Love the writing/the realness/the inspiration/and the honestly of Sheila Walsh. I have shared this story w/ all of my reading friends. Five Stars.

Sheila Walsh is someone who has been in the trenches of life. She openly shares how she has battled depression and is open, honest, and real. Readers will find hope and encouragement as well as guidance.

Rating 3.5 stars

Your reaction has little to do with what's in front of you and everything to do with what's inside you.

We are messy people. Behind all that glitters and all that is gold is usually heart that is a mess. Staying in our mess only brings isolation, depression, fear, shame, and loneliness. These feelings can lead a heart without any hope.

Sheila Walsh shares her experience of the mess she found herself in that goes back to her childhood when her father committed suicide. She lived with the blame and usually sin does that. There is blame and shame that can be paralyzing. I am not familiar with Sheila Walsh or her story but the title can be my story and it could be yours. There are lies that we believe and truths that we must place deep in our hearts to begin to live in the light instead of being in the darkness. Walsh is transparent in her story and her cry for help. The walls she built and the walls that fell down.

She also discusses the death of her mother that brought back the pain of her childhood and how facing and dealing with the pain and shame, she was able to cling to the promises of Jesus. These promises are not just for Sheila but for all of us that cry out. Lord Save me a sinful man/woman. I was encouraged by her meaning of salvation that is freedom. Freedom from the past. "There are three tenses of salvation: we have been set free from the penalty of sin, we are being set free from the power of sin and we will be set free from the presence of sin."

One of the key confessions she made was her struggle of self-protection. How I struggle with that and in doing so keeps me from being all that God created me to be and it keeps me from living in freedom. How that self-protection keeps you from relationships and loving others well.

There is beauty in the pain and there is hope in the mess. It is good to know that we are not alone in this struggle.

A Special Thank You to Thomas Nelson Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Not what I was expecting, but well written and no doubt relevant to many in today's society. Walsh writes with strong faith and conviction about many hard times she herself experienced, and how turning to God got her through. While I appreciate the message, I've never much enjoyed reading books based so heavily on very specific and personal experiences. I feel that such extenuating circumstances, while worth appreciating , can alienate an audience who may not be in that place yet but still need the overarching message. I love what Walsh is getting at, I just wish it had been a bit more generalized.

As a Christian, I find myself drawn often to books by other Christian. Shelia has a beautiful way to capture her audience. She is raw, yet gentle in her approach. This book discusses the mess that life will bring but also shown examples of hope to push through.

Was very delighted to read this book. Well written and loved the character development.

This book is a call to be honest about our brokenness and to find strength in Jesus, and in one another, in the middle of the mess.
Often we can try to keep up the appearance of having it all together and feel that our brokenness is something to hide, but this book encourages us to be real with God and with each other. In it Sheila Walsh shares stories from throughout her life- her father's brain aneurysm when she was very young, which led to a dramatic change in his personality, admittance to a psychiatric hospital, and ultimately suicide, her own struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, and the impact, more recently, of the death of her mother.
She shares her own journey of learning to open up to God and others and provides helpful advice on how spiritual disciplines such as meditation and confession can help in that, as well as emphasising the importance of community and our need for one another. Well worth a read!

I gotta love Sheila Walsh! She is so real and transparent about her struggles and this book is no exception. In this book, she shared about her mother’s death and much about depression. There is so much that I could relate to and I know that many women out there would get a lot out of this book. She talks about the lies we believe, comparing ourselves to one another, not giving up, and some of the lies that are out there about depression. I loved the prayer at the end of the book for anyone tempted to give up. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

Rating: 5 out of 5

This book was giving to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers and Netgalley in exchange for a review.

In the middle of the mess is mostly about Sheila Walsh's personal story and struggles, with the occasional scripture to back up her agenda. I can see this book being comforting for someone in a similar situation to the author(close family member committed suicide, struggling with guilt and acceptance of others actions), but I feel like it isn't very encouraging or applicable if you don't fall into her very specific category.

I had a plan for my life. I knew which university I was going to attend. Who I was going to marry. (In theory, at least.) When we would have kids. When we would buy a house. What careers we would have. How many dogs we would own. I had it all planned out. It was perfect. It was easy. And it was tidy.

Not one bit of it happened.

The university never happened, the marriage is not story-book, we have way too many animals and I still do not own my own home. Life is messy. And hard. And embarrassing. And this book is an incredible balm to a hurting heart. I cannot recommend it enough. Sheila Walsh is so encouraging, reassuring, inspirational and authentic. A wonderfully healing book with every page.

Great story of a woman who turned to God with her. pain and let Him heal her

The raw honesty is what draws you in. We need permission to not be okay sometimes without people thinking it means we have a problem with our relationship with Jesus.

What an amazing testimony of faith. We all have a story and with that story, we all are in the middle of a mess in different stages of that story. Sheila’s honest and heartfelt story will resonate with everyone whether they are in the midst of a mess or have come out on the other side. Raw with emotion, this book will touch each of us in different ways. Her words teach us to look at things differently...”Something happens in us when we take our eyes off what’s not working and give thanks for what is.” Being thankful and trusting in God’s unfailing love in all circumstances ... “Raw honest pain offered to God brings us closer to His heart. There is beauty in brokenness when it is placed in God’s hands.” This book touched me deeply chapter by chapter, word by word and I’m extremely thankful “for the scars that have brought me closer to Him.” Thank you, Sheila for sharing your journey with us. I pray that many lives will be impacted by your story and that your beautiful words will bring about hope in many more lives changing their journey so that they, too, will share their stories letting others know that they are not alone in their journey. Life is messy, but by putting our faith, hope and trust in Jesus in the middle of that mess we will see that mess with new eyes and our hearts will forever be changed.

How can i review such an amazing work it is one of those book that is needed by so many whether they know it or not, please that is not a arrogant boast I just have been blown away by this book. When I first heard of this book before it was published I was longing to read it but then I saw it was for Ladies. Now I have read it I am convinced that it will benefit many many men as well, ( just know your GOD's man as opposed to his special girl) so please please do not let that put you off. Anyone who encourages you to shout out to GOD all that's going on inside of you has stepped into the heart of GOD in my view.
I do want to come clean and say that Sheila has played a large part in my history, we don't know each other personally but in the 80,s I saw her perform many times in England (sorry never Scotland) and still find strength from Triumph in the air plus to every season turn turn. Now those song have a renewed strength knowing some of what went on in her life back then, it's worth utubing if that's the word some of Her songs. But back to the book please don't miss out on this incredible healing and freeing work I believe from God through Sheila, She goes from broken to mending a journey that she isn't on on her own but you may feel you are, trust me your not if not me then trust the bravery of Sheila Walsh. Here is one of her quotes
No matter your circumstances, here’s the truth: You have a story, and that story has its own peculiar mess. You can confess that story to Christ and let go. You can let Him start a work of healing, even now, right in the middle of your mess.
I have been given a free copy from NetGalley in return for a honest review, but I now intend to buy some copies for some of my hurting friends.

When aren't we in the midst of some sort of mess? Life by it's very nature is messy, but there is a source of comfort and peace in the storm.