Silencing Insecurity by Donna Gibbs

I am very impressed with this book. It is packed with practical information and workable strategies. I had no idea of the great influence insecurities have on our lives. Gibbs does an excellent job of identifying those things that impact our sense of identity, exploring the problems insecurities cause, and then giving great ideas to lead us to accept our identity in Christ.

I like how Gibbs identifies the many things that can hijack our identity. I was surprisingly shocked when she wrote that it was not the things that are the problems but it is when they are given control in our lives that they become problems. Suppose there has been a traumatic event. It becomes a problem when we form an attachment to that event, when we let it define us. We must separate our identity from the event. We are encouraged to understand that what God says about us is much more powerful than the negative impact of life experiences. Those events do not define us in God's eyes so we are not to let them define us in our own eyes. (532/2493) Easier said than done, perhaps, but Gibbs gives good strategies for identifying toxic thought patterns. She advocates an aggressive and persistent pursuit of the truth about us, leading to wholeness.

I was particularly struck by the importance of our growing to spiritual maturity. “And when we come to maturity in fully believing that God is who He says He is, we also mature in accepting that we are who He says we are.” (1519/2493 Italics in original.)

There are questions at the end of each chapter for personal reflection. This book could be used as a group study but it should be with trusted friends as the questions delve deep into sensitive areas of life. There is also a great Appendix, filled with Scripture to help you as you work to wholeness.

I highly recommend this book to readers who struggle with insecurities or have trouble believing what God says is true about you. You'll find excellent information and a practical strategy for growth. You'll be encouraged to live for an Audience of One.

You can read an excerpt at https://www.silencinginsecurity.com/.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Donna Gibbs graduated from North Carolina State University with a BA in psychology. She earned an MS in community counseling from Western Carolina University and a PhD in Christian counseling and psychology from Louisiana Baptist University. She is a licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, a National Certified Counselor, a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor, and an adjunct online professor of counseling for Fruitland Bible Institute. Previously, she directed A Clear Word Counseling Center. She has authored Becoming Resilient and is often featured on radio broadcasts. She and her husband have four boys. You can find out more at https://summitwellnesscenters.com/. Photo Credit: Credit: Leigh Beddingfield

Revell, 192 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.