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Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely
"Rejection steals the best of who I am by reinforcing the worst of what's been said to me."
The enemy wants us to feel rejected . . . left out, lonely, and less than.
In Uninvited, Lysa shares her own deeply personal experiences of rejection—from the perceived judgment of the perfectly toned woman one elliptical over to the incredibly painful childhood abandonment by her father. She leans in to honestly examine the roots of rejection, as well as rejection's ability to poison relationships from the inside out, including our relationship with God.
With biblical depth, gut-honest vulnerability, and refreshing wit, Lysa will help you:
• Stop feeling left out by believing that even when you are overlooked by others you are handpicked by God.
• Change your tendency to either fall apart or control the actions of others by embracing God-honoring ways to process your hurt.
• Know exactly what to pray for the next ten days to steady your soul and restore your confidence in the midst of rejection.
• Overcome the two core fears that feed your insecurities by understanding the secret of belonging.
Uninvited reminds us we are destined for a love that can never be diminished, tarnished, shaken, or taken—a love that does not reject or uninvite.
The enemy wants us to feel rejected . . . left out, lonely, and less than.
In Uninvited, Lysa shares her own deeply personal experiences of rejection—from the perceived judgment of the perfectly toned woman one elliptical over to the incredibly painful childhood abandonment by her father. She leans in to honestly examine the roots of rejection, as well as rejection's ability to poison relationships from the inside out, including our relationship with God.
With biblical depth, gut-honest vulnerability, and refreshing wit, Lysa will help you:
• Stop feeling left out by believing that even when you are overlooked by others you are handpicked by God.
• Change your tendency to either fall apart or control the actions of others by embracing God-honoring ways to process your hurt.
• Know exactly what to pray for the next ten days to steady your soul and restore your confidence in the midst of rejection.
• Overcome the two core fears that feed your insecurities by understanding the secret of belonging.
Uninvited reminds us we are destined for a love that can never be diminished, tarnished, shaken, or taken—a love that does not reject or uninvite.
275 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2016
7572 people are currently reading
43738 people want to read
About the author
Lysa TerKeurst
143 books31.5k followersLysa TerKeurst is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the New York Times best-selling author of Univited, The Best Yes, Unglued, Made to Crave, and 18 other books. Her newest book, It’s Not Supposed to be This Way, is scheduled for release in November of 2018. Lysa was recently awarded the Champions of Faith Author Award and has been published in multiple publications such as CNN and Fox News online. Additionally, she has appeared on the Today Show as one of the leading voices in the Christian community.
Each year, Lysa is a featured keynote presenter at more than 40 events across North America, including the Women of Joy Conferences and the Catalyst Leadership Conference. She has a passion for equipping women to share their stories for God's glory through Proverbs 31 Ministries' annual She Speaks Conference and writer training program, COMPEL: Words That Move People.
Connect with Lysa on social media @lysaterkeurst or at http://lysaterkeurst.com/.
Each year, Lysa is a featured keynote presenter at more than 40 events across North America, including the Women of Joy Conferences and the Catalyst Leadership Conference. She has a passion for equipping women to share their stories for God's glory through Proverbs 31 Ministries' annual She Speaks Conference and writer training program, COMPEL: Words That Move People.
Connect with Lysa on social media @lysaterkeurst or at http://lysaterkeurst.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,623 reviews
March 27, 2022
This book was a little unfocused. It seemed to touch on every topic and yet not really say anything. To sum it up, "God loves you, so you should live your life feeling loved. If you don't feel loved, that's a problem. The solution? Know that God loves you." Which isn't wrong - it's just incredibly simplistic and not overly helpful.
TerKeurst also took a few verses out of context and read into Bible stories a bit more than I believe is wise. There were a few good nuggets, but nothing that I haven't seen elsewhere, so I wouldn't recommend slogging through this book to find them.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
TerKeurst also took a few verses out of context and read into Bible stories a bit more than I believe is wise. There were a few good nuggets, but nothing that I haven't seen elsewhere, so I wouldn't recommend slogging through this book to find them.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
October 22, 2016
2/5 stars.
So, I'm just going to go ahead and give you the bottom line right from the start - I was rather disappointed in this book.
I read The Best Yes by Lysa Terkheurst a while ago, and I really found it helpful, so I thought I'd pick up her new book. I generally think that Terkheurst is a good writer, but this book really fell flat for me, I think for a few reasons.
1. This was not a great time in my life to read this book. I was trying to remember my own past rejections as I read, and trying to evaluate whether the book would have been helpful to me in those times when I was feeling rejected in the past, or when I face it again in the future...but I really didn't get much out of it. I can't tell if this is because the book really wasn't as helpful as it should have been, or if it was just that I am not currently feeling rejected which might make it hard to relate to what she was saying.
2. The book didn't seem focused. I felt like she was trying to be too broad with the subject of this book. Feeling "unloved","less than", "left out", and "lonely" are pretty different problems in my opinion, each of which probably deserves it's own book. There are different types of rejection, and I felt like she lumped them all together and tried to address them all at once. I think we would have been better served as readers if she broke it down a little more clearly.
I probably should have just known she was going to try to tackle all this from the subtitle of the book, but I went into this book thinking the topic was "rejection" because I heard Terkheurst speak about it before I picked it up. However, I kept losing track of what we were even talking about, and I had to remind myself that "Oh yeah, this book is about rejection". As a reader, I find it annoying when I keep having to remind myself what the author is talking about. It felt all-over-the-place to me, and I felt she was really stretching trying to make some of these topics fit under the umbrella of "rejection". It wasn't what I expected.
3. I was frustrated at how she used Scripture in some places in this book. To clarify, I did like a lot of the verses she included and thought they could be helpful, so I'm not picking on every Scripture use in this book. But there were a few places where I just thought "huh?".
For instance, she has a chapter about abundance and scarcity - I've heard her speak on this before, and it is an interesting psychological concept, but she explained it poorly and over-spiritualized it. She included a quote that referenced the story of Joseph and the famine in the Bible - and the quote implied that there was abundance in all the world before this (not true - there were at least a couple famines before Joseph - Genesis 26:1), and then blamed all the scarcity in the land on Pharaoh, which isn't an accurate representation of what happened at all.
In another chapter she writes about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, but she talks about how Jesus was feeling rejected at this time - and I don't know where she is getting that. While I like the idea of applying Scripture when we are feeling rejected, it was a stretch to use that story to illustrate her point. The passage is talking about temptation, not rejection.
Another example is when she is using the olive tree as an illustration in Chapter 15, talking about being "crushed" and how God can use that to bring about good in our lives - but then she includes 2 Corinthians 4:8 which says we are pressed, but not crushed. Following that is a confusing monologue about being crushed, but at the same time we're not crushed, and I honestly had no idea what she was trying to say anymore. The whole thing was self-contradictory.
And somewhat related, she also used the words "revelation" and "divine insights" in a few places where she was really talking about her own insights, and I didn't like that. The Bible is our revelation from God and the only writing that is "divinely inspired".
4. Too much "romantic" spiritual language. This is a personal pet peeve, but I get tired of the romantic analogies of our relationship with Jesus. Jesus is our God, not our boyfriend. To reduce our speech about him to romantic terms takes away some of the power of the fact that we are loved and valued by the Creator of the Universe.
So, for something positive - Terkheurst's writing is engaging, which is always a plus, and her personal stories really add color to her topics. This book missed the mark for me, but I wouldn't say I didn't enjoy it at all.
Overall, I know what she was trying to do in this book, but it felt like "too much bread, not enough butter" - ie. she was stretching too much out of her topic, and definitely stretching with some of her Scripture applications. Use discernment with her Scripture applications if you do read this one, but I don't know, I wouldn't say I recommend this book, and honestly, I don't know if I'll pick up another book by Terkheurst. She lost some of my trust with point #3.
Note: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for a review. This is my honest opinion.
So, I'm just going to go ahead and give you the bottom line right from the start - I was rather disappointed in this book.
I read The Best Yes by Lysa Terkheurst a while ago, and I really found it helpful, so I thought I'd pick up her new book. I generally think that Terkheurst is a good writer, but this book really fell flat for me, I think for a few reasons.
1. This was not a great time in my life to read this book. I was trying to remember my own past rejections as I read, and trying to evaluate whether the book would have been helpful to me in those times when I was feeling rejected in the past, or when I face it again in the future...but I really didn't get much out of it. I can't tell if this is because the book really wasn't as helpful as it should have been, or if it was just that I am not currently feeling rejected which might make it hard to relate to what she was saying.
2. The book didn't seem focused. I felt like she was trying to be too broad with the subject of this book. Feeling "unloved","less than", "left out", and "lonely" are pretty different problems in my opinion, each of which probably deserves it's own book. There are different types of rejection, and I felt like she lumped them all together and tried to address them all at once. I think we would have been better served as readers if she broke it down a little more clearly.
I probably should have just known she was going to try to tackle all this from the subtitle of the book, but I went into this book thinking the topic was "rejection" because I heard Terkheurst speak about it before I picked it up. However, I kept losing track of what we were even talking about, and I had to remind myself that "Oh yeah, this book is about rejection". As a reader, I find it annoying when I keep having to remind myself what the author is talking about. It felt all-over-the-place to me, and I felt she was really stretching trying to make some of these topics fit under the umbrella of "rejection". It wasn't what I expected.
3. I was frustrated at how she used Scripture in some places in this book. To clarify, I did like a lot of the verses she included and thought they could be helpful, so I'm not picking on every Scripture use in this book. But there were a few places where I just thought "huh?".
For instance, she has a chapter about abundance and scarcity - I've heard her speak on this before, and it is an interesting psychological concept, but she explained it poorly and over-spiritualized it. She included a quote that referenced the story of Joseph and the famine in the Bible - and the quote implied that there was abundance in all the world before this (not true - there were at least a couple famines before Joseph - Genesis 26:1), and then blamed all the scarcity in the land on Pharaoh, which isn't an accurate representation of what happened at all.
In another chapter she writes about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, but she talks about how Jesus was feeling rejected at this time - and I don't know where she is getting that. While I like the idea of applying Scripture when we are feeling rejected, it was a stretch to use that story to illustrate her point. The passage is talking about temptation, not rejection.
Another example is when she is using the olive tree as an illustration in Chapter 15, talking about being "crushed" and how God can use that to bring about good in our lives - but then she includes 2 Corinthians 4:8 which says we are pressed, but not crushed. Following that is a confusing monologue about being crushed, but at the same time we're not crushed, and I honestly had no idea what she was trying to say anymore. The whole thing was self-contradictory.
And somewhat related, she also used the words "revelation" and "divine insights" in a few places where she was really talking about her own insights, and I didn't like that. The Bible is our revelation from God and the only writing that is "divinely inspired".
4. Too much "romantic" spiritual language. This is a personal pet peeve, but I get tired of the romantic analogies of our relationship with Jesus. Jesus is our God, not our boyfriend. To reduce our speech about him to romantic terms takes away some of the power of the fact that we are loved and valued by the Creator of the Universe.
So, for something positive - Terkheurst's writing is engaging, which is always a plus, and her personal stories really add color to her topics. This book missed the mark for me, but I wouldn't say I didn't enjoy it at all.
Overall, I know what she was trying to do in this book, but it felt like "too much bread, not enough butter" - ie. she was stretching too much out of her topic, and definitely stretching with some of her Scripture applications. Use discernment with her Scripture applications if you do read this one, but I don't know, I wouldn't say I recommend this book, and honestly, I don't know if I'll pick up another book by Terkheurst. She lost some of my trust with point #3.
Note: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for a review. This is my honest opinion.
September 14, 2016
Oh my stars.
I wish I could have had this book a couple years ago. It would have saved me so much hurt. But I didn't, and that's okay. God brought me through and helped me work through it. In her book, Mrs. TerKeurst walks through how to overcome the pain of past or present rejection, and how to in turn live loved. If you've ever tasted that bitter sting of being rejected, I strongly recommend you pick this book up. As she points out, not tending to these wounds just allow a seed of bitterness to grow in your heart. You need to quit ignoring the problem and address it, and Mrs. TerKeurst helps you do just that.
Now, this book will not replace going to a counselor if that is what you need. But it has helped me in so many ways. Mrs. TerKeurst writes in such a relatable fashion, she shares her heart and her struggles. She reminded me that I wasn't alone. And that I wasn't the only one who had ever felt this way. She was encouraging and uplifting. I thought I would have gotten this review up sooner, except I had to keep going back and re-read chapters. This isn't some casual afternoon read, this book provokes thought and requires time to soak it all in. I could barely make it through a couple chapters at a time. Normally, that would be a bad thing but not this time!
I have faced a lot of rejection this year. Maybe now that the wounds have started to heal I'll write about it. But until then, I can't recommend this book enough. If you're hurting, at least use this book as a starting place. Spend time in the scriptures she lists, and definitely pray. God will work wonders on your heart through Mrs. TerKeurst, if you'll let Him. He did just that for me!
Thank you, Lysa, for being bold enough to write this book. I can't thank you enough!
I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!
I wish I could have had this book a couple years ago. It would have saved me so much hurt. But I didn't, and that's okay. God brought me through and helped me work through it. In her book, Mrs. TerKeurst walks through how to overcome the pain of past or present rejection, and how to in turn live loved. If you've ever tasted that bitter sting of being rejected, I strongly recommend you pick this book up. As she points out, not tending to these wounds just allow a seed of bitterness to grow in your heart. You need to quit ignoring the problem and address it, and Mrs. TerKeurst helps you do just that.
Now, this book will not replace going to a counselor if that is what you need. But it has helped me in so many ways. Mrs. TerKeurst writes in such a relatable fashion, she shares her heart and her struggles. She reminded me that I wasn't alone. And that I wasn't the only one who had ever felt this way. She was encouraging and uplifting. I thought I would have gotten this review up sooner, except I had to keep going back and re-read chapters. This isn't some casual afternoon read, this book provokes thought and requires time to soak it all in. I could barely make it through a couple chapters at a time. Normally, that would be a bad thing but not this time!
I have faced a lot of rejection this year. Maybe now that the wounds have started to heal I'll write about it. But until then, I can't recommend this book enough. If you're hurting, at least use this book as a starting place. Spend time in the scriptures she lists, and definitely pray. God will work wonders on your heart through Mrs. TerKeurst, if you'll let Him. He did just that for me!
Thank you, Lysa, for being bold enough to write this book. I can't thank you enough!
I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!
October 30, 2016
This is not a Gospel driven book. Many Christian women authors today seem to want to use our depravity to make sure we know we're not alone and almost make us feel okay about our feelings, however ungodly they may be. This book is no exception to that. While there were a few chapters that spoke to me, by the end, I just wanted so badly for her to use my sinfulness, my depravity, my "lonely, left out feelings" to remind me of why I need Christ and drive me toward self-forgetfulness and gospel centeredness. Instead, she tries to comfort the sinner in their sin, adding to the self-focus that's already rampant among Christian women in our present day.
August 16, 2016
Just What I needed
This book touched me so personally that I am in tears. It was like the author was speaking directly to me.
This book touched me so personally that I am in tears. It was like the author was speaking directly to me.
October 13, 2016
This is one of those "highlight every other sentence and re-read every month" type books. I think everyone who has ever walked the earth has dealt with rejection in one form or another. Rejection can be devastating and crippling. It is so easy to be consumed by it, to allow it to change who we are and what we think about ourselves. I am a big fan of Lysa's but the way she walks through this book and how to process and grow from rejection is beautiful. I highly recommend this book for everyone.
September 16, 2016
I skipped many paragraphs. Her writing style doesn't captivate me and to be honest, her experience of being rejected didn't compare to the depths of what many of us experience. I appreciate the concept, though. But I was disappointed. This is the third book of hers that I have read and haven't been captivated. I think the cover art was pretty and the title and subject matter is what made we want to read it.
April 22, 2017
This book was great. I'd never heard of it but stumbled across it on display at the bookstore. Parts of it were incredibly relatable for me - some very familiar feelings and actions. It gave me a lot to think about.
October 20, 2016
My feelings about Uninvited can best be summed up with a dispassionate "meh, it was alright." Lysa TerKeurst's writing style didn't do much for me and the chapters felt a little disjointed and unfocused. I did like the overall message the book was trying to convey, but the way that message was flushed out was disappointing and, if I'm being totally honest, forgettable. This isn't a book that will stay with me or that I'll refer back to in years to come. Judging from the glowing reviews here on GoodReads, I'm obviously in the minority with my opinion and that's okay. Hopefully this book speaks to others more than it did to me.
November 9, 2016
If you have ever felt rejected, left out, cast aside or even simply feel unloved at times, this book will have something that will help you feel loved and will help your emotional pain heal as you learn to accept God's love for you and his forgiveness. This was an easy read and I loved how organized the book was. I would recommend buying the hardcopy because at the end of the book, Lysa listed all of the important bible verses that were used in each chapter and also made another section that listed the special quotes and thoughts that read like medicine to ones weary soul.
February 27, 2024
The positive reviews led me to this book. I was very excited. This is the first time I've ever read a Lysa Terkeurst book, and I would like to try other work by her.
For the first few chapters, I was very drawn in to this read. After a while, though, it seemed like something was missing. The book feels a little jumpy, going from one topic to the next. There were times when I would have liked the author to continue with something but she did not. Some of the examples are hard to relate to as well.
In addition, I didn’t agree with the author's interpretation of a part in the Bible involving Abigail and King David.
The answer to every issue in Uninvited: sin, emotion, failing, a bad attitude, bad behavior, etc. is consistently to live loved, for the Christian to remember that God loves them. How can one struggling with jealousy from always being left out, or bitterness from years of bad treatment or perceived bad treatment, ever realize that the way to heal is to first admit that bitterness, jealousy, etc. are sins and seek God's forgiveness? The Bible says “the greatest of these is love.” Since reading this book years back, I’m revisiting this review and wondering about it. Living loved is crucial and loving others is key. I just felt like there was an imbalance in this read and was hoping for more.
For the first few chapters, I was very drawn in to this read. After a while, though, it seemed like something was missing. The book feels a little jumpy, going from one topic to the next. There were times when I would have liked the author to continue with something but she did not. Some of the examples are hard to relate to as well.
In addition, I didn’t agree with the author's interpretation of a part in the Bible involving Abigail and King David.
The answer to every issue in Uninvited: sin, emotion, failing, a bad attitude, bad behavior, etc. is consistently to live loved, for the Christian to remember that God loves them. How can one struggling with jealousy from always being left out, or bitterness from years of bad treatment or perceived bad treatment, ever realize that the way to heal is to first admit that bitterness, jealousy, etc. are sins and seek God's forgiveness? The Bible says “the greatest of these is love.” Since reading this book years back, I’m revisiting this review and wondering about it. Living loved is crucial and loving others is key. I just felt like there was an imbalance in this read and was hoping for more.
March 5, 2017
If you have ever felt rejected, I would recommend this book. I've been dealing with feeling left out, duped, and, well, uninvited lately. This book was a good reminder that a lot of the feelings we deal with right now are tied to things that happened in the past, and that God never rejects us. I plan on buying my own copy so I can highlight and mark it up good.
April 18, 2019
Skip it
There were some good things in this book. There really were. But my overall takeaway is that this writer seems awfully petty and fixated on herself much of the time. Another sticking point for me is that she seems to believe God speaks to her personally. Scripture doesn't support that. Looking into her church, pastor, and theology, I'd suggest to proceed with discernment. Test the spirits.
There were some good things in this book. There really were. But my overall takeaway is that this writer seems awfully petty and fixated on herself much of the time. Another sticking point for me is that she seems to believe God speaks to her personally. Scripture doesn't support that. Looking into her church, pastor, and theology, I'd suggest to proceed with discernment. Test the spirits.
April 20, 2017
Rather fluffy and cliche in the beginning, but it did get better, as my friend said it would. I must admit that there are thought-provoking pieces of advice in here, despite the book's weak structure and lackluster writing style. I can see how it would be of great help to some. But it just didn't strike a chord with me. The whole thing was wrapped in too many layers of cheesiness.
June 12, 2018
4.5 stars
THIS BOOK, Y'ALL.
Lysa TerKeurst delivers such a heartfelt address on rejection, chatting with the reader and sharing hilarious anecdotes as if she's basically your bestie. Uninvited delivers the eye-opening message that it's perfectly natural to feel the sharp ache of rejection... but also gently presents advice on how we can rest in God's eternal embrace throughout it. <3
THIS BOOK, Y'ALL.
Lysa TerKeurst delivers such a heartfelt address on rejection, chatting with the reader and sharing hilarious anecdotes as if she's basically your bestie. Uninvited delivers the eye-opening message that it's perfectly natural to feel the sharp ache of rejection... but also gently presents advice on how we can rest in God's eternal embrace throughout it. <3
May 18, 2018
When a book comes along at just the right time, it can be a double blessing. Lysa TerKeurst's "Uninvited..." came along at the perfect moment for me.
If we're honest, there are times when we all feel rejected, and less than. Many of us, like Lysa so adeptly writes about, have childhood issues which we can hold onto, if we're not careful. As an author and role model, she is transparent in a sensitive and challenging way, using herself as an example that there is a wonderful freedom God can give us, if we're willing to fight for it.
In addition, as we age, it is very easy to fall into the trap of feeling that our best days are behind us due to the invisibility created by the societal worship of youth. This is where I was when I picked up this book. Not so much regarding physical attractiveness, but about our usefulness to the kingdom.
That's why it's beyond encouraging to read about all the ways our loving God embraces and loves us, not only when we fail or feel like an outcast, but when we are struggling to accept an older version of ourselves. Loved this book!
If we're honest, there are times when we all feel rejected, and less than. Many of us, like Lysa so adeptly writes about, have childhood issues which we can hold onto, if we're not careful. As an author and role model, she is transparent in a sensitive and challenging way, using herself as an example that there is a wonderful freedom God can give us, if we're willing to fight for it.
In addition, as we age, it is very easy to fall into the trap of feeling that our best days are behind us due to the invisibility created by the societal worship of youth. This is where I was when I picked up this book. Not so much regarding physical attractiveness, but about our usefulness to the kingdom.
That's why it's beyond encouraging to read about all the ways our loving God embraces and loves us, not only when we fail or feel like an outcast, but when we are struggling to accept an older version of ourselves. Loved this book!
February 11, 2024
I cannot even begin to gush about how much I loved this book. I felt seen. I felt heard. I felt worthy. So many great moments in this book that I truly related to. I felt called out as well which shows me I always have room for growth. This was inspiring, eye opening, heartbreaking yet motivating at the same time!
January 22, 2019
Have you ever looked through someone else’s prescription glasses and even though it’s perfect for them it’s a blurry mess for you? That’s how I feel when I read Lysa’s books.
For the life of me I couldn’t connect with this book! Perhaps it’s because I’m not feeling rejected or uninvited. Or it could be because, like most of this authors books, her books are very unfocused.
I’m always about learning and keeping a solid foundation in my relationship with Jesus. And even though I may not be feeling rejected or left out now there are times in life when we do feel like that. But this book isn’t very helpful. And the way this author uses scriptures sort of worries me. There was one part of the book that she explained something, used scripture and it didn’t match at all!
I’m happy if a reader finds solace between these pages, but unfortunately for me I had to tap out after the 4th chapter.
For the life of me I couldn’t connect with this book! Perhaps it’s because I’m not feeling rejected or uninvited. Or it could be because, like most of this authors books, her books are very unfocused.
I’m always about learning and keeping a solid foundation in my relationship with Jesus. And even though I may not be feeling rejected or left out now there are times in life when we do feel like that. But this book isn’t very helpful. And the way this author uses scriptures sort of worries me. There was one part of the book that she explained something, used scripture and it didn’t match at all!
I’m happy if a reader finds solace between these pages, but unfortunately for me I had to tap out after the 4th chapter.
October 14, 2016
This was the first book I have read by Lysa. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed. I felt like her chapters were unfocused and really didn't get very deep into the topic of rejection. It was very "fluffy" and I was looking for more biblical truths than what she presented. Plus, if I had to hear about her thighs or body image issues one more time I would've simply put the book down.
July 31, 2016
I always enjoy Lysa's writing. It is so honest. This book did not disappoint.
Lysa lets the reader look into her own insecurities to teach the reader lessons when we feel rejected. She gives lots of personal stories and plenty of scripture for the reader to hide in her heart. "Live from the abundant pace that you are loved, and you won't find yourself begging others for scraps of love" is one of the author's quotes that I feel sums up the point of the book. Highly recommend.
Lysa lets the reader look into her own insecurities to teach the reader lessons when we feel rejected. She gives lots of personal stories and plenty of scripture for the reader to hide in her heart. "Live from the abundant pace that you are loved, and you won't find yourself begging others for scraps of love" is one of the author's quotes that I feel sums up the point of the book. Highly recommend.
September 27, 2016
I debated between giving this 2 or 3 stars. I was drawn in by the title and subject matter, but didn't feel the book delivered on its promises. I wasn't captivated by the writing and actually skimmed some parts. This was the first book I've read by this author. I was hoping for more- more depth, more personal stories, more connection... just more.
February 24, 2019
The messages in this book for women by a Christian writer are beautiful and healing. Really though, you don’t have to be especially beaten, battered or rejected to relate to this book. Life is difficult, as M. Scott Peck wisely said, and the sooner we accept that the less difficult it becomes.
At best, life is a beautiful struggle.
At best, life is a beautiful struggle.
February 28, 2019
3.5 stars
I think the lower rating of this book is mainly attributed to my experience and the pacing of my reading, compared to the content. 3.5 stars is in by no means a bad rating, but I think I would have given this book a higher rating if I meditated and digested on the content more.
When I picked this book up, I thought it was at the perfect time as I was struggling with a lot of the issues that it discusses. However, I was in more of a mood to just ‘read’ and because of that I didn’t work through this slowly or truly absorb the content.
With that being said, I did like the content of the book and know I will reread this book at a later date. That reread will be at a more appropriate pace and potentially use this book as a study. I have read Lysa TerKeurst’s book “The Best Yes” which I enjoyed and I really like the style of Lysa’s writing. I find her writing style and her attitude very relatable.
If you are interested in books centering around personal development or self-help, I would recommend this one. But I do have to mention that it does reflect a Christian lifestyle so if religious material is not your thing, maybe pass on this one. Also, as per my experience, I definitely would read through this one slowly to get the most out of it.
I think the lower rating of this book is mainly attributed to my experience and the pacing of my reading, compared to the content. 3.5 stars is in by no means a bad rating, but I think I would have given this book a higher rating if I meditated and digested on the content more.
When I picked this book up, I thought it was at the perfect time as I was struggling with a lot of the issues that it discusses. However, I was in more of a mood to just ‘read’ and because of that I didn’t work through this slowly or truly absorb the content.
With that being said, I did like the content of the book and know I will reread this book at a later date. That reread will be at a more appropriate pace and potentially use this book as a study. I have read Lysa TerKeurst’s book “The Best Yes” which I enjoyed and I really like the style of Lysa’s writing. I find her writing style and her attitude very relatable.
If you are interested in books centering around personal development or self-help, I would recommend this one. But I do have to mention that it does reflect a Christian lifestyle so if religious material is not your thing, maybe pass on this one. Also, as per my experience, I definitely would read through this one slowly to get the most out of it.
May 26, 2021
I read this book 3 years ago and did not enjoy it the first time around. I just didn’t relate to the main topic and I got bored quickly. When I read it the second time, my perspective completely changed. I read it with a new attitude, ready to glean whatever wisdom I could from the book. With new experiences of rejection under my belt, I was able to relate to the author’s words and find solace in the scriptures she cites. This isn’t my new favorite book all of the sudden, but it can be a helpful read if you are feeling uninvited.
June 26, 2018
Interesting, insightful and inspirational.
January 4, 2017
I've been hurt by rejection and started believing lies about my God and who I am in Him-I deny myself the protection of His truth. And my search for love and acceptance outside of God's presence then leads to dangerous places.
Rating 3.5
TerKeurst is a wonderful writer who expresses herself with vulnerability and rawness. The pain of rejection can spill out in our lives in many different ways and the damage it does can leave us spiritual immature and lacking. Does this only apply to select few? No I think all of us has experienced rejection of some kind. The way I approach it is, when I choose one, that means I reject another. When someone chooses another, they reject me. That is what I love about marriage. Because marriage addresses that. But that is a different book.
Terkeurst takes us on a journey on how we can address the rejection that we have experienced and experience God's presence. What does rejection do...it steals the security of what we thought was beautiful and stable and leaves us scared and fragile. So rejection can be a big deal to some of us. However, that being said and in my own experience I have found that I become self-absorbed. Which is not of the gospel. My rejection can turn something painful to something beautiful when I pursue the gospel. This is my fear in reading books like this. Does this read have the potential of making us self-absorbed that we become self-centered and not God-centered or gospel centered? What I found is Terkeurst passion is to put us at the feet of the Jesus but I am not sure about the cross.
As I was reading, I was also underlining. She speaks to a broken heart but I also was wary, does she speak to my own wickedness. Does she speak of Christ Lordship? There is a friendship to her writing that is winsome and that I found myself drawn to and I am sure many others have been drawn in the same way. Unlike some other writers that I have experienced reading, she is not about the popularity but being real. I so appreciate it. I would not call her teacher but I would call her a friend. She does not put lightly the pain and anguish of those that have suffered and I believe God does not either but we have the greatest invitation in Christ. We all are invited and we all have a ticket that is paid. I recommend this book with caution but I whole heartily recommend the need to address our pain in a biblical way and I appreciate the author's own heart in doing so.
A Special Thank You to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Rating 3.5
TerKeurst is a wonderful writer who expresses herself with vulnerability and rawness. The pain of rejection can spill out in our lives in many different ways and the damage it does can leave us spiritual immature and lacking. Does this only apply to select few? No I think all of us has experienced rejection of some kind. The way I approach it is, when I choose one, that means I reject another. When someone chooses another, they reject me. That is what I love about marriage. Because marriage addresses that. But that is a different book.
Terkeurst takes us on a journey on how we can address the rejection that we have experienced and experience God's presence. What does rejection do...it steals the security of what we thought was beautiful and stable and leaves us scared and fragile. So rejection can be a big deal to some of us. However, that being said and in my own experience I have found that I become self-absorbed. Which is not of the gospel. My rejection can turn something painful to something beautiful when I pursue the gospel. This is my fear in reading books like this. Does this read have the potential of making us self-absorbed that we become self-centered and not God-centered or gospel centered? What I found is Terkeurst passion is to put us at the feet of the Jesus but I am not sure about the cross.
As I was reading, I was also underlining. She speaks to a broken heart but I also was wary, does she speak to my own wickedness. Does she speak of Christ Lordship? There is a friendship to her writing that is winsome and that I found myself drawn to and I am sure many others have been drawn in the same way. Unlike some other writers that I have experienced reading, she is not about the popularity but being real. I so appreciate it. I would not call her teacher but I would call her a friend. She does not put lightly the pain and anguish of those that have suffered and I believe God does not either but we have the greatest invitation in Christ. We all are invited and we all have a ticket that is paid. I recommend this book with caution but I whole heartily recommend the need to address our pain in a biblical way and I appreciate the author's own heart in doing so.
A Special Thank You to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
May 29, 2018
4.5 stars
I read Uninvited with my ladies' Bible study group. It was really good, and so much of it extremely relevant for me! I found some awesome and inspiring quotes, and a lot of thought-provoking concepts in this book. Though some parts were kind of glum-feeling, truly Uninvited continually pointed back to Christ. And finding love and security in Him. It was beautiful.
I certainly recommend to any woman who has struggled with insecurity, rejection, or the like.
"It's not about you becoming anything. Your soul was made to simply be with Me. And the more you are with Me, the more you will stop fearing what the world might take from you." (pg. 208)
I read Uninvited with my ladies' Bible study group. It was really good, and so much of it extremely relevant for me! I found some awesome and inspiring quotes, and a lot of thought-provoking concepts in this book. Though some parts were kind of glum-feeling, truly Uninvited continually pointed back to Christ. And finding love and security in Him. It was beautiful.
I certainly recommend to any woman who has struggled with insecurity, rejection, or the like.
"It's not about you becoming anything. Your soul was made to simply be with Me. And the more you are with Me, the more you will stop fearing what the world might take from you." (pg. 208)
March 31, 2019
Uninvited was such a powerful read. I felt like so much of it was written for me and I wrote down a lot of quotes. I liked how the book was written in a friendly way and yet didn't shy away from saying difficult things.
All in all, Uninvited was a great book and I recommend it. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's books.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*
All in all, Uninvited was a great book and I recommend it. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's books.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*
March 23, 2017
This book was so good because everyone can relate to the feeling of being left out, unwanted, rejected, or unloved at some point in their lives by others, even those close to us. Many of us know we are loved by Jesus, but how many of us live like we are loved by him every second of our lives? This book has practical tips for how to "live loved" through every season and every aspect of our lives. It has wonderful scripture references as well to keep us focused on the truth. We are loved by Jesus, safe, accepted and INVITED. Absolutely loved this book. One of my favorite Bible studies ever (and I have completed a lot of studies)!
November 26, 2022
This book was encouraging and reminded me of key truths about who God says I am. It highlighted the fact that no matter how much rejection I face in real life, God does not reject me. And Lysa has a great way of weaving real life stories into important (and often entertaining and relatable) lessons!
That being said… it wasn’t as deep as I hoped for. It mainly just reinforced a bunch of stuff I already knew. It is full of beautiful quotes and phrases I’d honestly hang on my wall for encouragement, because they’re really great! But as far as solutions go, it really just said lean on God and know that He doesn’t reject you, which, as a lifelong Christian is just kinda obvious and lacks depth. It was still good, just not quite 5 stars good.
That being said… it wasn’t as deep as I hoped for. It mainly just reinforced a bunch of stuff I already knew. It is full of beautiful quotes and phrases I’d honestly hang on my wall for encouragement, because they’re really great! But as far as solutions go, it really just said lean on God and know that He doesn’t reject you, which, as a lifelong Christian is just kinda obvious and lacks depth. It was still good, just not quite 5 stars good.
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