Right from the cover, It’s No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen gives you a warm and inviting feel. The perfect atmosphere for our Yahweh sister, Rachel, to share 12 truths she has learned along her journey with the Lord.
In true Titus 2 like form brimming with Southern hospitality, she invites us in to see not just her triumphs but struggles as well. Using her life stories along with Bible scriptures she tackles issues like: competitiveness, conflict resolution, perfectionism, confession, receptiveness to help from others, humility, and busyness. Each chapter closes with study questions, which would be great to use as part of a group study or individually.
Being what I call a “recovering” perfectionist Chapter 7 Adjust Your Scale: Revealing the Secret to Perfection in God’s Eyes really resonated with me. Her statement on page 136 points out how, for the most part, we perfection-seeking types have been trying to measure up based upon performance rather than grace alone.
We’ve been conditioned to earn our way, to perform correctly, to not make mistakes. We seek love and respect from God and others through what we do and how well we do it. In turn, we expect others to earn our love and respect. To a degree, we even expect God to earn it by blessing us with “the good life” so long as we behave well.
For those of us who have a hard time asking others for help, Rachel reminds us in the secret of interdependence that we are not just weighing ourselves down needlessly but also robbing our fellow sisters and brothers.
Refusing to ask them deprives them of their opportunity to serve, of their opportunity to fulfill their purpose.
While the book is light-hearted, it is confrontational as well. Cutting away the excuses we often use for having a deeper and more intimate walk with the Lord.
Thanks to Karen Davis at The B&B Media Group for providing a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes. Views and opinions expressed are my own.
Excellent post Wanda, very interesting to read.
Yvonne.
Excellent post Wanda, very interesting to read.
Yvonne.
Hi Wanda –
Thank you for this piece. Indeed it is encouraging and a reminder that we certainly need. In particular the part about us needing one another. How true!
Our Lord is truly about relationships….
A "recovering" perfectionist? That made me laugh, Wanda. Recovering is not easy. Sigh….
Blessings,
andrea
It is SO true that being self sufficient makes others miss the blessing of giving. It is amazing to watch the joy in people's eyes when they are GIVING. Been there – on both sides. Thanks for this, Wanda.
thanks for sharing a new book. 🙂 I love to read! Esp. good non-fiction where Christ is center.
Peace and love,
tiff
Wanda, thanks for this review. This book sounds like an interesting read. I smiled as I read some of the points you listed because I saw myself in them.
Yes trying to be a perfectionist! We all need to listen to this.
kim
This book by Rachel sounds awesome. Thank you for highlighting some of it. Chapter 7 sounds like something I need. Blessings girl.
Thanks ladies for sharing your thoughts. I really enjoyed the book and she feeds you lots of truth while giving you laughs. You almost don't realize she's given you a punch in the guts..lol.