We live in a world yearning for authenticity yet we post on social media the carefully, and beautifully, crafted parts of our lives. In so doing, we often lose ourselves as we become self-absorbed, superficial, and worn out.
In her book, Sick of Me, Whitney Capps explores spiritual growth and calls each reader to go beyond transparency to true transformation.
“The Christian life is never meant to make people think more or better of me. The goal is for me to look more like Christ, and, should people happen to notice me in the process, for them to think more of Jesus.”
(from page 9)
We are called to become daily more like Him.
The book reminds us that the process of sanctification is a life long pursuit. It is achieved as the Holy Spirit works in our lives yet we are to pursue sanctification, cooperating with the Holy Spirit. Obedience becomes our pursuit in the process, and to quote the author, “… holiness is the endgame”.
As believers we are called to be set apart, to be different than this world, and this is hard. It will demand sacrifice and a laying down of ourselves, which will cause a struggle with our souls. We will come to discover:
“All the hustle in the world can’t get us farther than the hand of God can take us or has appointed us to go.”
(from page 38).
The book is convicting and challenging in every good way. The author repeatedly brings the message: “Separate is hard, hard is good, God is best”, which helps us to see deep meaning in the difficulties we experience in life. Every hardship serves a purpose beyond our understanding.
Jesus called those in His day to live in an upside-down way, contrary to the thinking of their day and of the religious leaders.
There is a tension which builds inside of us as we strive to make ourselves happy while at the same time, pursuing Jesus. Sick of Me reminds us that this is what transformation brings about, we are meant to be uncomfortable in this world.
Sick of Me brings a powerful challenge to us all:
“Can you imagine what our lives might look like if we confessed what’s broken in us, and then chased the better version not of ourselves, but chased Christ? In the end, that’s what it’s about. God is best. Life with Christ and life like Christ.”
(from page 177)
Sick of Me is beautifully and powerfully written, each chapter pulling us to be less of ourselves and to pursue being more like Christ.
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Today I am joining … Heart Encouragement and Destination Inspiration and Tune In Thursday and Booknificent Thursday .
Thanks for sharing. I’ve seen this book before and I think the cover is perfect (although it makes me cringe a bit to see it scribbled out!) Thanks for sharing this…I think it’s something we can all relate to!
Sounds like a must read, Joanne. For a long time now, my goal has been to empty myself of “self” so that there is more room for God’s light to shine through me. This book sounds like it would help me with that.
The book made me realize just that, Laurie. Only when I am emptied of me will there be more room for Him. I truly loved the book.
Definitely adding this book to my list I just told my husband the other night that I was “Sick of me”. Sick of how I race through life and my huge list of responsibilities and tasks. I need to remember that He is in control and that He is working in me. Thank you!
Susan, it is so true. We fill up our days and keep ourselves busy, forgetting we must need room for Him to mold us and use us as He sees best.
This book sounds like the perfect antidote to the current “Christian self-help” books out there. laurensparks.net
I thought the same thing, Lauren. May we truly realize that only through Him can we find the help and change we need.
This book sounds so good. The quotes you pulled out are giving me lots to think about. This book is going on my reading list.
That dying to self is something our world can’t relate to but is so important to our spiritual growth. I think it’s a lifelong process. The self wants to be at the center, but getting “sick of me” is a good start, isn’t it! This sounds like a valuable resource in that journey.
Donna, I agree with you that it is a lifelong process. He begins the process in us and sees it to completion.
I love this! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina