We all have things we regret in life. Most of us, if not all of us, have probably done something that causes us to feel guilty and ashamed. We’ve done things that we try to cover up. We don’t want people to see the ‘real me’ so we run, we hide and we shut ourselves off from the world. Sound familiar? Can Jesus make a difference to that? YES!
In his book A Small Book about Why We Hide: How Jesus Rescues Us from Insecurity, Regret, Failure, and Shame, Ed Welch takes you on a journey of 50 devotionals that dive right into some hard emotions that we don’t often like to talk about. Welch, using his vast experience of counselling and walking alongside Christians who are hurting, speaks specifically about some of the reason we hide. But he doesn’t only focus on the extremes. He outlines it like a spectrum, on the one end you have insecurity and on the other you’ve got sever self-loathing. I genuinely think that everyone will be able to resonate with at least one part of this short book.
The thing that I like about Welch’s writing, and this book is no different, is that he takes you to the Bible and gives you language to use to express your pain, shame and feelings that make you want to hide.
Each devotion is no more than a few pages long. Some of them are like a comforting embrace of a brother in Christ who cares for you and wants to see you flourish in your life with Christ. Some of them are words of encouragement to help you as you feel like you want to go and live in a secluded cave. Some of them are challenging thoughts and questions to make you analyse your emotions and thinking. It really is a mixed back that will point you to Jesus and see the beauty of the gospel and the hope that it brings.
Each devotional also ends with two reflection questions to consider what you’ve thought about that day. It may mean that you’re diving into Scripture, or reflecting on the gospel and Jesus’ sacrifice, or it may be that you’re pondering the reason behind your hiding and challenging yourself on it.
Personally, I found this book helpful. It made me think of my own feelings and I read it a bit slower as a result. This book could be a great help to people who want to hide away, for people who feel guilt and shame, who feel insecure and have a fear of man but it will also help those who see no value in themselves and who maybe even hate themselves.
I highly recommend this book, but I suggest you the it slowly. Don’t rush it, read it slowly and take the time to really wrestle with what Welch is writing and the biblical principles he draws out. Buy your copy here.
*** I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not change the way I rate the book. My views are my own. ***
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