Book Review: In the Middle of the Mess

Christian singer Sheila Walsh has openly and honestly shared about her battle with depression before. In this book, In the Middle of the Mess: Strength for This Beautiful, Broken Life, she offers hope and healing to readers who struggle with suicidal thoughts. She begins by sharing a letter addressed to her father, a man who took his life when Sheila was only five years old. In her innocence, she carried the weight of guilt for far too long, believing she was responsible for her father's death, and she eventually had a nervous breakdown. Over time, she has learned the power of confession and intense authenticity before God and encourages readers to spend time in confessional prayer on a daily basis.

At one point, in a discussion about confession and salvation, she quotes Nicky Gumbel:

"'Salvation' ... is a huge and comprehensive word. It means 'freedom' ... There are three tenses of salvation: we have been set free from the penalty of sin, we are being set free from the power of sin, and we will be set free from the presence of sin."

I think that was my favorite quote in the book. I love the alliteration and parallel structure of the quote almost as much as I love the depth of meaning. While the book didn't offer up any earth-shattering new insights into God's power to defeat the pull of depression, it was an easy, helpful read. I admire her quest for authentic Christianity. Too often people assume that believers have some magic ticket that takes them out of their brokenness. Walsh urges readers to bring their brokenness to God and share honestly with God and others in the midst of the pain and difficulties of life. I ended the book feeling an overwhelming sense of "Me, too!"