They triumphed over him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony… Revelation 12:11
Last year at a blogging conference, I finally met Jennifer Smith (aka The Unveiled Wife) after a year of being online friends. Through the e-mails and phone calls we exchanged prior to our meeting, I knew she was sweet and encouraging. Our interactions face-to-face showed me that her heart for the Lord, her husband, and other wives is much larger than her ministry platform. Her latest book, The Unveiled Wife: Embracing Intimacy with God and Your Husband, hits the shelves on Tuesday and I cannot speak highly enough about this resource.
Jennifer is a source of encouragement to me when it comes to my writing journey. By asking me to contribute blog articles to her site and reviewing my book, she has strengthened my confidence and authenticity. Even though I don’t normally provide book reviews on my blog, I knew I wanted to offer her similar support in return.
I will admit, however, that prior to reading the book, I was somewhat skeptical about this book’s possible impact. I knew her story (or at least parts of it) and couldn’t imagine what she would share in her book that wasn’t already available on her blog. How would reading her story strengthen my marriage or the marriages of those close to me?
When I received my complimentary copy, I stared at it for a couple of days, trying to silence the critic in my head. Finally, I picked it up and prayed that the Lord would speak to my heart through her words. I flipped the book open and began to read. It did not take long before the critic fell silent, and the Holy Spirit began working. Jennifer has mentioned that the Lord prompted her to publish her story, and there is truth in her words. Throughout the book, I was often moved to tears, convicted, and encouraged. I am certain that this written work has the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and I do not believe one can read it without being moved and challenged.
While Jennifer is sharing her personal story, she writes in such a way that her words transported me into her world. All of a sudden I was experiencing the disappointments and embarrassing moments as well as the joyous and healing ones right along with her. I was no longer simply reading Jennifer’s story, but journeying with her and drawing parallels from her struggles to my own.
The Unveiled Wife addresses many areas of temptation that allows for any reader to relate to the author’s story. Examples of some of the weaknesses addressed are: childhood hurts, insecurities, unmet expectations, the toxicity of having secrets in marriage, intimacy issues, believing the lies of Satan, and the devastating effects of pornography. To help solidify the reader’s ability to personalize the content, Jennifer proves a few reflective questions at the end of every chapter. If you read the book, don’t make the mistake of skipping over these! Her questions are thought provoking and pave the way for honest conversations with God and your husband!
What I loved most about this book is Jennifer’s authenticity! I believe firmly that the Lord can’t redeem something that is kept secret. There are many parts of Jennifer’s story that she could have kept far from the eyes of the readers, but she chose to become completely unveiled. The reader will benefit because of her obedience, and the Lord is going to mightily redeem her most shameful and embarrassing moments!
If you enjoy reading, need some encouragement in marriage, or want permission to share your struggles I would recommend that you grab a freshly brewed cup of tea and take an edifying journey along with Jennifer.
Jennifer triumphed over Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of her testimony…
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