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Not all sadness is a sin

by Jessica Lietz

February 13, 2012

@jessica_lietz

Fierce Beauty: Choosing to Stand for What Matters Most by Kim Meeder is a book for women looking to enhance their relationship with God in the face of difficult situations.

Ms. Meeder begins this book with the difficult story of her own past and the murder-suicide of her own parents. She continues to share personal stories and how she struggled with self acceptance and knowing God.

The premise of this book is making the choice between serving yourself or serving God. Instead of serving your own ambitions and desires, Meeder encourages the reader to encourage others and live a life of service. In this way, Meeder argues that the reader will live a life of joy, value and fulfillment.

What I enjoyed about the book was the incredible imagery of Ms. Meeder's words. What I did not like, however, is that Meeder makes it out like every non-positive emotion is the direct result of sin. Really? Sadness is because of sin? Anger is sin? Sin plays a role in many negative feelings, such as guilt and remorse, but not everything we feel is because we have sinned. By promoting the idea that negative feeling = sin, this can turn people away from the idea of a loving God.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Multnomah in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion here is my own.