It's Okay Not to Be Okay: Moving Forward One Day at a Time

by Sheila Walsh

We've all experienced that moment where we wish we could start all over again. Failed marriages, lost friends, addictions, lost jobs. This is not the life we imagined. Yesterday can sometimes leave us stuck, sad, shamed, scared, and searching. Sheila Walsh encourages readers to face the pain head on and then start again, from right where they are. She shares that when she discovered "I'm not good enough and I'm good with that," everything started to change.In It's Okay Not to Be Okay, Walsh helps women overcome the same old rut of struggles and pain by changing the way they think about God, themselves, and their everyday lives. She shares practical, doable, daily strategies that will help women move forward one step at a time knowing God will never let them down.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Self Help, Christian Living, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Mental Health

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Sheila Walsh (05-07-1956) is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. A featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word.

Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States.

Sheila co-hosted The 700 Club and her own show Heart to Heart with Sheila Walsh. She is currently completing her Masters in Theology.

Twitter @SheilaWalsh, facebook.com/#!/sheilawalshconnects

Reviews

[MK ( MaKayla) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether the scars from your past still haunt you , or you're dealing with something that you think you can't make it through , read this .

I kept beating myself up over my inability to let old pains and heartaches go .I was angry that I couldn't seem to get past old wounds ,but this book has taught me that you have to give things time ,that it's ok to not be ok .

We cannot always control our circumstances whether because of our past mistakes or other people's choices ,we have to keep living ,we have to accept the burdens we are given to bear , we have to accept that they are a part of our lives and just keep living . In that time of acceptance God will begin heal us ,and work in our lives . Acceptance is growth .


Things that Sheila said that I cannot stop hearing in my mind ;

"You can do all the right things, but if you don’t know why you’re doing them you’ll abandon them when they’re no longer expected."

"Every battle begins in our minds, not with our behavior. We can behave a certain way and remain unchanged. If we want to change how we act, we have to change how we think."

"Think of your life as a painting: what are the brush strokes you’re adding each day? "

"Take every thought captive. Grab hold of every negative thing you’ve ever believed about yourself and replace it with truth. "

"There are moments in life when there is nothing you can do to control what’s happening. In those times, find your hiding place under the shelter of God’s wings."

"money is never enough to guarantee a peaceful life."

"The thing that will keep us strong and help us move forward is knowing that Christ is with us and for us, and the hope we have in Him ultimately will not disappoint."

"Celebrate Your Scars as Tattoos of Triumph"

"I wish I could sit down with you, look you in the eyes, and remind you that no matter what your scars are, internal or external, you are loved more than you have the capacity to bear."

"Abuse or trauma in childhood impacts how much of the real you that you allow the world to see."

"as long as there’s not a white chalk mark around your body, it’s never too late to start again . . . and again."

"neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God "

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're not supposed
to have enough.
We're supposed to bring
what we have,
our clearly not enough,
to Jesus and ask Him
to meet us where we are.
(p 121)

I loved the easy, approachable style of this book! Walsh teaches through story -- both biblical and personal -- and that's the only way I seem to be able to learn from a non-fiction book so this was tailor-made for me! And I so appreciated how she stripped everything down to the basics. We humans tend to make things so much more complicated than they need to be. Add onto that the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves and then the inner turmoil that comes when we fail...phew it's enough to boggle the mind!

"It's okay not to be okay,
because Jesus has made us
right with God."
(p 62)

Such a brilliantly simple concept so why is it so hard to remember? I have lived with this book for weeks now and I'm still not ready to let it go. I read and re-read snippets, applied myself to the One Step at a Time encouragements at the end of each chapter and have felt blessed every step of the way. My big takeaway is that there is freedom in knowing there is no end in sight to our ability to begin again...and again...and again...

"When our hearts are free
to love with abandon,
knowing that we're not being
judged for every failure,
our behavior changes."
(p 193)

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

[Lidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.” Grace is the opposite of karma. We get what we don’t deserve: the love, mercy, forgiveness of God. Grace is unmerited favor. Grace is here for you right now, in the middle of what is hard or not working. The writer to the Hebrews described it this way: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need"

Sheila Walsh is one of that author that conquers you with her honesty and simple way that reveals to you how you can fight life no matter what brings at you and that in the end God is every step with you, happy or sad, He is there with you encouraging and waiting to say yes to His love!

[Jennifer Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have gone through a few of Shelia's Bible Studies and I have always loved her stories, lessons and most of all her honesty. I could relate to everything she talking about in the book and I feel this book will be a great reference to me in times that I need it.

[Lori Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the life I imagined! Have you thought that -ever ? If so I suggest you pick up this book. Do you live your life with a list of things to change about yourself you know - get it right. Let go of beating yourself up trying to live the life Jesus never asked you to live. It really is ok not to be ok. That is why Jesus came.

[Eva-Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written and brought me to tears more than once. I didn't find much to be of practical help to me, but I think other people might. The author took stories from the Bible and wove them into the points she was making, which was really interesting.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Walsh's Bible studies and her books are always on my want to read list. It's Okay Not to Be Okay is one we all need to read and listen to.
I will be rereading it again.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book as a door prize at a women's retreat last year. It's a really good primer for combating the attitude that, as a Christian, you should be perfect, you need to be worthy of God's love, you should not fail. But that's not what the Bible teaches. There are many stories of people who were not okay, and that's okay! Jesus accepts and loves us in our brokenness!

[Shameka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book. The author provides practical tips for learning how not to focus on our failures (and the lack of confidence that failure often produces) but instead to rely on who we are in Jesus-perfect, loved, and whole. She gave examples of people in the Bible who were failures or who had made major mistakes yet were still used by God for a greater purpose. She also incorporates some of her own life into this book as an example to show that not even those who preach and encourage others always have it together themselves. Everything in the book wasn't applicable to me and my situation but the parts that were seemed like they would be helpful for me going forward. I am going to make the effort to apply some of these principles and I hope doing so will lead to positive change.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 2 out of 5]

IT’S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY: MOVING FORWARD ONE DAY AT A TIME
Written by Sheila Walsh
2018; Baker Books (208 Pages)
Genre: nonfiction, self-help, religious

RATING: 2 STARS

I found that the author was using this book as more of memoir weaved in with the bible rather than imparting wisdom. The few ideas that Walsh does bring up she unfortunately does not delve into it. I was skimming through the book as I was looking for something that wasn’t there. I think it would have helped having a ghost writer or co-author to keep the author on topic.

***I received a copy from the PUBLISHER***

My Novelesque Blog

[Lizzie Lowrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's no way Sheila Walsh looks in her 50's and I really don't think she needs a photo of herself on the cover. There are some good bits in the book but I think it's too American for me as I didn't really connect with it.

[Kristi Lindzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book for awhile, but was just led to read it now and I'm so glad that I did! For everything going on in the world right now, you don't feel ok or in control of anything - this shows that is just fine and that you aren't supposed to be. It's encouraging to hear that you are enough!

[Colleen Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just what I needed to understand that it's okay not to be okay. This book let's you know that you don't have to be perfect. God is always faithful and will be there for you.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila Walsh is an absolute gem.

I had no idea who she was prior to picking up this book. I don't even know how (or when) I came to buy a copy of this, but a few days ago I saw the title on my bookshelf and started reading. I planned to read a couple pages and put it back but instead ended up breezing through it.

A few things to know about me:

1. I do not read a lot of Christian books (non-fiction or otherwise). The ones I've read up to this point, I found to be a) uninteresting, b) too preachy, and/or c) unrelatable. I have started the Bible more times than I can count but have never stuck with it long enough to finish or to be knowledgeable.

2. I am a rocky Christian. I don't go to church nearly as often as I should. I don't pray on a regular basis. I don't spread the word of the Lord. My mom would love it if I did any (or all!) of these things, but I think at this point she's just happy that I'm not worshipping Satan. I'm a quiet Christian (if that's even a thing...).

3. Despite #1 and #2, I will tell anyone and everyone that I truly believe God got me through my divorce. It was the lowest I had been in my life and was the most worthless I had ever felt - which was saying something considering all the low times and worthless feelings I'd had up to that point. My family and my friends were absolutely there for me, but there was only so much they could do. No matter how badly they wanted to heal my hurt, it wasn't something they had the ability to do. At a certain point after my divorce, I wanted to give up. I wanted to actually just give up and not exist. My daughters were the only thing that kept me from doing something really, really stupid. And so when I realized that I couldn't do something really, really stupid and also realized that I could not handle anymore (there is a point when you are SO broken you cannot believe you haven't physically split in two), I gave it to God. I would journal nearly every day. When I wanted to say something to my ex (who did not give a rat's patootie about my thoughts or feelings or hurts or anything of the sort), I put it in my journal instead. And when the tears were falling and my handwriting was barely legible from shaking so badly, I would write, "God, help me." And He did. One day at a time, He did. I would ask for help - in my journal and out loud. I would listen to "God Only Knows" and "See the Light" on repeat - the ONLY two songs I could bear to listen to for the longest time.

BOY, I JUST GOT REALLY SIDETRACKED.

My point - yes, I sort of have one - is that there is a great relief that there is someone like Sheila out there who understands these situations and the pain. She talks about her own struggles (not with divorce) but also always acknowledges other "common" struggles as well and her empathy is so genuine that it's like a warm blanket. This is not Christianity that burns the sinners. This is the Christianity of forgiveness and love and grace.

She is refreshing and sweet and funny (I could not stop laughing at her skiing story). I loved that this wasn't a methodical self-help book - those never seem to actually help me with anything at all - but was instead a combination of her own stories, stories of those she has met over the years, stories from the Bible, and conversations with the reader that sometimes include advice and sometimes just include empathy and an acknowledgement of not knowing that exact feeling.

I am past my divorce (mostly - it's a wound that has been scarred over, healed but still always there) and not having any issues in my life right now where I am desperate for help, but I have been there. And I wish Sheila had been there with me at that time. But it's okay. This book was one I loved even during this relatively peaceful time in my life, and there were many lines that I highlighted - many for future reference, whether it be tomorrow or five years from now.

Grace is the opposite of karma. We get what we don't deserve: the love, mercy, forgiveness of God. Grace is unmerited favor. Grace is here for you right now, in the middle of what is hard or not working.

Do it afraid. The what-ifs that so often hold us back usually have their roots in a flawed belief system. We believe that if we're going to take a step out, we have to be sure that whatever we're attempting will be successful. I don't think that's what we're asked to do. I believe we're asked to step out in faith and leave the results to God.

I never thought I'd say this about this type of book, but...
5 Stars

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our annual women’s conference this year featured Christian TV host, singer, author, and speaker Sheila Walsh. Throughout each session she sprinkled excerpts from her newest book It’s Okay Not To Be Okay. I was sold! I checked out a copy ASAP, only to discover that this is a book meant to be purchased along with a highlighter:

The greatest, most profoundly personal love story ever is the one between God…
and any man or woman who will come with nothing and accept His everything.
We love with our heart, even when it’s broken.
We love with our soul, even when our humanity wrestles against [it].
We love with our strength, even when it’s almost gone.
We love with our minds, even when we don’t understand.
I’m not the good news. Jesus is.
The breathtaking truth of the gospel…
is that we are not judged on our failures but on the finished work of Christ.
I believed I had value because God was using me, so therefore He must be pleased with me.
But you are a work in progress; invest in the Master’s piece you are becoming!
Every breath is a brushstroke on the canvas of your legacy.
Make your internal problems a matter of intentional prayer.
Fear serves two purposes: to protect and to paralyze.
Just be present. You don’t have to be perfect.
We spend so much time concentrating on the difficulty of moving the mountain that
we forget all about the size of the seed.
When we offer Him the smallest whisp of faith, He moves on our behalf.
Change is not an issue of judgment, it’s a matter of freedom.
The rock took the blast just as Christ, the Rock, took the full force of the wrath of God
on Himself on the cross so that you and I can lean into the gentle whisper of God
when we don’t understand what’s going on around and inside us.
When we are crushed, Christ is close.
Scars are proof that God’s love overcomes whatever tried to destroy you.
When you allow label to become the greatest truth about yourself, you’ve missed out on the glorious redemption Christ bought for you on the cross.
Unless we have a deep sense of what the identity we are offered in our scar-marked Savior, we find our identity in our wounds.
Every failure takes us one step closer to where we’ll shine.
Understanding that Christ is the hero of our stories allows us to be human.

It’s Okay...is an invitation: “I am a bit of an odd duck; come waddle beside me! Let’s pray together to see our dreams grow wings!”

[Susan Upton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read other books by Sheila Walsh, and I’m always taken in by the honesty in Shelia Walsh’s writing. This book is no exception. She has openly shared her story many times. Now, in this book, she goes farther in sharing with readers specific ways to move forward in life and faith when both are hard. She knows how the hurt in life can make many struggle with living the day to day. “The circumstances are different for each person, but the feelings of being rejected, isolated, or heartbroken are crushing. What makes many of the situations much harder to bear is that you had no choice, no say in the matter.” (39) She also knows that Christians can struggle with the pain in life versus how they believe they should react or portray themselves, and the goodness of God. She takes all of that head on in this book. “Measuring our live and our service to Christ by whether we’re okay or not is a soul-destroying way to live.” (192)

She walks the reader through real-life stories and practical examples to lead the reader to freedom in Christ. Individual chapters deal with topics such as fear, disappointment, loss of control. Throughout each chapter, Shelia pulls in Biblical scripture and examples throughout the book. The end of each chapter provides practical, hands-on ways to move forward. “When you realize that you don’t have it all together you can give others the freedom too. Understanding that Christ is the hero of our stories allows us to be human.” (175)

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with something hard or trying to help anyone struggling with something hard (and that’s got to be all of us at one time or another).

[Carrie Daws · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! In my first read-through, I highlighted dozens of passages. She challenged my thinking and spoke healing words to my heart. When she told me I wasn't enough, my heart looked at the words hopefully, like maybe I wasn't failing as badly as I feared. When she lovingly told me I was never supposed to be enough, my mind came to a screeching halt, desperate to know where she was going with this. And then, with words that felt as gentle as a loving momma putting her arms around my shoulders to draw me close, Mrs. Walsh reminded me that if I were enough, I would have no place for, no need of God. 

And deep in my soul, I felt a sigh of relief.

Step by precious step, Sheila draws the reader into dumping the shackles of high expectations and perfect lives, She challenges us to look at the maxims and behaviors we hold dear to see if they line up with what God communicates to us within the pages of Scripture. And she lovingly reminds us "that although life can be very painful, pain and loss have a shelf life, suffering and struggle have an expiration date. They will not last forever."

While we put forth stories from the Bible like the boy with his loaves and fish as examples of what Jesus can do when we offer what we have, we also tend to behave like Jesus won't do the same for us. We act as if we must first go buy, barter, or borrow more loaves and fish before we allow Him to see what little we have.

In this book, Sheila Walsh fights back with the truth that the children of God need only present to Him what we actually have in this very moment. Because when God's children depend on God's provision, our lack is never a hindrance. It is a showcase for His glory.

[Megan Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a breath of fresh air! Sheila reminds us that we don't have to be perfect because Christ was perfect on our behalf. Our job is to take our whole selves to Jesus and offer everything to him whose power is made perfect in our weakness. She addresses the topics of admitting when we're stuck and struggling, changing the way we think, moving forward even when we're afraid, letting go of the need to feel in control (and acknowledging that God is always in control), rising above disappointment, celebrating our scars, and choosing to not let failure keep us from trying again. At the end of each chapter there are action steps to help move forward in each area.

This book was full of encouraging truth. I highlighted a lot of parts and will be returning to this book again. It's a great read for people who struggle with feeling like they have to work for God's approval or for those who feel like their pasts and flaws disqualify them from an abundant, purpose-filled life. It's also great for anyone who wants reminders of the truth found in God's word about who he is and who we are. I highly recommend it!

[Linda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is perfect for all of us who long to be the 'perfect' wife, mother, friend, woman, etc. but knows that they fall far from the ideal. Bless you, Sheila Walsh, for reminding us that it's okay to not be okay!
The author writes in such a relatable manner that you find yourself almost feeling hugged by her words. Walsh uses Scripture to back her writing and expresses personal aspects of her life to stress that she, too, feels doubts and insecurity like we do.
A fairly short book, this one is the ideal gift for any person who fails to see that they're fine and loved even if they feel less than perfect.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, quick read of encouraging words. Life is not what we expect. We expect perfection and a walk in the park, but when things don’t go as planned (because we are not in control) then we tend to prison ourselves with failure and condemning thoughts. Sheila Walsh will help you think differently and when you think differently, inner thoughts contribute to outward behavior. Great read!

[T.E. Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this for it's relatability, encouragement, and spot-on-ed-ness...yes, I'm sure there's a word for that, but I'm tired and can't think of it. This flowed from cover to cover very well. Whereas many self-help type books kind of get a bit choppy with different topics, this just all made sense, and each thought flowed with the next, making it easy to read.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Run, don't walk and get this book! Do not pass go, do not even bother to get your $200 monopoly bucks.

This book is beautifully written and full of hard-fought truths and biblical insight! This is a must read for anyone struggling to sense out of life!!!

[Shanda Frana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing

Shelia has a gentle approach towards healing through faith. This one book has made me feel better about myself and the struggles life has thrown at me.

[Davina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Muy de autoayuda for me.

[Sarafina]

Soft DNF

[Dallas Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great quick read. If you need an introduction to following Jesus or a reminder of how greatly you are loved, this book would be a great one for you.

[Shanna]

Someone gave me this book, so I opened it knowing absolutely nothing about the author or her message here. The core message is that you don't have to be perfect or get everything right to know the love of Jesus. You can embrace the fact that you don't measure up, realizing that only One does. Sheila Walsh pulls from a variety of different passages and stories in the Bible to talk about this, as well as a lot of personal humorous anecdotes, and it never gets terribly in-depth or difficult, so it's very approachable and could be a good intro to some comforting Biblical concepts.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK GREAT MESSAGE I will read this again and again

[marlyn payero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

I love everything about this book, Sheila explains how we are not in control, Jesus is in control! It took many blocks from my shoulders, after reading this book I feel and see God from a new perspective, more personal.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Packed with great insights and applications!
Chapter 1. Take the First Step
Chapter 2. Admit that you are stuck and struggling
Chapter 3. Change the Way you Think
Chapter 4. Face the What-Ifs even if you are Afraid
Chapter 5. Let Go of What You can’t Control
Chapter 6. Raise above Disappointment
Chapter 7. Celebrate Your scars as tattoos of Triumph
Chapter 8. Decide to Start Again…and again
Conclusion: You were made for more

p. 28 “thorn in the flesh” 2 Cor. 12 “The word skolops used in this passage can be translated as “thorn” but just as likely as “stake.” The image of a stake is one of somethi8ng driven straight into the heart. ….
p. 29 John Stott: “Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.” Grace is the opposite of karma. We get what we don’t deserve; the love, mercy, forgiveness of God. Grace is unmerited favor. Grace is here for you right now, in the middle of what is hard or not working. Heb. 4:16
p.42 Basic Fundamental Beliefs: 1. God is love. 2. God is powerful.
p. 43 “I saw how I had defined the quality of my life by what I was able to accomplish. I’d placed so much value on WHAT I do rather than on WHO I am. God’s love for me had nothing to do with whether I ever stood on another stage or wrote another book….I saw also how at times my understanding of God’s love for me was based on HOW things were unfolding in my life. When things were going well, I felt that God loved me. When things were hard, I felt alone. The unfolding showed me He is always near. …..it shook my faith to the core, but it was a good shaking.
p. 49 He reminds us that although life can be very painful, pain and loss have a shelf life, suffering and struggle have an expiration date. …More than that, Christ is with you in the hallway. He is with you in the operating room. He is with you wherever you are. ….Let Him sit with you in the hallway and hear Him say. “I’m here. I’m here. I’m here.”
p.61 (sappy Hallmark movies) don’t depict the seasons when the only thing that holds you together is the commitment you made to God and to each other, not how you feel when you look across the dinner table. Changing the wa6y you think can impact the most important relationships in life…… I had to choose carefully who I listened to. …The breathtaking truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we are not judged on our failures but on the finished work of Christ. Clearly that doesn’t mean we get to live any way we like, it simply means that there is always an open door back to the Father when we fall down. That is the heart and passion of this book. It’s okay not to be okay, because Jesus has made us right with God.
p. 63 He doesn’t love the one who fought for her marriage one bit more than the one who gave up. You’re not an outsider, not second best. If you have placed your trust in Christ, you are a child of God. 1 John 3:1
p. 65 Romans 12:2 Do not be transform…..= Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world. …. Some of us simply replace the world’s list with a more acceptable one. … The word “transformed” only occurs one time in all four Gospels. Matt. 17:1-2 Jesus’ appearance was transformed….TOTAL CHANGE
p. 66 A day is coming when our transformation will be complete. We will be changed externally and internally. But now, as followers of Christ on this earth, we are called to be transformed internally, which will impact our external behavior. Only an internal transformation will truly change external behavior. Every battle begins in our minds, not with our behavior. We can behave a certain way and remain unchanged. If we want to change how we act, we have to change how we think.
p. 69 When I began to realize how much of my life was still being influence by destructive thought patterns, I made some changes. I made my internal (my thoughts) and external (the things I allow to impact me) problems a matter of intentional prayer…..1. I began daily to ask the HS to change my heart. Soften my heart and teach me true humility. 2. I began to work with Him by eliminating….TV programs, magazines, wrong friends. I prayed, prayed, prayed. Read books by godly men and women and made the Bible my best friend.
p. 79 God takes us where we are, and when we step out and offer Him the smallest wisp of faith, He moves on our behalf. But if we sit around waiting for the fear to disappear, we’ll probably be sitting for a while.
p. 81 Elisabeth Elliot…Every time she wanted to step out in faith, fear stopped her. The what ifs were overwhelming. Then a friend told her something that changed her life. Her friend said, “Why don’t you do it afraid?” And she went on to finish the job her husband died for – reaching the Indian tribes of Ecuador.
p. 87 Elijah, 1 Kings 19:9 “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (E was in a cave.) God knew exactly why Elijah was there, just as He knew where Adan and Eve were when He asked them, “Where are you?” Gen 3. God’s questions are never to inform Himself; He knows everything. The questions are to reveal to US what’s going on inside of US.
p. 107 Until we embrace the understanding that God, and no one else, is in control, our faith remains shaky. When we begin, by faith, to grasp hold of this truth as deep as the marrow in our bones, it changes Us. We don’t have to be afraid any more. ….Joseph had no control over his new situation, yet he brought everything he had to serve his owner. I’m challenged by that. There are times in life when we’re expected to do things that are “not our job.” How we respond in those moments tells us a lot about ourselves. Our position in life should never determine our posture in service.
p. 1-0 Joseph in prison…”He let go of what he couldn’t control and once more threw himself into service……One of the greatest lessons of Joseph’s life is that God is far more interested in who we are becoming than WHAT we are doing. When things went wrong, it didn’t turn him away from God. He stayed faithful.
p. 119 Feeding of the 5,000. The principle applies to us as well. We’ll never have enough to fulfill all the demands made on us, but that’s okay. We’re not supposed to have enough. We’re supposed to bring what we have, our clearly not enough, to Jesus and ask Him to meet us where we are.
p. 140 If Christ had chosen to live eternally with His scars, why would I be ashamed to show mine? (Christ appeared to Thomas and the others and showed him the marks in his hands and side so that they would know it was Him…..they were still there!)
p. 152 Miracles will never change us; obedience to Christ does that. Jesus made the lame man at the pool of Bethseda walk but that didn’t seem to bring the man to a saving knowledge of Christ.
p. 155 I titled this book It’s okay not to be Okay. I believe that. Christ meets us where we are. He doesn’t leave us there, but that’s where the journey begins. What’s not okay is to pretend that you are okay when you know that you’re not. Moving forward takes courage, but you will never walk one step of that journey by yourself. Christ is always with us.
p. 162 words about true freedom that starts when we are a child but changes as we age….
p. 163 The message is that not everything will work, but never be afraid to try and never be afraid to fail. Every failure takes us one step closer to where we’ll shine.
p. 165 Redeemed pain. That’s a powerful truth. We all experience pain, but when we bring it to Jesus, He redeems it. The enemy of our soul would love to keep us quiet and shame-filled, but Jesus uses pain given to Him to free us and t see others set free. You are not what happened to you. You are a child of God. `
p. 168 When you allow a label to become the greatest truth about yourself, you’ve missed out on the glorious redemption Christ bought for you on the cross. Verses Zeph 3:17, Isa. 49:15 how God loves and remembers us
p. 178 “the god-ness of God”: Phil. 1:6 Paul’s confidence is not in the Christianity of the Christians but in the God-ness of God, who is supremely trustworthy, able and committed to finish the work He has begun. Meaning: our confidence is not based on whether you or I are doing a good job but rather in God who is faithful to finish what He began. You can rest in that and take it to the bank.
- When you are fed up with yourself and feel as if you’ll never make real progress, remind yourself, it’s not up to me, it’s up to my Father – and he never fails.”
p. 192 Our behavior too often holds us back bec we get discouraged by our own failures. That’s not how Christ sees or values you. He simply asks if we love Him. Rules attempt to modify our behavior, but the love of God changes our hearts. When our hearts are free to love with abandon, knowing that we’re not being judged for every failure, our behavior changes. It changes bec we love Him so much that we want to. The love of Christ propels us to take the next step, and the next. It’s not about being better behaved; it’s about us being more in love and nothing ever separates us from that love. Rom. 8:39-30