Becoming Spiritually Beautiful caught my eye because it it by author Sharon Jaynes, who wrote The Power of a Woman’s Words which I read last year (click on the title to see my review). I had to know what Jaynes had to say in her latest (at the time of this post) work.
Becoming Spiritually Beautiful is an encouragement for you to ‘put aside the things which are behind you’ (i.e., the things that happened in your past) and to look forward. It is a pat on the back to Christian women to point out the fact that the things that they personally believe about themselves aren’t necessarily really true – rather it is what God thinks of us that really matters and should shape our own thoughts. But let’s make this a bit more personal, shall we?
What Jaynes was saying in this book was, “Hey, Carrie, you know _______ that you believe about yourself? Well, my friend, God doesn’t see you that way. Not at all. He sees His daughter, redeemed and restored.” She said to me, “I know you haven’t forgiven yourself for _____ but you’re the last one holding out!” Now, I don’t have it all together and I also don’t think I look like I do. But it’s easy for us to look around and think that we know who people are and we think that we know all of their capabilities and how successful they have the potential to be (or already are!). What is a little harder for us to see is how insecure most women are. Jaynes wants to address the insecurities with this book.
I have to say I don’t really think of myself as an insecure person because I have a tremendous (and somewhat obnoxious) ability to block out a variety of negative thoughts that other people think of me. However, I find it dreadfully hard to let go of my own opinions of myself and that can cause problems. I am harsher with myself than with other people and we can all thank the Lord that that’s the case but it’s hard for me. Because I make it so. Therefore I appreciated Jaynes’ talk about how we all have a veil up by which we see ourselves. When we look in the mirror are we more apt to think positively or negatively? If your answer is ‘negatively’ then this book might very well be for you.
Sharon Jaynes has a heart for women and it shows. At the same time, the cry of her heart was to have a house full of children. Instead, she found herself the mother of one son and this was a struggle for her. She has painfully come to the conclusion that God meant her to mother a great many more people through spiritual mentorship, than He planned for her to mother her own. Read this: She doesn’t exactly have it all together herself. But she knows that she has believed some things that were not true about herself and she deals with those honestly.
Becoming Spiritually Beautiful is as much her personal struggle of acceptance in Christ as it became mine. I like the fact that she shared personal testimony, as well as the testimonies of other women. The book draws you in and hangs on to you for dear life as you read along. Another positive aspect of this book is the conclusion where she realizes that it’s one thing to say that you are going to leave your past where it belongs – and it’s quite another thing to actually allow that to happen. She offers some suggestions as how you might be able to take baby steps forward with your life.
As I was reading along, I couldn’t help but think that a good companion title to this work would be C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. In a lot of ways, these two books walk hand-in-hand and can be better understood and processed in relationship with one another. I’m highly motivated and tempted to pull out my copy of Screwtape and give it a re-read about now!
Whether I do or don’t get to Lewis, I’m glad for the time I spent with Jaynes. She’s personable and approaches the subject matter in a healthy way without a bunch of hoopla thrown in (and without indulging in self pity) and I appreciated her balanced approach to dealing with a topic that I think effects all women in some form or fashion. Or, at least, it effects me!
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know and Reading My Library.
Melissa says
Your review of this book really spoke to my heart. Such a fabulous review. Not like I need another book on my shelf, but I need to get this one. Thank you!