If you've ever felt like an outcast or as if you don’t fit in, you may find yourself in this book. The author was an abused “redheaded stepchild” and felt as if she didn't belong anywhere. Many people suffer with emotional wounds and Sharon Howard, has written a book addressing these issues.
Sharon tells her powerful story of difficult early life experiences and of her descent into the depths of depression, suicidal thoughts, and the edge of mental illness and shares the recovery steps that, by God’s grace and mercy, allowed her to conquer her emotions and reach “a happy place in God.” Sharon wants others to know that God tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image and have purpose.
God’s Word tells us to trust Him. Psalm 56:3-4(NASB) "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?"
However, trust is not easy when we’ve been abused, especially by those who were expected to love and protect us. But we are robbed of joy and peace when we settle for less than God’s best. Sharon concedes that emotional and spiritual health is linked to our level of trust in God and our heavenly Father wants to prove it’s safe to trust Him. If you suffer with self-esteem issues or other symptoms of abuse, then this tender, compassionate book will give you hope and show you how to hear from God in order to find restoration and healing.
Every young person with feelings of inadequacies needs to learn there’s more to life than what people think of them. Sharon wants others to know there is hope no matter how hopeless it feels and suicide should NEVER be an option. It’s a devastating place to be when you’re in such pain and despair that you feel like the only way to stop the pain, is to end your life. She wants others to find these tangible methods to follow, in order to get beyond the pain and discover hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ. Find out how Sharon discovered this truth.
SharpsburgSamurai
5.0 out of 5 starsYou may find yourself in this story!
December 5, 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I recommend this book to the hurting younger generation. Many of them will find themselves in her story and realize that there is a way out ! They don't have to stay feeling hopeless and damaged. This book reminds us that we can break the curses upon our lives with God's power. You can experience emotional and spiritual healings with God's help because that is what the author in this story has proved. The author learned to let God be the Lord and King of her life specifically her "emotions". There is a great freedom when you are not under the influence of your emotions but under the lordship of loving God.
The NEWNAN TIMES-HERALD
Local author shares ‘experience with God’ in new book
· By Melanie Ruberti Nov. 08, 2018 - 6:51 AM
Courtesy of Sharon Howard
Sharon Howard
Sharon Howard said she had a tough and troublesome life growing up in Rockdale County. Fortunately, she found redemption through God. Bottom of Form
The Coweta County resident is now sharing her story in her first novel titled, “Lord of Our Emotions: From Redheaded Stepchild to My Happy Place in God.” “It’s my personal testimony. There were circumstances in the beginning of my life that left me feeling abandoned and rejected,” Howard said. “… As I grew into a teen, I dealt with those feelings by using drugs and alcohol.”
She said her biological father was a paranoid schizophrenic. When her mother divorced him, she left Howard with family members who abused drugs and alcohol.
After her mother remarried, Howard rejoined the family only to be emotionally and verbally abused by her stepfather, she remembered. She said using drugs and alcohol only masked her pain.
“When you’re in pain, you make the wrong decisions because you feel like you have no value,” she said. “But God says I have value and a future – and I want other people to experience that and feel hope, too.”
She said she was 19 years old when she gave her life to Christ, but admitted, “it was still a long journey in learning to love myself, so I could love others.” Eleven years ago, she began journaling about her experiences. She wrote “Lord of Our Emotions” from those entries chronicling her journey from feeling hopeless to hopeful about her life, she said. “God has a destiny for everyone, and He wants us to achieve that destiny. But first we have to get rid of some of our baggage and old wounds,” she explained. “I want people to realize there is hope, no matter how hopeless it feels.” She said she added Bible scriptures throughout her book, including her favorite one, Philippians 4:6-8, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
“It feels like I have a happy ending after a really terrible beginning in life,” Howard said. “I want people to know that Jesus Christ is the answer … I want people to take off their masks, get real and help others. That and Christ is the only way to succeed.”
Howard will be signing copies of her new book this evening outside the Corner Arts gallery during the annual Holiday Sip and See in downtown Newnan.
