As humans, we are prone to insecurities, fear of failure, and regrets which we try to hide and cover up, resulting in isolation from both those around us and God. Through fifty devotionals, counselor Edward T. Welch shows us how God speaks with gentleness, depth, and hope that will lead us out of hiding and to live more openly, authentic, and regret-free.
Welch speaks to our struggles with shame, disappointments, and inadequacy with God's words of love and change. Welch shows us how we were created to be known by God and others, and how hiding undermines these relationships. Each daily devotional focuses on a specific biblical truth that unpacks the reasons underlying our feelings of failure and weakness and then points us in the direction of turning to God for acceptance, identity, and security.
Sometimes we hide because of our own failures and weakness, and sometimes we hide because of what others have done and said to us, but in either case, we can be free from shame because of the work of Christ on the cross. Jesus took our shame on himself, so we can trust that now we are valued children of God.
Through a closer examination of Scripture, we can be assured God will meet us in the insecurities of daily life. We can find true security in his love and live freely and honestly with others.
“There are few people I trust more than Ed Welch to help me navigate issues of shame and insecurity. In this brief but rich book, Ed points us to the full breadth of how Scripture speaks into our struggles and welcomes us out of hiding. You won’t find platitudes of self-empowerment here, but you will find true hope and acceptance by a Savior who has a unique love for those who tend to hide and be ashamed.”
Jonathan D. Holmes, Pastor of Counseling, Parkside Church; executive director, Fieldstone Counseling
“Ed Welch’s new book, A Small Book about Why We Hide, is a huge encouragement for those, like me, wanting greater freedom from insecurity, regret, failure, and shame. In fifty brief meditations, Ed helps us understand how the gospel puts an end to our posing and pretending. Jesus, the one who knows us the best, loves us the most. He didn’t just take our guilt; he bore our shame. The more alive we are to the love and loveliness of Jesus, the less we hide and the freer we become, the greater our joy, and the quicker our repentance. Being present starts meaning more to us than being impressive. Who doesn’t want more of that?”
Scotty Ward Smith, Pastor Emeritus, Christ Community Church, Franklin, TN; teacher-in-residence, West End Community Church, Nashville, TN
“Insecurity, failure, shame, and hiding from God and people—these are not small troubles. They haunt us. Every day. Praise God for a devotional book that delivers gospel truth for every day. In Christ, God pursues, forgives, and covers us. He does even more. Ed Welch invites us to trust and follow the One who removes every reason to hide.”
John Henderson, Pastor and professor
“We are all tempted to hide. Ed Welch tenderly uses both story and Scripture to invite us to live differently—as people who are known and deeply loved by God. He does so masterfully. Sweet truths and probing questions encourage us to see more of God's relentless love and less of ourselves. Each page in A Small Book About Why We Hide overflows with irresistible and life-changing truths.”
Darby A Strickland, Faculty and counselor, CCEF; author of Is it Abuse?
“Ed Welch has a unique way of writing that makes us feel at ease being transparent with God and with others. This book is no different. It makes us want to draw near to the heart of Jesus, to throw ourselves into his arms, and to stop hiding from him. In this book, we discover the affection that Jesus has for us. It helps us leave behind the surface-level image that we have of ourselves, to face our intimate interior thoughts, and share them sincerely and honestly with God for our benefit and for the good of those around us.”
Francois Turcotte, President, SEMBEQ
“Ed has written many good books, but it’s his writing on shame that people read through tears. It touches deep, onto nagging insecurities: I know Jesus died for my sins, but why do I feel like an imposter at work and a disappointment at home? Ed invites us to entrust our ‘fragile inner worlds’ to God for safekeeping. We find that it’s ok to be ordinary and imperfect, and that we really can be both known and loved.”
Michael Gembola, Executive Director, Blue Ridge Christian Counseling; author of After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration
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