Book Review with Personal Reflection: Already Whole: 90 Devotions for Being at Home in the Body God Gave You by Ellen Wildman

Ellen Wildman’s Already Whole offers a refreshingly honest and theologically grounded approach to body acceptance through daily spiritual practice. This devotional stands out in the crowded Christian living genre by addressing body image struggles with compassion and biblical depth.

Key Strengths and Insights:

Practical Spirituality for Real Bodies
The book’s greatest strength lies in its ability to translate profound theological truths into daily, actionable practices. Each devotion follows a thoughtful structure:
-A Scripture passage anchoring the theme
-A reflective meditation connecting faith and embodiment
-Practical designation portions offering concrete ways to embrace wholeness

Countercultural Message of Worth
Wildman boldly challenges prevailing cultural narratives that tie human value to appearance or productivity. Instead, she presents a radical alternative: our bodies are sacred simply because God created and dwells in them. This perspective offers genuine healing for readers burdened by shame or self-rejection.

Accessible Yet Transformative Content
The devotions strike a perfect balance between being approachable for daily reading while still offering substantial spiritual nourishment. Wildman’s writing avoids trite platitudes, instead providing fresh insights into familiar scriptures that speak directly to modern struggles with body image.

Personal Impact:
As someone who has wrestled with body acceptance, I found particular value in how Wildman frames our physical selves as an integral part of our spiritual journey rather than obstacles to it. The discussions prior to the embracing wholeness parts stood out as especially helpful - these practical applications transform abstract concepts into lived reality.

How would I describe this book?

-A devotional that meets you where you are and lovingly guides you toward wholeness
-Finally - a faith-based approach to body image that feels authentic and achievable
-90 days to discover what God already knows: you are wonderfully made

Gratitude:
Thank you to NetGalley and Our Daily Bread Publishing for providing an advance review copy. Already Whole arrives at a critical time when so many need its message of embodied grace.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
This book will benefit anyone seeking to make peace with their body through the lens of faith. It would make an excellent resource for small groups, counseling ministries, or personal spiritual formation. Wildman has created something truly special - a devotional that doesn’t shy away from hard questions while consistently pointing readers toward divine love and acceptance.

I did not realize this was a Christian fiction book when I downloaded it. I’m sure it’s lovely but it’s not my type of reading.