Why It's Okay If You Have Weird Wiring--A Review of You're Already Amazing

Creative electrical wiring coursed through the walls of my childhood home. A number of light switches seemed to have been installed either upside down or backwards. My dad, who had no formal training as an electrician, was prone to tap into the house’s electrical system and add outlets now and then as the need arose. I’m sure the house would have given nightmares to any conscientious building safety inspector.

Within the church, I’ve met women who seem to struggle with their own weird wiring. They wonder if they fit in, or how they fit in, or whether or not they’ve got anything to offer within the body of Christ. For those wrestling with similar questions, Holley Gerth’s new book, You’re Already Amazing:  Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be, offers good news. God had intention and purpose in creating you the way you are.

With warmth and humor, and demonstrating a love for God’s word, Gerth encourages women to make the most of who God designed them to be. Too often, I think, women within the church have made the mistake of equating humility with a denial of their God-given strengths and talents. Or they stand like the woman accused before Jesus and hear voices of condemnation, their own or those of trusted others saying, “You’re stupid. You’re ugly. You think God is going to use someone like you? You’ve really got nothing of significance to offer, have you?”

Drawing from her experience as a counselor, Gerth offers diagnostic tools to assist women in identifying their unique strengths, skills, and relational styles. One of my concerns, upon reading the title, was that the book’s emphasis would echo those of so many others shelved in self-improvement sections of bookstores. Surely contemporary culture sends enough messages that I should love myself and work toward building my self-esteem. I wasn’t sure I was interested in a book that was introspective and self-focused, when the gospel calls me to spend myself for Christ and his kingdom.

Gerth encourages women to listen to biblical truth rather than lies of hyped-up self-esteem or of unmerciful condemnation. Instead of being a self-indulgent exercise in introspection, Gerth’s book suggests:

If your intent is to love God, others, and yourself more, then knowing who you are is one of the most unselfish things you can do.

Gerth identifies another common area of struggle among women, one which keeps many from believing God has a purpose for their lives. She suggests that, too often, we compare ourselves with one another and believe we fall short; we’re not like the other women in the church. Gerth says it’s actually a good thing when one approaches life differently than those around her. She says,

If most people don’t do what you do, and you’re passionately pursuing Jesus with your life, then it’s probably not just a human plan. The heartbeat of God is probably somewhere within it. We need you, just you, to fulfill that purpose, complete that project, bring that gift to the world in a way no one else can.

While reading through Gerth’s book, I didn’t take the time to work through all the exercises. However, I believe the tools, questions, and study guide at the end of the book would provide meaningful context for discussion, either in small groups or within a mentoring relationship. I appreciated Gerth’s repeated recommendations to discuss, with a trusted friend, one’s responses to the book’s questions. In addition to Gerth’s recognition that God has created each of us as unique, she reminds her readers that we are not to live out our callings in isolation. Gerth emphasizes the value of community and relationship within the body of Christ.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I probably should make a confession. I have sort of a girl crush on Holley’s voice. It’s likely she could write just about any ridiculous nonsense in her sweet southern style, and I would eat her words up with a spoon.

The good news about this book is that it’s not ridiculous nonsense. You’re Already Amazing is a warm, thoughtful, and biblical means of encouraging women to accept their own weird wiring and pursue with joy the calling God has for their lives.

Disclosure: You’re Already Amazing is published by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, which provided a free copy for my review. The above opinion is my own. This post contains no affiliate links; I earn no compensation for any purchases of this book.

InCourage is featuring Holley’s book this month in a book club discussion beginning Monday, March 26. They are also hosting a giveaway at their site. Click the InCourage link for details.