Holding On When You Want to Let Go: Clinging to Hope When Life Is Falling Apart

I admit when I first read the bold title (without the subtitle), I thought it might be a bit stark or hyperbole; my first thought was, "wanting to let go of living," yet, I wanted desperatly to read it. I knew that Shelia had a long history and battle with depression and that's always something I've appreciated about her -her willingness to share and be transparent about it. She gives hope to those who also trudge through the same darkness. But "Wanting to let go"? Ohhh, I was worried. What did she want to "let go of?"At the same time, I was in the middle of my own battles of wanting to let go and I just didn't realize or have a name for it. I began the book in the middle of the fourth wave of this Pandemic that has already re-started this depression battle for many of us. My grandmother passed away at the beginning of COVID, (early 2020) but I held on to hope and was able to remain the family and work cheerleader. Then May 2021 hit with some huge disappointments and I began to lose that abliity to keep cheering. But what do you do? Sometimes you get to a point when you don't know what or how to pray; where the prayers have been the same and remain seemingly unanswered. I'd hit a wall.Shelia gets to the point quickly because her point isn't about her new cyle with depession; it chronicles her ablity to find the Lord in the midst of all the bad news & an unprecented global lonliness and help us understand his love so much more deeply. It took me while to realize I was in trouble and even longer to seek the correct help. I started with a therapist, but it's been empty, even counter-productive. In August and the annoucnnment for the book came...but it felt so far away! When I got an offer to read it early, I grabbed the chance.When I started reading, I started finding those strands of hope that Shelia ever so carefully wove into a rope of Hope. Sheila doesn't talk as much about her own depression as she does about God's love for her and she puts it in a way that helps the reader start to see those glimpses of hope. The correct help is God, but when he seems so far and silent, how is he that help? Shelia talks about that throughout the book and in ways I never realized or considered. She shed new light to lonely, desperate moments such as in the Garden of Gethsemene when Jesus went to pray, the last few hours on the cross, and the signifcance of Jesus waiting to go see Lazarus until after Lazarus had died.Chapter 2 particulary resonated with me. She discusses being Alone vs. Lonely. As an introvert, I've been alone for a long time, no problem. But at the time of reading, I was at home with COVID & a sick kid. My husband barely checked on me; and even though I worked, no one at work (except one friend on leave) actually asked how I was holding up. I was horribly lonely and at that point realized I have been for a long while. Catching COVID just sealed it and pointed it out loud and clear. It shattered the last of my fragile defenses & illusions that I was doing fine.[book:Holding on When You Want to Let Go: Clinging to Hope When Life Is Falling Apart|57071117] gave me a bit of a lifeline to cling to as I learned more and more about God's love for me & also feel like a dear friend (Shelia) was with me. Then I got to chapter 3 and a truth in there that I need to get painted on a sign. "Satan can't hurt God, so his plan is to hurt how we see God....if he can get us to ....question the love of God, he has scored a victory." Wow. Mic Drop. I've questioned God's Love my entire life.As you keep reading, and Shelia keeps sharing these beautiful truths, you start to see these truthes and glimpses of rope being woven into a rope to which you can cling. I love that she actually went to seminary and can explain the meaning behind a text, an image, or even a simple word. This is how she weaves the truth of Christ and his love into a hope we can cling to as life continues falling apart.I'm still reading, but I'm savoring Shelia's imagry and the truths she presents. I'm still struggling with that depression and wanting to let go- let go of a marriage, let go of a frustrating, but good job. Let go and go hide away from all the bad news and live as a hermit in a cabin. But each day I read, i find those glimpses of hope. I don't see a rescue rope every day. Sometimes, I'm clinging to the frayed end, but I have something to cling to and language to use in my prayers. Please help me not let go of.....Please give me hope, give me something to cling to.I'm espeically excited to listen to the book when I receive the Audio Book copy. Sheila's sweet voice with her Scottish accent is such a treasure to listen to, and I have truly felt like she's on the phone with me, telling me the truthes my thristy soul so despeartely needs to hear. I know I'll see and hear additional comfort and truths that wilI help me clign tightly to the hope and love of Christ. I highly recommend this book and hope that it gives you a refuge in times of sadness and troubles.

Wow. Just wow. Sheila’s raw and straightforward message resonates in my heart once again. At first, it’s hard to fathom how a young girl found comfort in the debris of a castle in Scotland… but honestly, we all have those broken places that just seem to best fit when we feel alone. The pandemic exposed a lot of loneliness for so many, including Sheila who writes that, “Feelings can be powerful liars” and to add insult to injury, we then face “One of the greatest challenges to our faith- when the waves of past mistakes or wrong choices often wash upon the shore of our souls when things go wrong.” Holding On When You Want To Let Go clearly points us to the wondrous power of Tetelestai. We need to hold onto and embrace that sacred promise with our outstretched arms and often tear stained faces in every situation that may otherwise drag us deeper into the lonely places. I so value the genuineness of Sheila’s heart's cry with raised arms stretched to the sky in full surrender. And, I can only imagine the Lord’s posture and outstretched arms, scooping her close- even though she’s felt forgotten or looked over or full of pain- where she can clearly see that her name is inscribed on the palm of His mighty hand, and she is rescued, redeemed and held. This can be our story, too. We may, or may not, intentionally cover up the dark spaces that we just can’t seem to face or examine any deeper; but trusting in our good Shepherd, who wants to invade every nook and cranny of our heart and mind, actually transports us to His presence so the miraculous work of holding on and letting go can begin. This book is a journey of companionship and grace for all who, despite feeling broken, are desperately trying to hold on- even if only by a thread. There is peace knowing that, no matter what, we are held.

Let's face it, life is hard! We make mistakes and bad choices. Someone has hurt you deeply or perhaps you have hurt someone else. Life feels crazy and totally out of control, but God is in control of it all. We don't understand how a good and loving God can allow such awful things to happen. Sheila walks you through the journey of what trusting God looks like through the lives of others who have done just that. Sheila shares some very personal and difficult experiences from her own life, sharing her struggles, doubts and pain. She doesn't sugar coat the trials and challenges we all face in life or claim to have all the answers to our problems. What she does is come along side you and reassures you that you aren't alone, there is hope and peace available to you. This book is full of God's promises and reminders of His love for each one of us. He cares about you, even about the littlest things in your life. God is with you always, even when you don't feel Him. Sheila walks you through the things you should "Hold On to" and the things your should "Let Go of." This book is encouraging and uplifting. It is one I will pick up time and time again and share with family and friends. We have hope through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Sheila Walsh has done it again today she has written another BEST Seller , Sheila writes as if she is sitting With us at the dining room table or in living room Sheila shares her heartWritten during a pandemic of COVID , when she found herself spiralling, downward into depression., She has suffered from clinical depression since she was 34 years of age, When she ended up in a Psychiatrichospital , where she received some healing.The book is a total of 10 chapters. The first 5 are about us holding on the last 5 are about being held i by Our Heavenly Father, She uses the Analogy of a jigsaw puzzle pieces, When we give God all the pieces , piece by piece we are made whole. She shares the final puzzle piece that she had been looking for , for a VERY long time, and she wasn’t sure if she ever would find the missing pieceOne of the quotes I like is. As believers in Christ we do NOT get what we deserve. We get what we DON’T deserve. That is God’s GRACEI would recommend this book to anybody who struggles (d)!with the pandemic of COVID or just life in general. We might not want to hold on, when you things get hard. Sheila reminds us that we can have hope By pointing us to Jesus.

I liked the way the book was written and the references to different verses throughout. Sheila’s personal experience carries a very strong message and it makes me believe in her relationship with God and gives me hope that God will do the same for me- help me, comfort me, take care of my life.

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It was the Audible Version that I 'read' and Sheila Walsh's soft, beautiful lilting speech and obvious sincerity no doubt added to the pleasure of immersing myself in her book. However, I bought the paper version for a friend too. I found there were so many incredibly pertinent and uplifting nuggets of encouragement throughout this book that I'm now planning to get the print version so that I can read it again slowly, prayerfully, underlining as I absorb it better.It is suitable for a wide range of people - non, new and lifelong believers. Anyone who has misplaced or is searching for their purpose, reason & direction in the madness and challenge of living. Who has ever needed encouragement in this challenging, often painful, life adventure we are all involved in!Read it and let it's message touch the depths of your being.

This book spoke to me from the very first lines! It was just what I needed to hear! Sheila Walsh is a magnificent writer because she shares her heart! Every word resonated with me! It was as if she were speaking just to me! I have recommended this book to several of my friends already! Thank you Sheila for being honest and straight talking,so refreshing!Linda Evans