Lysa TerKeurst’s Uninvited Invites You Back In
In order for a writer to be effective, readers must be able to relate to the writer, the subject matter needs to be intriguing, and the writer must be a little vulnerable. Lysa TerKeurst’s new book, Uninvited is relatable, it’s intriguing, and Lysa is vulnerable as she opens up about her own life experiences of rejection. When you hear Lysa give a speech, you see she’s real, down to earth, and open. So whether you’re reading Uninvited or listening to Lysa give a speech you get the sense that this author is wise and has faced her fare share of brokenness. But Lysa invites the reader into her imperfections, her challenges, her burdens, and her rejections in both personal and professional life examples.
While Uninvited is to the point, Lysa isn’t overbearing. She unfolds the elements of rejection we all face, fears, insecurities, being mistreated and left out, and she does this by sharing her own personal experiences. In 16 chapters, Lysa writes about all types of rejection and how to deal with them. She opens the book by showing why rejection affects us so much. We feel rejected by others so much, because we have affirmed rejection about ourselves first. “Rejection steals the best of who I am by reinforcing the worst of what’s been said to me,” states Lysa in the book. She goes into how feelings are like broken boards, but if we tie our identities to Christ and wrap ourselves in the truth of God’s word, then as Lysa points out “only truth will be sold, unchanging and stable through and through.”
Lysa takes this concept of applying Biblical truth about our lives a step further by pointing out the importance of totally trusting God, even in the things we can’t understand in life. She introduces concepts like “living loved and being full” in Christ so that we can have a good relationship with God, others, and ourselves. She goes into how we should renew our minds in Christ when life seems to unravel, as well as reminding the Christian reader that the peace of our souls are not tied into people, but to Christ. Lysa walks the reader through the lives of fascinating Biblical characters like Abigail, who was well acquainted with hardship, negative people like her husband, Nabal, rejection and life not turning out how we would prefer it to.
Lysa strategically and naturally weaves practical life applications of how to overcome rejection into every chapter. She also presents her journaled prayers designed for tough times, rejection, and hardships. In her writing, the reader is reminded of the gift of grace and how grace must abound when rejection ensues. She reminds us readers to focus our minds on God and to worship Him, not the prowler (the devil) who offers rejection and emptiness. Using an Easter analogy, Lysa reminds the reader that while there is often a delay between rejection Friday (Good Friday) and resurrection Sunday (Easter Sunday), God always delivers on His promises to redeem His children from rejection.
It is with a strong sense of self, a love of Christ, and a love of people that Lysa writes Uninvited. Lysa’s main aim is to remind the reader that though we are pressed, we are not crushed. With a profound sense of compassion, it is clear that Lysa wrote Uninvited, because she believes it will bless those suffering from all types of rejection, and she presents tools that she believes can offer freedom to the reader, should they choose to walk in the freedom and healing promise of Christ.
Uninvited is a must read, so read it!
How do you win a copy?
**Only for US residents**
For the Instagram users, go to Seele's page (@SeeleMag), follow Seele, and comment on the most recent post on Uninvited on why you should win this book. If you don't have Instagram, email Seele at seelemag@gmail.com why you should win this book. Your name will be entered into a drawing and winners will be announced the evening of August 9th.
Lysa TerKeurst is President of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the New York Times best-selling author. Her new book, Uninvited is out today! In it, Lysa unpacks how rejections of our past affect us more than we realize. All of us are either trying to heal a past rejection, deal with a present rejection or fear that an unexpected rejection is just around the corner. And that’s exactly why she wrote Uninvited.
