Sheila Walsh (2) (1956–)

I have struggled with clinical depression for the majority of my life. It is something I do not like to talk about. It's a scarlet letter that I try to hide from the world and I have built up a wall to keep many people from penetrating it. Some can empathize but unless you suffer from the same disease it's hard to really understand the thoughts, emotions, and fight that go along with depression. Depression is hard and it hurts.

Sheila Walsh understands this plight. Suffering from clinical show more depression herself, I immediately felt a kindred spirit when I began to read In the Middle of the Mess. Sheila is raw, and real, pouring her heart onto every page. She does not sugarcoat her journey through depression and dealing with the loss of her mother, but instead embraces it and focuses on the blessings that can be gleaned from the messy times in our lives.

The truths within this book will pierce your heart as you read the various stories from Sheila's personal life and even though I hate that Sheila has been through everything that she has been through, there is a solace in knowing that I am not alone in my daily struggle with depression. I put down In the Middle of the Mess feeling more empowered than I have in a long time. I am not alone in this fight and neither are you. show less

I was so excited to read this book and I certainly wasn't disappointed. I long to be known as a Prayer Warrior but I often doubt my ability to pray as I should. This book is just what I needed and Sheila Walsh seemed to be speaking just to me! Praying Women is filled with "golden nuggets"---nuggets of inspiration, motivation, encouragement, and God's Word. Walsh understands that Christian women aren't immune to pain and disappointments and her words offer the comfort that we often need. show more There are ten chapters that focus on different situations and I love that each chapter has Bible scripture, 'Prayer Reminders' and 'A Prayer When You Don't Know What to Say'. So helpful because I often find myself in this very situation!

"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me." C.S. Lewis

Walsh shares these words in her introduction and they set the tone for the whole book. Praying Women is a must-read for anyone wanting to develop a stronger prayer life and a deeper relationship with God. This is a book to keep and I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy from Baker Books but there was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts. show less

This was a very difficult book to rate. The illustrations are reminiscent of Dr. Seuss books. They are bright, colourful and quirky. The story is also cute to a point. Twins in Scotland, Liam and Emma are bored. Their mother suggests they go and meet their new neighbour who has moved from America. Abby is a girl the same age and is sad about leaving her best friend behind. The twins ask her if she wants to meet their best friend. After searching all over the house and yard, the twins pull show more out their bible and tell Abby it is their best friend. This is where I have the problem. As a Christian, the love of God and his son Jesus Christ is the important thing, not the book it is written down in. Their best friend should have been either Jesus or God, not the book their message is written in. Not sure if I would use this book or not due in my opinion, to that glaring mistake.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

The title says it all! We go through life fretting because we are not okay in so many areas; like something is badly wrong with us. Instead of turning to the Lord, we try to stuff our perceived failures and limitations under the rug, which only stresses us more. Media, magazines, books everything around us shouts that we can and should reach some sort of perfection. This lie has become so ingrained in us we are blinded and view it as “truth”. Ms. Walsh’s book blasts fib to pieces with show more the real truth.
I found the book to be comforting, inspirational, and helpful. The author’s openness and honesty were a blessing. I could relate to her frustrations, depression and struggles. I wasn’t happy she had them but it was nice to know I wasn’t the only one. Someone else was facing the same thing plus sharing their insights to overcome. Also it was a reality check that even the most successful and spiritual people face the same conflicts.
We can’t be perfect in any area because we aren’t; only Christ is, and we live in an imperfect world. No wonder it all seems so impossible! God is always there to help, heal, love, pick us up…everything. Trying to fix ourselves is doing it in our own strength and we don’t have that kind of power, only God does. She reminded my past doesn’t irreparably break me nor does my present defeat me! The 8 steps she shares to move forward so simple and clear! We have to get our focus off of circumstances and self, plus trying to make our world “just” right and focus on the One that can! An outstanding book!
I received this book from Baker Books in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own. show less