About the book––
Tired of Trying to Win Approval and Escape Rejection?
Peer pressure, codependency, shame, low self-esteem; these are just some of the words used to identify how people are controlled by others' opinions. Why is it so important to be liked? Why is rejection so traumatic? Edward T. Welch's insightful, biblical answers to these questions show that freedom from others' opinions and genuine, loving relationships grow as we learn about ourselves, others, and God. This interactive book includes questions for individual or group study and is suitable for teenagers and young adults.
About the author––
Edward T. Welch, M.Div., Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He has counseled for over twenty-five years and is the best-selling author of many books including When People Are Big and God Is Small; Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave; Blame It on the Brain?; Depression: A Stubborn Darkness; Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction; Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest; and When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety. He and his wife Sheri have two married daughters and four grandchildren.
My review–– While this book is being promoted as more for the 15-25 year old age group, I still found it immensely helpful. In fact, I know some who are in the 65-75 year old age group who still struggle with these questions.
The three main questions which Welch has the reader grapple with are these:
Who Is God?
Who Am I?
Who Are They?
Before seeking answers to these questions, the author points the reader to what is really at the heart of this whole issue: the heart! What are we worshiping? Who are we worshiping? Why are we worshiping? Get these answers right and the others will be much easier to deal with and live out accordingly.
I've not read the author's previous work, When People Are Big and God Is Small, but I wonder if some of the answers to the first BIG question don't follow from that source. If we see God as small, petty, grumpy or distant, the people around us will be so much bigger in the way in which they influence and shape us. So, look closely at the Bible and see how BIG God is.
Once you've seen what a wonderful God He is and what He has done for you through Jesus Christ, you'll be well on your way to dealing with question #2. As you discover who you are in Christ, the peace, power, and comfort which comes from this knowledge is immense.
Question #3 takes the shortest amount of space. If you are able to see great progress in the first two areas, this one is so much easier to deal with. Figuring out that you need to focus on loving others and not needing them will make such a tremendous difference in one's outlook through life.
This book has plenty of spaces within it so that the reader can actually interact with various questions and statements. It could also be used as a small group study book, especially for teens and college-aged students.
I can highly recommend this book to you.
What Do You Think of Me? And Why Do I Care? may be purchased here:
This book was received free of charge for review purposes only.