Sheila Walsh’s Book Honestly

I am not great at book reviews, but I did want to tell you about Sheila Walsh’s book, Honestly. Don’t look for all the formal techniques of book reviews here because you won’t find them. What you will get is “honest” information about this wonderful book by Sheila Walsh which takes you through her journey through, and out of, depression.

Title: Honestly
Book Categories: Christian Living, Practical Life, and Women
Author: Sheila Walsh
Sheila Walsh, author of many books including Gifts for Your Soul, Living Fearlessly, The Best Devotions of Sheila Walsh, and others, is also the creator of Children of Faith and the Gnoo Zoo, a ministry for children. Sheila was a former 700 Club host, and is a singer, and a speaker for the Women of Faith Conferences.
Book style: Written as a personal life experience book told from Sheila’s point of view through numerous stories, rather than a medical reference book that simply lists symptoms, the recovery process, etc.
ISBN Number: 0-310-21961-7

Book information:
The title of this book, Honestly, is so appropriate because Sheila does not hold anything back. She tells us point blank the things she struggled with while dealing with depression, while telling us, the reader, in a graceful manner, rather than being blunt and scaring the reader.

We follow Sheila throughout her life getting to know her better and her family. She even shares with us the horrible situation with her father, who dealt with mental illness and died early on her life. She indicates that many of the poor interactions Sheila had with her father led to some of her health issues later in her life. She’s honest with the reader, telling us in the book that was through some of experiences with her father that made her strive for perfection. She felt if she could be perfect in his eyes, he wouldn’t get so angry. This is a lot of pressure though and a bit tough to keep up with your entire life and this is part of what made Sheila ill.

On the outside Sheila looked like a perfectly happy women, hosting the 700 Club, a popular Christian television show. She looked well put together, pretty, well-kept, confident, and smart. But what the audience didn’t know was that she was crumbling inside. In fact, on the last day as host of the 700 Club, she was on the show in the morning and checked herself into a mental institution at night. And because of her role as a leader and speaker in the Christian sector, not all fans or other Christian leaders were real supportive. Many criticized Sheila for what they saw as a weakness and told her that God was unhappy with her. Unfortunately these people were quite uneducated on the topic of depression and didn’t realize what a serious illness it is – not a weakness. Perhaps they should read Sheila’s book!

When I was contemplating reading this book, I was a little apprehensive. I knew Sheila took us through her journey in a mental institution while dealing with depression and my preconceived notions of what that is like came crashing in on my mind. I was afraid I’d be afraid of reading this book. But after I read the book, I was glad I did. Sheila handled her time in the mental institution delicately and portrayed it in a very positive light. For her, it really seemed to be helpful, filled with therapy and Christian counseling.

Depressed people or family and friends of someone depressed will not only be entertained by the book Honestly, they’ll be highly educated on the illness of depression. Through Sheila’s stories, those without depression will get a first hand account of the many struggles faced by depressed people, and those with depression will be able to identify with someone else who has been through depression. Reading this book will help those depressed understand that they really aren’t alone and that this problem is common to so many even Christians and those, like Sheila, who are in the public eye. The book provides hope and inspiration to those who feel they have no hope. After reading the book, the reader will walk away with the thought, “If Sheila can survive depression, so can I.”

One other thing I really liked about the book was that Sheila sprinkles it with scripture. And although this book is written from her perspective she keeps God in it, which to me, provides hope.

Not only is the content inspiring, but it’s well written as well. The book is written in clear language that would be easy for anyone, with any level of education to understand. And I’ve heard Sheila speak before, and I as I read the book, I felt like she was sitting right next to me reading it out loud to me. It was truly written in her voice. She has such a friendly way about her and reveals so much about herself and her horrible journey that by the time you are done with the book, you feel like you are good friends with Sheila.

I’d highly recommend the book Honestly for anyone dealing with depression or knows someone who is. Please note though, that reading this book isn’t a replacement for medical advice. Talking to your doctor is of the up most importance. Use the book only as a means of inspiration and encouragement.