Grattitude

A Book Review

In The Middle of the Mess

Strength For This Beautiful, Broken Life

By

Sheila Walsh

This book is the account of the author’s broken life that depicts a very vivid and confusing account of her life dealing with clinical depression untreated to treated, secrets from childhood, false beliefs of one’s self and doubts, fear, suicidal thoughts and more.  The book also shows the uncertainty of whether or not God is present when you’re in the darkest place of depression and not knowing how to be freed from the cellar deep in your soul.

From childhood she blamed herself for her father’s death.  Suffering with panic attacks of which she never shared with anyone; even to the point of being an adult before she finally spoke of it. She was performing as a world renowned gospel recording artist, an Evangelist teaching others the good news and to trust the risen Savior all the while she did not trust Him.  She did not trust Him with her darkest secrets that tormented her; with the fact that He knows all about her eluded her.  She was national television host who was overcome with darkness to the point that her world came crashing down on the show.  At this point she checked herself into the psychiatric unit of a local hospital feeling so ashamed.  She suffered with clinical depression of which was something one did not talk about in those days.

Through time Sheila found that “Raw, honest pain offered to God brings us closer to His heart.”  She began to confess her feelings, sins, and thoughts to God, to meditate, to be in silence before God and the use of scripture.  She created a community of secret sisters of which she trusted and is able to call upon in her times of need of encouragement.  At various times they help each other.  She said “The good news is of salvation is that you get to be honest; you don’t have to bury your emotions.”   

She eventually came to the conclusion that she is loved, she is accepted and that God was always present through the ups and the downs of her life; especially “In the Middle of the Mess.  She found strength for her beautiful, broken life and you can too.