We seek and search, trying to fill a void or many voids. We try different avenues. Guided by the life of David in the Bible and her own story, Sheila teaches how to respond to whatever we’ve been through in her new book, The Longing in Me. She helps us to recognize what we are doing to fill the voids and shows us how to find our longing in Jesus. At no additional cost to you, if you choose to purchase from Amazon through my affiliate link in this post, I may receive a small commission.
A few of the chapter titles are: The Longing to be Chosen, The Longing for Control, The Longing for Your Rights, The Longing for That One Thing You Think You Need to be Happy. All 10 chapters are packed with great insights and wisdom. You will want to read this book slow, digesting those parts that resonate with you. She backs up what she writes with Scripture so it’s not just what Sheila writes, it’s what God says.
Another chapter is called, The Longing for What Used to Be. Maybe this is where you live, in the past. You can learn to trust God for the past. He is for you. New things are on the way.
My eyes were opened in some areas that I thought I had it all together. Areas of rejection, jealousy and judging others. The Holy Spirit reveals the areas where we need to find freedom. I’m so thankful for this freedom.
Another area I had a hard time with was when Sheila says, “I have no rights as a believer. I am a sinner saved by grace, called to live a surrendered life.” I know I’m a sinner saved by His grace and I try daily to surrender. But my rights? None? In a world with so much “I have the right” it’s easy to think I do too.
As a young girl, I thought I needed a husband to make me happy and complete. Then it was a baby. I thought my job should fulfill me and make me happy. Somewhere along the way, I learned that only God can fill my longings and He wants to. I am chosen by the One who will never unchoose me.
My favorite chapter is nine, though I love the entire book. Chapter nine is The Longing to Share the Grace and Mercy We’ve Received from God. His grace is truly amazing. “God is not fair. God is Grace. He graces us with what we don’t deserve: His forgiveness and love.”
I recommend The Longing in Me: How Everything You Crave Leads to the Heart of God to anyone who wants to grow closer to their Heavenly Father. He longs to be close to us. That’s why He created us.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”