I received an ARC from Leafwood Publishers via NetGalley. This review is my personal opinion.

I must say this book took me by surprise, in this bible study of Psalm 139 my eyes were open. I had many obstacles and I have to say it was a challenge for me each journal assignment. Shawna Marie Bryant took different bible characters and attach them to specific verses and the manifesto of acceptance. This book shows me the number of lies I have been believing for so many years and the powerful and beautiful truth found in God’s words. This book in my opinion it felt more like a journey While reading I had to take time to reflect, slow down and be honest about what was God showing me. As women, we all long to belong, to accept it, and to do our best to achieve it.

I’m grateful for the honesty Shawna Marie Bryant show on each page, this is not a feel-good magical-I’m a new person. But I must say after finishing reading this book I felt more at peace, without knowing this was the answer to a prayer I made so long ago. If you want to experience freedom, joy, acceptance, and walk in a new dimension of your relationship with God; this book is a great choice to start or maybe continue on that journey of healing. Truly grateful for the ARC of this book.

We all struggle with feeling left out, less than or just out of place. We battle emotions, negative thoughts and the enemy. Longing To Belong is a book to remind you of finding your God given purpose, who you are in Christ, and letting go of the hurt and negativity. Author Shawna Marie Bryant takes us step by step through Psalm 139, showing how we can remind ourselves the amazing benefits of being God’s children. Her worksheets and journaling tips make it easy to study along, while also showing you what you are struggling with and finding out what God says about you. Each chapter compares the verses of the psalm to a character from the Bible, and how God helped them. This is definitely a book you’ll want to take your time on and soak in what God is showing you.
(I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.) #netgalley

Awe!! A book written using one of my favorite Bible passages Psalm 139. Shawna Marie Bryant writes for us a Bible-based guide from the truth of God's word, He loves us, we are special and we matter to Him. This was a wonderful journey for me. Often the world knocks us down and we feel unwanted, unappreciated or we are not enough. Shawna Marie, using this passage, gives us tools to replace the lies that we have been fed throughout our lifetime. What a freeing experience. I know of no better book that has been written for us and for a time like this.

I thank Abilene Christian University Press for allowing me, through NetGalley, to read this great book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Longing to Belong by Shawna Marie Bryant. This book covers a lot of concepts and universal truths. Well-written, in depth, and well backed with noted Scripture. There is a good lesson inside that could help your place in the world.

Thank you Net Galley and Abilene Christian University for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is one book that you should read if you are struggling to find yourself. Not only is there wonderful scripture, but there are also journal prompts to help you learn even more about yourself. This is a book that you can read through quickly, get so much out of it, or take your time within each chapter to help you connect with yourself. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling to see who they really are.

Longing to Belong
Discovering the Joy of Acceptance
by Shawna Marie Bryant


Abilene Christian University Press & Leafwood Publishers

Leafwood Publishers
Christian | Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 14 Jul 2020



I am reviewing a copy of Longing to Belong through Leafwood Publishers and Netgalley:





In Longing to Belong Shawna Marie Bryant reminds us that words do have power, they can hurt or they can heal. Words can either bring life or bring death depending on how they are used. We are reminded that God has given us a heaven sent weapon with divine power, our heaven sent weapon was crafted to cut through lies and hold thoughts captive, we can demolish the deadly effects of every debasing thought or deed, by using our tongue to speak the truth.






This book goes on to point out if we believe we are unlovable, we will never know the truth about how powerful God’s love is or grasp what it does for us. We are reminded too that when we feel rejected it affects us physically as well as spiritually, but when we know the truth of God’s love it heals us in body, mind and spirit.





This book serves to remind us that we are special, that we are not invisible. The author goes on to talk about the three types of forgiveness being exoneration, forbearance, and release. Exoneration is wiping the slate entirely clean. Forebearance is used when the offender only partially apologizes or mingles their sorrow over the hurt they caused you, and to release means simply to let go.






In this book Shawna shows us how to deal with the hurt and grasp the keys to the future when we have been rejected by others. She goes on to show us that our Creator is not a harsh taskmaster or a harsh critic who needs to be feared. Instead, learn to claim your rightful place as accepted by God and live in joy.




Longing to Belong would be a great book for individual or a group study, on forgiveness and overcoming rejection.




I give Longing to Belong five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!








This book reminds us that we are called to forgive, and then the author goes on to show us how to work towards forgiveness. This book reminds us that though we have enemies, we can still walk in victory.

( received a complimentary e-book in exchange for a review )

Hesitated to read this book, only because of my past. Was fearful of what memories might have been brought back to surface. However, ended up fully embracing every word of this book. Inbetween the pages, I found healing, peace and comfort.

Shawna Marie Bryant has written a book "for such a time as this."

When we're inundated with messages of what we should look like, how we should decorate our homes, feed our families, and which causes to support, she helps us see that it's not the world and social media that give us value and meaning, it's God.

Based on Psalm 139, Shawna shares a Manifesto of acceptance and solid Bible-based teaching that will help any reader who has struggled to feel like they're enough, that they're accepted, and that they belong.

God created us, He knows us, He is always with us. These are just a few of the points Shawna expands on in this excellent book. She balances her teaching with real-life examples and encouragement.

I highly recommend this book and plan to buy more copies for my daughters and friends.

Can I just say, wow! I picked up a review copy of Shawna Marie Bryant's Longing to Belong: Discovering the Joy of Acceptance and found that God met with me through her book as he gently reminded me once again who I am in Christ. I think I'm probably not the only one that struggles with the need for acceptance and all too often falling into the trap of feeling I have to earn acceptance and approval. But Bryant lovingly and gently helped steer me back to truth --that I am accepted in Christ and that's all that matters!

Bryant begins with a Manifest built on the outline of Psalm 139, on which she bases the entire book: God knows me. He is always with me. I am not invisible. I am wonderfully made. God's countless throughts are for me. I have enemies, but I can walk in victory!

As Bryant walks readers through Psalm 139 and that Manifesto, she helps them discover anew the joy of meeting God in scripture and the joy that comes from walking fully in acceptance--in one's identity in Christ. As she examines the lives of key biblical characters like the woman at the well, Rahab, Joseph, the woman with constant bleeding, and David, she helps readers identify right thinking, right standing, and keys to freedom so that they can walk in victory in who they are in Christ--so it's not just head knowledge, but heart knowledge.

Not only that, but Bryant gives readers practical tools for making personal Bible study more meaningful and alive. And, she shows readers how to counter lies with truth and learning how to walk in freedom and victory because of all we've been given in Christ. The tips really help readers meditate on who God is and who they are in Christ, helping readers learn to renew their minds. I've already reoriented my journaling to include these helpful tools, and I'm excited to see how God uses it to renew my mind. And you better bet I'll be recommending this amazing book, Longing to Belong, to friends so they too, can experience freedom and joy of acceptance.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.