I'll start with the positives. I really liked the variety of issues discussed in Becoming Myself. There are many personal stories and examples used that women can relate to. One topic that I found unique is the discussion on hormones. Looking at the different cycles and how they affect our emotions was very eye-opening for me. The chapter on friendships was also fresh and insightful - developing realistic expectations is so important! I can envision using these chapters to springboard discussions in a women's group. Discussion questions are not included in this book, but would make a good addition.
The one thing that made me uncomfortable was the discussion on spirits and soul ties. The idea is that you can create an unholy bond with another person that can "form a kind of spiritual walkway over which another person's warfare travels to you." Even with the explanations given in the book, I'm still not convinced that this is biblical. However, I'm not going to allow one questionable idea to take away from my opinion of the book as a whole.
So how do we find the freedom to become ourselves? I think it's best put this way: "Most of us are probably still laboring under the impression that freedom comes first in our circumstances, and then we can experience love, joy, peace, patience, and all the other wonderful fruit of the Spirit. Not so. God usually begins first with the transformation of our attitudes; then he can change our circumstance." This book can help you to clear your vision and adjust your attitudes so that you can become all you were meant to be.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from David Cook Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
