As women, we struggle to feel like we’re good enough because we are bombarded daily with messages that whisper, “Who you are is not okay.” We live in a world that tells us we have to look a certain way, live a certain lifestyle, have husbands who fit a certain mold, and have children that excel in every area of their lives. And rather than thrive in the life we have, we strive to create an … have, we strive to create an existence that impresses others.
This impossible treadmill leaves us with deep discontentment and a joyless existence.
God doesn’t apologize for how He created us. And while we’re always being molded by our Creator, it’s only to shape us for the calling on our life–not so we can fit into a world we were never meant to:
“Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. Love others well, and don’t hide behind a mask; love authentically” (Romans 12:2, 9).
What if we had the confidence to shed our fears and be who God created us to be–stumbles, fumbles, and all–relishing who we are rather than conforming to the world? Using an acrostic for the word AUTHENTIC, author Carey Scott unpacks 9 ways we can find the confidence we need to shine with fearless authenticity:
1. Accept Your Awesomeness
2. Unearth the Untruths
3. Try Loving Everyone
4. Hold on to Hope
5. Extend Forgiveness
6. Never Shrink Back
7. Trample the Negatives
8. Invest in Community
9. Camp in the Word of God
Let’s link arms and commit to living authentic lives. . .together. Are you ready?
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encourages perspective on life events and personal growth that makes us more amenable to God’s plans for us and our contribution to the larger plan. Encouraging, affirming that all are imperfect yet deeply loved and useful.
Honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read on authenticity. I learned so much from this book that I decided to share with my ladies small group. “Unafraid” was monumental in me embracing my past and realizing Gods plan for my life. I’m so thankful and grateful to Ms. Scott for writing this book.
This would have probably been a pretty good book if the author didn’t use the phrase “grit and grace” in almost every paragraph. If that was the name of the book, I could understand, and even then it would have been too much. I couldn’t get beyond the repetition to focus on the message of the book. And there were instances where the author seemed to be illustrating her point with an example from her life or people she knows and never actually tell what happened that would make her point.
Great book. Truly awesome
Carey writes from a deeply feeling point of view. Her book challenged me to get more in touch with my feelings and to respond better to persons who are speaking to me from a feeling point of view
God has NOT given us fear but He has given us power, His love, and sound minds. Carey Scott encourages women to be authentic and stop listening to the devil’s lies about us. The first couple of chapters went a little slow and I wasn’t sure what I thought about the book or author but I ended up appreciating the book and Carey’s insights into living the way God wants: Unafraid! One of my favorite quotes from the book is “When God thought you up, it delighted Him. He wasn’t in a bad mood when He made you. God didn’t form you because He need to fill space on the earth. Friend, you’re an intentional creation, and He put time and effort into your design. You really are fearfully and wonderfully made, just like we’re told in Psalm 139:14.” I recommend this encouraging book to others. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Unafraid by Carey Scott is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of her work. The author has written a book that is filled with thought-provoking nuggets of truth regarding living an authentic life rather than being a fake. Although written in an easy-to-read manner as a friend to a friend, the Biblical truths that are shared require the reader to stop and examine her own life and think about how to implement the ideas presented. Scott gives clear-cut suggestions on how to live unafraid and it begins with knowing who one is and not just one’s role or responsibilities in life. Having set the foundation of who one is as God’s creation, the author takes the next nine chapters to ‘unpack’ ways to live authentically with oneself, others, and with God, using an acrostic for the word ‘authentic’. One of the takeaways for me is as women we crave validation (that is so true for me) and the importance of finding that validation in a relationship with a tender God, knowing He sees our worth. Another thought that resonated with me was the fact of the internal dialogue of lies that we often have with ourselves and how to counteract those with the truth of God’s Word. At the end of each of these nine chapters, the author guides readers to personalize what she has presented with questions under the heading of Finding the Grit and a prayer under Finding the Grace heading and a reminder of the authentic acrostic under Live. Unafraid is a wonderful book, full of truths based on God’s Word — a book to be read and reflected on–a book for one’s own library and for sharing with other women who want to live a confident and courageous life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
A book that speaks to your heart about becoming authentic instead of hiding behind the masks that we put on to be a people pleaser. “People need truth, and they also need hope.” is a wonderful quote from this book. If you are looking for a way to be more real and open and becoming the you that God intended you to be then pick up Unafraid and take the steps to be an overcomer. Find the confidence to show others the real person created in the image of God. This is a very impressive and helpful book. Written in an easy to understand and applicable way.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
“Unafraid” is a book that targets women of all ages. Girls and young women often struggle with anxieties about beauty and attractiveness but older women tend to trade these worries for other concerns. We may no longer be obsessed about our outward appearances but we stress instead over being able to live up to the expectations of family, friends, co-workers and even our fellow church members. This needs to end because God created each of us to be just the way we are. Don’t worry about not being pretty enough or smart enough. Don’t think that you have to be the perfect wife, mother, grandmother, daughter or sister. Don’t feel pressured to be exactly like someone else. I especially appreciate this observation that author Carey Scott makes on page 253 of this book. “Friend, you’re an intentional creation, and He put time and effort into your design. You really are fearfully and wonderfully made, just like we’re told in Psalm 139:14.” She suggests that we should choose to be Authentic and she uses an acrostic of this word to share nine tips that can change our lives. We need to
Accept Our Awesomeness
Unearth the Untruths
Try Loving Everyone
Hold On To Hope
Extend and Embrace Forgiveness
Never Shrink Back
Trample the Negatives
Invest In Community
Camp In the Word of God
“Unafraid” has thirteen chapters filled with practical advice based on the author’s own personal experiences. Carey Scott shares the doubts and fears that she herself has experienced and reading this book makes you feel like you are having a personal conversation with her. She suggests that we need to end our ‘counterfeit living’ and stop being something that we aren’t. Instead of suffering silently and being afraid to speak we need to learn to act bravely and speak boldly. We need to live un-afraid! God’s Word is a big part of this book and there are many examples of Biblical people who struggled, suffered and eventually endured; they chose to conquer their fears and their stories provide even more motivation.
The words chosen for the subtitle are also the final words used in “Unafraid”. ‘Be you. Be authentic. Find the grit and grace to shine’. Perfect beginning and ending words for a book that challenges, inspires and uplifts each person reading it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.