Escape From the Land of If Only: Biblical Hope for Hurting Hearts

by Martha E Menne

Escape from the Land of If Only is a beautifully written book that highlights the redemptive work of the Gospel of Jesus in the lives of broken and wounded women. Martha addresses the various topics of abuse, neglect, abandonment, unforgiveness, shame, fear, anxiety and addiction and offers great hope to these women through the depth and richness of scripture. ~Jane Scott, certified biblical counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation.

The traumatic experiences of our past, and our own sinful actions, can put us in bondage to shame, guilt, and depression. When that happens, we may wonder how our lives would be better if only something or someone had been different. However, we don’t have to become permanent residents in the Land of If Only.

Escape from the Land of if Only, outlines a biblical path to freedom from the effects of past traumas. It explains how a child of God can recover from abuse, abandonment, addiction, and poverty. The reader will learn how to apply biblical truth and the promises of God to become a victor instead of a victim. The before and after stories of deeply wounded and depressed residents of a Christian homeless shelter display the bondage breaking power and love of God. Those women experienced deep and lasting healing as they broke free from depression, fear, and shame. Learning how they escaped from the Land of If Only will show others how they can also walk out of captivity into emotional and spiritual freedom.

No one walks through life without tragedies, trials, and traumas. But, if we know and obey God and believe his promises, he will bind up our emotional and spiritual wounds. It doesn’t matter whether they are mere scratches or hemorrhaging gashes. God can and will heal us because he has promised to give his children “everything they need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3-4). That includes healing the wounds of the past and giving grace to face the future unafraid. This book provides timeless, biblical truths that can enable any child of God to Escape from the Land of If Only.

246 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2021

Reviews

[Kathyrn Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is worth your time.

So much truth in this book. Martha’s biggest strength is her handling of Scripture - her references/interpretations are accurate and thoughtful, and she’s able to break down Scripture in a simple and understandable way. You don’t have to be a Christian scholar to read this, and I love that it’s accessible to both new and mature believers. Her Scripture applications are also spot on and well explained.

This would be a great book for Bible studies and discipling groups, especially for new/young believers. It would lend itself well to group discussions, where people could get even more out of the book and dive deeper into personal applications of the material.

As I read this book, I felt repeatedly convicted that I needed to be in the Word. While reading your Bible isn’t going to quickly “fix” your problems or make the pain of trials go away, it is the source of life. It gives life. The Word is how we get to know God and learn to trust Him, as we read His truths and promises. Whatever you’re dealing with - depression, effects of trauma/abuse, shame, addictions, etc - you need to be in the Word. It’s how the Lord speaks to us, and it is life-giving. I feel so grateful to have read this book and to be convicted of my need for Yahweh and His Word.

Thank you, Martha, for this needed exhortation and your beautiful book.

[Boone Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I began reading Menne’s Escape From the Land of If Only, I was a little skeptical that there was anything new for me to learn. Certainly, it seemed theologically accurate and her handling of scripture was good, but were there any nuggets that I could take away that I hadn’t gotten from another book or the Bible itself? Then I made it to chapter 4, about forgiving myself and my highlighter went nuts. There were aspects of this topic that I’d never thought about quite the same way before. Things in my life that were hindrances that I just hadn’t even seen. At this point, I admitted that this wasn’t just another self help book with a bazillion redundancies that reminded me of other books I’d already read.

As mentioned before Menne’s handling of scripture is careful and her real life examples are compelling. She draws from women she’s discipled, friends, family, herself and individuals from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Topics range from abuse, addiction, forgiveness, shame, insecurity to legalism, suffering and more.

If you’re perfect already you won’t need to read this book, but you could pass it along to others you know. I know I needed to read it and plan to pick up some copies to share with several sisters who may find that one or more chapters really strikes a chord with them as it did me.
For me a 5 star rating means I think everyone should read a book. Few books have earned that opinion from me, but this one has!

[SharonRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with treasures from God’s Word that Martha has mined from her many years of walking with the Lord. The good news for us is that she has written them down, with references, so we can benefit from those treasures. She shares real-life stories to illustrate the various areas we can get stuck in The Land of If Only. They help illuminate the truths that are of enormous benefit in moving out of our cycles of brokenness that work to keep us trapped in our “old selves.” Like Paul, we can lament our tendency to not do what we want to do and to do what we don’t want to do, but in the end exclaim that “Jesus is the One who can rescue us from the broken cycles of sin and death, into our new cycle of life and truth!” Thank you, Martha! May God use this book mightily in setting many captives free.