By Nicole Unice
Published by Tyndale
ISBN#978-1-4143-6510-7
252 Pages
Back Cover:
We've all got our issues! Maybe you
feel like life just isn't going your way, or you’re afraid that you
don’t measure up to other people’s expectations. Perhaps you have a hard time
managing your temper or have someone in your life you just can’t forgive. We
deal with our “issues” every day in one form or another; the problem is, after
a while, they start to feel . . . normal. Unchanging. Just part of who we are.
And we forget that we have access to the power of Christ—a power that can
transform our everyday weaknesses into our greatest strengths and gifts.
In She’s Got Issues, Christian counselor, ministry
leader, and regular mom Nicole Unice explores the ordinary issues that are
keeping you from the full and free life you were meant to have. Applying years
of counseling with practical scriptural teaching and a fresh and authentic
voice, Nicole shows you how to let God freely shape your character—and
transform your life from ordinary to abundant.
Review:
Love the cover, enjoyed and appreciated the
author’s transparency and humor. I’m thankful for the review copy I received of
this book and how Nicole Unice talks about topics that have been rolling around
in my mind for a while now but haven’t expressed. I love when the Lord brings a
book into my life I could really benefit from; She's Got Issues is one of them.
Under the heading, “Do You Have Issues?” the author
discusses how people assume when we accept Jesus into our heart we live happily
ever after. How can that be when we live in a fallen world and further more
we’re human and all have issues. Some of us are willing to admit them and
others are clueless. Nicole Unice goes on to say, “The ability to see yourself
clearly is crucial in your relationship with Christ and in your subsequent
ability to serve well. You can not live more abundantly and love better without
addressing the underlying issues. You are not after perfection in the way you
love but you do need to cultivate a growing dependency on a relationship with
Christ that gives you the ability to love.”
The author then asks, “Am I changed because of Jesus?”
This glimpse into the book shows you her sense of humor and
transparency. (It was refreshing to read). She says, “First I told myself I was
qualified to decide if I was changed: I’m a counselor, for heaven’s sake. I’m a
supposed expert on how to be a healthy person.
Then I told myself why I was qualified to be a Christian: I
rock at bible trivia games. I’m so legit. I can even pronounce a few Hebrew
words, and I know the four different Greek words for love. I’ve gone to
seminary!
Then I told myself the truth: I can’t really handle ordinary
life with a constant peace or lasting joy. I do ok loving when it’s easy. I
don’t love much when it’s hard!”
I enjoyed the author’s honesty, transparency and courage to
ask the tough questions we don’t think to ask ourselves. This book makes you
stop, think and ask yourself some thought provoking questions. I liked the
layout and how Nicole reveals things about herself and characters from the
bible. She deals with five common issues in her book: control, insecurity,
comparisons, fear and anger.
The author first defines the issue and how to deal with it.
Then she has a few questions you can ask yourself to assess and identify how
intently you struggle with the issue being addressed.
There is a word-up section where she helps the reader focus
their thoughts on scripture. She says, “God’s word has the supernatural ability
to satisfy your longings in a way that no other word can.”
She goes on to say, “We don’t think about the thing that’s
driving the action that’s driving us crazy.” I like how she brings up this
matter and helps the reader uncover why behaviors make them crazy.
This book can be read and done individually and/or as a
group study with friends. Group discussion questions are included for your
group if you want to use the book that way.
The author also has a Prayer section I enjoyed: Example
prayer: “God I know there is a way that seems right to me. Would you open my
heart to receive your instruction in this?”
At the end of each chapter there is the Prayer, a journaling
Exercise – reflections time to help you on your journey and deal with issues
you may not have been aware of and
stories from the bible to reflect on as well. The author says this about what
she hopes you take away from She’s God
Issues, “there is great freedom in transparency. My desire is that this
book will invite you into that place of honesty with yourself, others and with
God.”
What a encouraging look at a topic many of us don’t want to
talk about and/or either stop to think about. I enjoyed this author’s humor,
transparency and how she shares about the fact none of us will be perfect this side
of heaven. We’ll have issues until Jesus returns. She’s Got Issues is a book you take your time reading. You'll be
comforted to know you are not alone, others have issues too, and it's a time to
reflect on characters from the bible that had issues as well. None of us wants
to admit we have stuff to deal with. Nicole Unice gives hope in the healing
process, and help to reflect on God’s word and the issues you might be facing.
It’s good for a group study with people you know. I liked how this author tells
the leader how to make the study safe for sharing and growing as the groups
goes from chapter to chapter. Our world is changing all the time and our issues
change as we learn and grow. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent
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