of learning she could make choices.

[Coralyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has helped me take off the covers that I have put on throughout my life. Especially the layers from childhood abuse.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book...not a how to but more of an informative.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

[Dee Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Even though our situations and circumstances are different, we share similar experiences and feelings of low self worth. Excellent read!