Untangled by Carey Scott

Cover Description

We all want to feel valued. We crave approval and acceptance in the eyes of family, friends, and even strangers. But when we seek confirmation that we are enough using the world’s standards, it seems like we always fall short. As a result, we cannot believe we are who God says we are—accepted, loved, beautiful, and treasured.

My Review

Untangled: Let God loosen the knots of insecurity in your life.

Like anyone, I have insecurities about a lot of things. Little things, big things, and things I don’t even know I have. But God knows them, because he knows my heart. Which is the very heart message of this book and why I like it so much.

Throughout this book Carey Scott points you to God. This isn’t some self-help book that tries to give you the perfect remedy to make you good enough instead she shares how to untangle our hearts from those lies the devil has so deeply woven in them.

Each tangled story she shares, from childhood to college, to marriage and friendships, is a tale of untangling those lies of I’m not good enough.

When I reached her chapters about marriage, I thought, “Surely none of this will apply to me. I’m not married! And this next chapter about being tangled with kids, that most definitely doesn’t apply to me.” I almost considered skipping those chapters. I almost wish I could say that I decided not to because I am, indeed, a true devout reader, but to be honest God called me to read them. And I am glad to boast about that. Though as a single person, the parts on being a wife or parent didn’t really apply to me, however, it opened my eyes to the insecurities my mom might be facing, even now.

As I neared the last chapter, I thought to myself, “I really like this book, but for all the insecurity issues, I’m rather disappointed.” Here’s why.

I’m overweight. For the longest time it was a huge insecurity. I didn’t like the feeling that people might be looking at me, not talking to me, and think I was ugly or unlovable because of my size.

“That’s a pretty huge tangle for a lot of women, why isn’t it being addressed in this book?”

Sure, appearances had been brought up from make-up, hair, and clothing, but why not bodyweight? Maybe she just didn’t have that problem.

I started reading the last chapter, Carey Scott leading up to the unveiling of her last tangle, and then I heard God whisper, “Surprise. I didn’t forget.” She shared her heartfelt tangle of insecurity on being overweight and how God reached in to the deepest part of her heart to make it well again.   

I am so glad she shared that story. It was a perfect ending. 

The only thing I disliked in the book was the constant change in bible version references. I know typically, I see people use 2-3 versions to better explain their meaning behind the verses they use. Most times the meaning is the same as the previous version, it just words it a little clearer for the reader. However, I found the versions used: CEB, TLB, GNT, and GW, to be too altered.

In one beginning chapter, she uses Proverbs 4:23 in CEB.

“More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” Did you catch that? More than anything else, protect your mind. You see, when you undermine your worth through words and thoughts, you change how you see yourself.”

So her message was surrounded by that word change from ‘heart’ to ‘mind’. Yet she mentions that the road from the head to the heart is one less traveled.

Then, in the end chapter she uses the same verse but from the GW version.

“Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.” Those are strong words—more than anything. God is saying that protecting our hearts should be our biggest priority. Why? Because all of our emotions, thoughts, and actions originate there.”

And then in the very next paragraph says how she likes the GNT version of that verse which says, “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”

I actually found this pretty conflicting to start with. I felt the versions were used to help tell the story or get the point across rather than letting the Bible actually speak for itself. I know their are great poems and sayings that say the like, "watch what you think because they become your actions." And I know the bible speaks of this in certain words, but I would have rather seen her ue quote than try to use whatever version of the bible suited her needs. However, I just pulled out my bible when I came to verses and took what she was trying to convey from her heart to her readers. Which was beautiful and lovely, encouraging and inspiring.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Revel Review program.