Learning to Be
Finding Your Center After the Bottom Falls Out
by Juanita Campbell Rasmus
InterVarsity Press
IVP
Christian | Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 15 Sep 2020

I am reviewing a copy of Learning to Be: Finding Your Center After the Bottom Falls Out through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:


It felt as if every nerve in her body was popping. It felt like large strong hands were slowly applying pressure while breaking a family-size package of uncooked, dry spaghetti. Only Pastor Juanita was the spaghetti, breaking down one piece at a time. This is how Juanita Rasmus begins the wise, frank, and witty account of what she later called "The Crash" and what her counselor labeled "a major depressive episode


In this book the author reminds us that depression is more than just a diagnosis; depression becomes the mind’s default program. It becomes the way that the body and mind seek to cope in crisis. Depression is the result of a complex set of byproducts affecting the brain, including chemical imbalances, faulty mood regulation by the brain, or genetic vulnerability.


In addition to exhaustion and depression, on the spiritual front she experienced a dark night of the soul. When everything in her life finally came to a stop, she found that she had to learn to be—with herself and with God—all over again.


I give Learning to Be five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

RATING 2.5 STARS

In that position, weighed down by the burden of doing until I had been undone.

Juanita Rasmus is writing her account of her fall. A great depression that fell on her and how she overcame. To be honest, I thought this book would be more bible based it is however, more experienced base. I appreciate the author's experience however, it is not my experience. Did I get encouragement from it? Yes and no. Did I learn anything about God? Nothing new. The trouble about each of our experiences is the outcome. Then the outcome can determine our faith. Is our faith determined by circumstances or on who God is? Rasmus has been blessed by the Lord no doubt. So depending on what you are looking for, will determine if this is a good fit for you.

This should be labeled more of a memoir instead of a Christian book.

A special thank you to Intervarsity Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

A well written and considered account of mental health, but I personally found the frequent references to the enneagram off putting and would have liked deeper theological reflection.

The title and beautiful cover drew me to read this book. It is a reflection of struggles and continuing recovery from serious depression by a Christian woman. I appreciate the author's openness and honesty in sharing what she went through and what she learned. The advance digital copy I read had formatting issues, which may be why the writing sometimes felt redundant and scattered. I liked the reflections at the end of each chapter.

Wow. I was blown away by the openness and vulnerability of the author and simultaneously challenged by the pace and driven was of my own life. This is an incredible book that I know will save the lives of many women in ministry and I can’t wait to share it. It’s open story, and spaces and tools for reflection were incredibly helpful to me and I will cherish this book because I believe it prevent me from another foray into burnout. Thank you so much for your honesty and willingness to share your story so that the body of Christ might be built up!