Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection by Edward T. Welch

Dec 25, 2012 Harold Cameron rated it 5 of 5 stars

"How God Lifts The Pain of Worthlessness & Rejection"

No More Hiding

"Shame controls far too many of us. Worthless, inferior, rejected, weak, humiliated, failure...it all adds up to wishing we could get away from others and hide. We know what shame feels like. The way out, however, is harder to find. Time doesn't help, neither does confession, because shame is just as often from what others do to you as it is from what you have done. But the Bible is about shame from start to finish, and, if w...more "How God Lifts The Pain of Worthlessness & Rejection"

No More Hiding

"Shame controls far too many of us. Worthless, inferior, rejected, weak, humiliated, failure...it all adds up to wishing we could get away from others and hide. We know what shame feels like. The way out, however, is harder to find. Time doesn't help, neither does confession, because shame is just as often from what others do to you as it is from what you have done. But the Bible is about shame from start to finish, and, if we are willing, God's beautiful words break through. Look at Jesus through the lens of shame and see how the marginalized and worthless are his favorites and become his people. God cares for the shamed. Through Jesus you are covered, adopted, cleansed, and healed." (From the New Growth Press Website)

About the Author: Edward T. Welch, M.Div., Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He has counseled for over twenty-five years and has written many books including When People Are Big and God Is Small; Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave; Depression: A Stubborn Darkness; Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction; Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest; and When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety.

My Thoughts About the Book: I have enjoyed every book Dr. Edward Welch has written and Shame Interrupted is no exception. In his book Dr. Welch takes a long hard look at shame and just how devastating it is in the lives of people. Dr. Welch gets it. He has a grasp of the human dilemma struggling with the myriad of emotions and feelings that we do because of our feeling of shame...of worthlessness...the fact that we are deeply broken and can not fix ourselves in our human condition on our own. And ever since Adam and Eve we have been doing everything we can to try and cover our shame or to run from our shame or deal with it in any number of ways but all to no avail. We are only setting ourselves up to fail because God has created it to be thus which is a wonderful thing because it is our failure that drives many of us to the same person and place that Dr. Welch does in his book. And that is to the person of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Welch rightly informs us in his book that Jesus hung out with the sinners of society - the people that society had abandoned and left to sorrow in their shame. But as Dr. Welch reveals in his book Jesus not only hung out with the sinners but he saved, delivered and healed many of them - not only of their physical afflictions or demon possession but also of their shame and guilt. And he also refers to the Pauline writings for further clarification on the issue of shame and guilt and what we are to do with it. We are to recognize who we are as individuals living as people in this sinful fallen world so we are weak and we do have weaknesses, but, we are also in Christ, chosen and beloved by the Father and Son and that is cause to celebrate. It is a very unique challenge we face as believers recognizing our total and utter depravity and the reason for our shame and guilt but yet to realize that we are "chosen by God and beloved by him," with out sins forgiven and our shame and guilt carried away from us as far as the east is from the west.

Although Dr. Welch is a practicing psychologist counseling people in a Bible-Based clinical setting, his book is not a cold, factual look at clinical facts concerning shame and guilt and its effects on us as people. No, his book is a very balanced and loving look at the issue of shame and how we as believers can live free from it if we will but follow Christ and obey his Word doing His will.

If you suffer from shame and guilt for years as I did, you want to read this book and do as Dr. Welch suggests because in so doing God will take away the guilt and the shame you are feeling and replace it with feelings of hope and joy. It is possible. The Bible says it's so and Dr. Welch does as well in his book and I just happen to agree with both.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book at no cost from the New Growth Press for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." (less)

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Jun 26, 2012 Brandi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I don’t review many non-fiction books. Not because I don’t like them or because I don’t read them. It is because they take me so much longer to read and ponder my thoughts before I put them on paper.

Shame Interrupted took me an extra amount of time. I found myself reading a portion and then needing to put the book down and spend some time thinking and absorbing what I had just ingested. My copy of the book is so marked up and filled with sticky notes that I’m going to have to buy other copies t...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Sunflower rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-book-reviews, first-wild-card-tour

Feel trapped by your life's circumstances?

Wished you had a perfect white picket fence life?

Truth is that many people don't have those perfect lives and reading the bible, we see that following and having faith in God, isn't about having a perfect life, but instead, we see both in the Old and New Testament, a reminder of how imperfect and broken people we all are, with stories that some of us may never be aware of, and yet, what God shows, is that He doesn't look for perfection and instead shows...more Feel trapped by your life's circumstances?

Wished you had a perfect white picket fence life?

Truth is that many people don't have those perfect lives and reading the bible, we see that following and having faith in God, isn't about having a perfect life, but instead, we see both in the Old and New Testament, a reminder of how imperfect and broken people we all are, with stories that some of us may never be aware of, and yet, what God shows, is that He doesn't look for perfection and instead shows over and over that no matter what our backstory is, we can be used for His glory and we can move beyond what we feel are anchors in our lives.

Look at the story we all know, Adam and Eve....look at Noah's drunkenness, look at Moses self doubt, the bible is filled with imperfect, people who made bad choices and yet God showed that we are still worthy in His eyes and possible to be used.

Maybe not for greatness that will be celebrated (in a good way), on the front page news, and as much as we live in a society that expects the worse from everybody and holds their past in forever condemnation, God doesn't and in, "Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection " by Edward T. Welch, the reader is guided to see how they don't have to feel bounded by whatever chains they carry with them through life, but instead can find, hope, redemption and freedom.

As shared by the publisher,"Welch guides readers on a journey through Scripture to discover the one enduring remedy for shame: the blood of Christ. By bringing shame into the light, where it can be addressed by the Bible, Welch helps readers to understand and receive the acceptance of God in Christ and experience the relief that comes with freedom from shame."

"Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection " does exactly that and this doesn't promise to be a, "read this book and overnight be free" but rather...read this book and take those steps needed,to fully and truly, through Christ, move forward, not backward or chained to the past.

Well written, freeing and compassionate, "Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection " is a great book for those who struggled with feelings of shame and worthlessness.
(less)

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Jun 13, 2012 Josh Morgan rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café (jacobscafe.blogspot.com).

Shame is something that is discussed in a therapeutic context frequently because of its constant presence in the lives of those who seek therapy. I've written about shame before, differentiating it from guilt as the latter saying, "I did bad" while shame says, "I am bad." Shame pervades people's identities, creating a sense of worthlessness and rejection.

In Shame Interrupted, Ed Welch, a psychologist, addresses the top...more This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café (jacobscafe.blogspot.com).

Shame is something that is discussed in a therapeutic context frequently because of its constant presence in the lives of those who seek therapy. I've written about shame before, differentiating it from guilt as the latter saying, "I did bad" while shame says, "I am bad." Shame pervades people's identities, creating a sense of worthlessness and rejection.

In Shame Interrupted, Ed Welch, a psychologist, addresses the topic of shame head-on. The first few chapters paint a very real and in-depth picture of the potency of shame and its effects in daily life. Welch then proceeds to illustrate the history of shame throughout the Bible.

I was very impressed with Welch's psychological and theological treatment of such a sensitive, hidden, and pervasive topic. He brings to life the impact of shame and the power of Christ over shame. However, he doesn't argue for a simple, "Have faith, and you'll be healed approach." Rather, he actually stated, "The most promising response is that Jesus loves you, which is certainly true. But, believe it or not, that usually doesn't work either" (p. 61). Earlier on, he explains why recognizing Christ's love doesn't instantly heal shame: "When you receive such reproach from the community, you can easily believe that God himself joins these many voices, though he certainly does not" (p. 21).

Many Christians minimize the impact they have on people's perceptions of God, good and bad. However, our interactions with others can become the foundations of people's experiences of God. We literally need to be the hands and feet of Jesus, incarnating God's love to those around us.

While there were times when Welch said it was appropriate to feel shame (I'm not sure I agree--I think it's normal, but not really accurate), he also made it clear that these messages are not from God. God does not shame. Many Christians need to hear this message and remember that shame is not a motivator and does not lead people to God. Rather, it leads them to hiding (remember Adam and Eve?). Ironically, one of the most shame-enhancing pastors in the US, Mark Driscoll, endorsed this book.

Shame Interrupted reminded me of Bruce Narramore's No Condemnation, which addresses a similar concept, arguing that God never condemns people, but seeks restoration from human-made condemnation. However, Narramore's tome was more of an academic text. Welch's book stands up to strong academic scrutiny, but is more of a popular press book, making it far more accessible to the general population, which is really needed.

If you're interested in the topic of shame, this is a good introduction to understanding its power and pervasiveness. It doesn't provide strong solutions, but there are a variety of psychological texts that address the treatment of shame. I think one of the most powerful and important parts of this book is not minimizing the potency of shame and recognizing that its resolution is not simple.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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May 18, 2012 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts The Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection is a very valuable resource for the church. As Welch writes, he is very deliberate in his presentation of the gospel as the only hope in the relief of the pain of shame and guilt. I appreciate the frequent true-to-life illustrations of people struggling with shame as they demonstrate the wisdom of his many years of counselling. Not only is this helpful for the reader to know that they are not alone, it also helps a pastor i...more Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts The Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection is a very valuable resource for the church. As Welch writes, he is very deliberate in his presentation of the gospel as the only hope in the relief of the pain of shame and guilt. I appreciate the frequent true-to-life illustrations of people struggling with shame as they demonstrate the wisdom of his many years of counselling. Not only is this helpful for the reader to know that they are not alone, it also helps a pastor identify with people in the pew who may not want to admit their struggle. For those of us who have had less of a struggle, they give insight into the lives of those who do struggle with guilt and shame so we can be sympathetic and compassionate.

One caveat: being a credo-baptist, I found his discussion of baptism as a means for assurance challenging to my belief set and personal experience. I understand the value of having baptism as a reminder of the reality of your conversion (p. 211); however, to rely on a memory of the past is risky. For those of us who have written their conversion date in their Bibles, we know that if we are not careful, we will take comfort in the past and keep looking at the past, so as not to live by faith in what Christ did and continues to do for us moment by moment. Welch's chapter on the sacraments (pp. 239-244) made me a bit nervous as a credo-baptist, too. I understand Welch's desire not to make baptism a controversial issue and avoid unnecessarily offending a wounded conscience, and I did appreciate the discussion of the Lord's supper. The strong points of the book more than outweigh these minor objections.

I really appreciate how Welch talks through the significant aspects of the OT law as pointing out our uncleanness as people and the necessity of Christ to cover us and make us clean. This book is a practical primer for people wanting to know how to use the gospel and Scripture to counsel people who struggle with shame and guilt. Welch's book should be on your shelf and at your fingertips.(less)

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May 24, 2012 Sam rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Shame Interrupted is one of the most impacting books I have ever read. Ed Welch accurately and wisely digs deep into the battle with shame presenting the truth of the Bible as the guide.

My mind and heart are full after reading this. God's love and "nearness" is more tangible and real to me now. I see hope in specific Scripture passages such as 1 Peter 2:9-10 and Phillippians 3. I understand how God has turned towards me and I must daily turn towards Him bringing nothing. His work of removing my...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Mercedes Cordero rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: counseling

Through this book, Mr. Welch will help you dig deep, deeper, and deepest into your heart and soul to unearth the shame that’s hiding there, so that you may be able to acknowledge it, describe it, and confront it the right way. Just as the author wishes, this book is a safe place where you can identify shame, acknowledge it in your life and bring hope to it by receiving comforting words from God.

At first, it feels as if the author spends too much time describing and identifying shame, but I beli...more

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May 31, 2012 Audrey Grant rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, won

This book is hard to describe...It was, and is, the book I needed. I have lived with shame of many kinds that this book talks about for many years. Some since I was a young girl, some through my entire adult life.
The wonderful thing this book helped me with, (and will continue to do so, because for me this will be an ongoing process and I am going to have to read it over and over)is understanding that I have been living with two kinds of shame. Shame from what others have done and Shame at myse...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Dave Jenkins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shame and guilt controlled much of my life from my teenage years up until my late twenties. Even today, I still struggle some with shame and feelings of guilt. Shame controls many people with feelings of worthlessness, inferiority, rejection, weakness, and failure. It causes people to run away and hide rather than to come out into the Light of Jesus Christ. Understanding how Jesus took our shame and guilt through the Cross and rose again to new life is vital to overcoming feelings of shame and g...more Shame and guilt controlled much of my life from my teenage years up until my late twenties. Even today, I still struggle some with shame and feelings of guilt. Shame controls many people with feelings of worthlessness, inferiority, rejection, weakness, and failure. It causes people to run away and hide rather than to come out into the Light of Jesus Christ. Understanding how Jesus took our shame and guilt through the Cross and rose again to new life is vital to overcoming feelings of shame and guilt, because only in preaching the right Gospel message to ourselves will one ever overcome feelings of shame and guilt. In his new book Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts The Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection Dr. Ed Welch writes to help his readers to look at Jesus through the lens of shame and see how the marginalized and worthless are His favorites and become His people. God cares for the one struggling with shame, and through Jesus you can be covered, adopted, cleansed and healed.

This book looks at shame in four ways; first, shame uncovered, second, shame before Christ, shame, honor and Jesus, and honor after Jesus. By taking this approach the author very deliberately chooses to walk through what the Bible from Genesis to Revelation teaches about shame in order to help his readers understand not only what Scriptures teaches but also how to apply what the Bible teaches about Jesus to our lives.

Reading this book requires that one put it down after only reading parts of it. The author writes in very accessible style, but the content is heavy and makes you really examine yourself in light of Christ. A good book should make you think, but a great book will not only make you think but also change the way you think. Dr. Welch’s book is a great book that not only will make you think, but also change the way you think about shame from the Bible. While many today feel a crushing sense of not being good enough—worthy of only feeling worthless the rest of their lives and Dr. Ed Welch calls us out of this mindset and into the biblical truth that God created us in His image and likeness by coming on a rescue mission to redeem us and reconcile us to the King Jesus who makes all things new—taking our hearts of stone and making us new creations in Him with new desires and new affections all for His glory.

Shame Interrupted is the kind of book I wish I had read sooner, but I’m glad I've read now as its helped me to understand why I struggle with shame, and why I need to look all the more to Christ. If you're struggling with shame, guilt, feelings of worthless, rejection or anything of the like, I recommend you read this book as it will help you to cling to Christ, abide in Christ and run into the arms of your Savior in Jesus who longs to bring healing to your brokenness through His Cross, burial and resurrection. In addition to this, Shame Interrupted will also help you to grow in confidence in the cleansing, adoption and sanctifying work of the Cross.

Title: Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection

Author: Edward Welch

Publisher: New Growth Press (2012)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the New Growth Press book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Nov 14, 2012 Jkanz rated it 5 of 5 stars

A few days ago, I expressed my consternation at people who capriciously assign five star ratings to mediocre books. Upon finishing Shame Interrupted by Ed Welch, I initially felt a little ashamed at wanting to assign it a five, but I really think everyone should read this book. Welch tackles the issue of shame, which is pervasive in the world and in the church. Welch walks the reader through the origins of shame and a gospel response. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

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Oct 23, 2012 Josh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: practical-theology, pastoral-counseling

Excellent book. Welch treats the distinction between guilt before God and a sense of shame before God and others, then shows how the gospel addresses the latter problem. This was helpful personally, will help my counseling, and gives me new categories to consider when it comes to preaching to specific struggles.

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May 13, 2013 Mike rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: counseling

Great book. It talks about a topic that no one writes about--Shame. There isn't even anything in the theology books about shame, though it is all over the Bible. It also comes up in my counseling all the time and is at the heart of many many problems people have with living.

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Aug 04, 2012 Mark rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Biblical counseling movement is an excellent way to understand your own heart and underlying motivations. It is the Gospel applied to real life. Read all of it you can, and apply it to yourself first, and then to others around you. We all need it.

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Mar 15, 2013 Christine rated it 2 of 5 stars

I couldn't finish this book. I gave it 100 pages, but can't go on. I felt heavy, not hopeful when reading it. I can't imagine using it with anyone. There are other books out there that can come at shame from a biblical perspective.

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Dec 17, 2012 Julie Biles rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shame is pervasive and crippling. Though it may not be recognized or identified as the cause of feelings of isolation, victimization, loneliness, marginalization, or even hopelessness, it is there, often at the root. The Bible addresses shame from the beginning to the end and Christ is the answer, God cares for the shamed and gave His Son to take it away and replace it with honor.
The reason I did not rate this with 5 stars is because I found it a bit long, repetitive and difficult to finish. Bu...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Eric Molicki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: theology

Written in a clear and easy style that makes accessible and approachable the emotional challenge of how the gospel redeems shame in all its forms. Ed does a great job showing the difference between guilt and shame and how the grace of Christ rescues us from both. Those who have been victimized need to pick this up and eat this book. Those who live honestly facing their brokenness would do well to spend time prayerfully studying their way through this book to a life-changing honor and hope and Ch...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Marcia Vandenbos rated it 5 of 5 stars

Are you struggling with depression, or feelings of shame and guilt? I would really encourage you to read this book and work through it, reflecting on who you are and what God has done. A wonderful book!!!

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Dec 24, 2012 Shari rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent book! It defined shame in a way I have never thought of and then proceeded to kill it through what Jesus has done on the cross.

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Jul 04, 2012 Loni rated it 5 of 5 stars

EXCELLENT book . . . highly recommend.

My full review is here:

http://wp.me/p97XK-3Zb

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May 05, 2013 Mike Mathews rated it 5 of 5 stars

A must read for any counselor or leader. Sound and deeply insightful

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Feb 20, 2013 Matt Mitchell rated it 5 of 5 stars

I felt dirty when I read this book. And then I felt cleansed. Ed Welch takes readers into the disgusting depths of the experience of shame and then brings them up and out of it via the ever-startling story of the gospel of Jesus Christ--who was shamed for our sake. Shame Interruptedis the only book of its kind and is worth reading for your own soul and for ministering to anyone who knows the horror of shame.

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Apr 13, 2012 Margaret marked it as to-read

Shelves: new-growth-press, firstwild, april-2012

Tour Date: May 21

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Jun 01, 2012 Paula Wiseman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-nonfiction, depression, 2012

I love Dr. Welch's books and this one is powerful, simply-stated and life-changing. He demonstrates that shame touches us all, whether it comes from our own actions our acts committed against us. But there is also hope and healing from the King who was touched by our infirmities. Read it slowly and give it time to soak in.

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Dec 05, 2012 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent book to help anyone who struggles with guilt or shame to move them into the embrace of Christ's embrace. Seems a little slow in the middle but if you are that person that struggles under the weight of old shame the author is giving you time to really hear what is being offered and to catch up.

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Nov 17, 2012 Alisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very good treatment of Shame and how it impacts and cripples people and how one can overcome its grip. A little plodding and repetitious at times, but Welch's audience is broad and so I understand his desire to lay a good groundwork for those less familiar with some concepts. Helpful.

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Jan 05, 2013 Miriam rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: faith-life, favorites, counseling

Everyone should read this book. EVERYONE.

Not enough has been said on the topic of shame, especially not in the Christian community. I'm so thankful to Ed Welch for writing this compassionate, hope-filled, and practical book.

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May 21, 2013 Jennifer Sjoblom marked it as to-read

May 20, 2013 Stephanie marked it as to-read

May 19, 2013 Scott Sjoblom is currently reading it

May 16, 2013 Heather Michael mcdonald marked it as to-read

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