What’s It All About?
What’s Your Book About?
When people ask me what my book is about, I often go blank. Not because I don’t remember, but because I find it difficult to fully explain exactly what’s in it. It’s complicated. Yet, it’s so simple that I make it complicated.
“What’s your book about?”
“Um… healing. It’s about my journey after being healed of over forty years of depression, intimidation, and mental and emotional abuse.”
They usually back up, a look of ‘oh great, she’s a wacko’ on their face. Seriously, it is about the healing but it’s about so much more than that.
It’s About So Much More Than Healing
Walking Healed is about God wanting to work in the lives of His people. Yes, it’s an account of my journey. However, there’s not much about me in the book. I try to convey different thoughts throughout the book that connect to my healing but also give the reader an insight into how God wants to do this in their lives.
This book is written for those who are dealing with depression, intimidation, verbal abuse, addictions, or whatever else they may be going through that prevents them from living the abundant life that Jesus died so we can have. That’s what it’s about. It’s also for those who, in their minds think they’re being helpful when in reality they’re causing more hurt than help.I was approached by a man not long after the launch of Walking Healed. He had been talking to my husband then looked pointedly at me and said, “Actually, I really wanted to see you. I have something to say to you.”
At this point, I wasn’t sure what he wanted to say to me, but after he finished talking with my husband he turned to me, “I read your book.” His eyes became misty, but he continued anyway. “I thought I was buying it for someone else. Turns out, I was buying it for me. Because of what you wrote, I was able to salvage a relationship. So thank you. And I’m going to give you a big hug.”
It’s moments like this that I realize God is doing a vast miracle in the lives of those who read this book. It’s not about me at all. It’s about what God did in and through me and what He’s doing in those who are reading. Without Him, there would be no healing. There would be no book. There would be no one else’s life being changed.
It’s A Journey
Walking Healed is a journey. It’s my journey after being healed. In the book I do talk about different things I have gone through, that many other people may be going through. I had to become very transparent and talk about some things that were not pleasant for me. In no way did I degrade anyone, but I did talk about the verbal abuse that I suffered from many family members, teachers, peers, and others. It had to be said. No names were mentioned so really no one knows to whom I was referring.
Life is real. Life is hard. We often go through things that cause us hurt and distress. We suffer. It’s a given. This world is not our home. It may sound cliché but it’s the truth. This is why I call this a journey. If becoming transparent enough to share what I’ve been through and how God helped me out of it helps someone else, then I’m glad I did it. And I would do it again, and again, and again.
Keep Telling Your Story
There are also people who don’t want to hear my story. That’s okay. Some wish I would stop talking about it. To that I can only say, keep wishing. It’s not going to happen. A very wise and Godly man once told me, “Don’t ever stop talking about your healing. Your story needs to be heard because it gives encouragement to others who need to hear what you went through. So keep telling it.” I take his advice as much as I can.People are going to get mad because, “she’s talking about her healing again.” Yes I am! Because, not everyone has heard it. If you happen to be standing close enough to overhear me start telling it again and don’t want to hear it, just walk away. The person I’m telling it to may just need some encouragement, to hear how God wants to touch their life.
Special Book Offer
If you haven’t read Walking Healed and would like to, I’m offering an electronic copy* of it to anyone who responds to this post. I’m also offering a signed paperback copy to the first five people who email me at shelley@shelleywilburn.org. The holidays are fast approaching. Walking Healed would make a great gift.
Wouldn’t you like to walk healed in the New Year, or see someone you love walk healed? The book doesn’t heal. But the God who healed me so I could write the book does.
*If you choose an electronic version please indicate which format you prefer; Kindle, Nook, or PDF
