[This post marks the inaugural guest post by my amazing wife Christie. She recently read Damsels in Distress: Biblical Solutions for Problems Women Face by Martha Peace and wrote a helpful review. The book is a compilation of material that Martha did at a women’s conference at Omaha Bible Church a couple of years ago. I know that her time with the ladies was fruitful and effective. So I join Christie in recommending this book for women in dealing with issues biblically.]
“How can I help you?” This is Martha Peace’s premise for her new book Damsels in Distress. Though you may feel overwhelmed at the enormity of your problem(s), Martha explains thoroughly that there is always a biblical solution. Biblical principles and practical applications of those principles enshroud the pages of Damsels in Distress. Martha Peace takes aim at the sin that so easily entangles us women and dares her readers to pull back the string and shoot for real heart change to the glory of God.
No assumptions are made in Damsels in Distress, or in any of Mrs. Peace’s books. We get started off in the first chapter with a clear focus on God and His salvation; pointing out that it is only in Him that we have strength to overcome the problems, that is, the sin problem we have. The theme of God’s grace is seen throughout. The recurring emphasis upon genuine regeneration is one aspect that makes this perfect for a new believer and even that unbelieving relative or coworker.
Damsels in Distress is broken into three parts; Biblical solutions for problems with others, with ourselves and with the world. Within these sections chapter titles gossip, idolatry, hurt feeling, vanity, PMS, legalisms, the feminist influence and such are covered making this a real hands on book. And please don’t let my topical list deceive you. This book’s emphasis is on the Scriptures. The depth to which Mrs. Peace goes on each subject makes it a great sharpening tool for even the most mature Christian woman.
At the end of each chapter Martha has study questions that make for excellent personal devotions and would make this book an ideal choice for group Bible study. And what an interesting group Bible study it would make! The questions can’t be answered with the canned Sunday-School responses: God, prayer or Bible. Some challenges Martha has in her study section include: making plans of action, analyzing your personal situations and writing out how you could have handled it more Biblically, listing areas of your life in which you know you are guilty and assigning a Scripture to it.
My personal favorite chapter dealt with hurt feelings. Martha lists a whole page of examples and follows it with a definition of what hurt feelings really are. From there she slaps it with a big ‘Proud’ sticker and hands it to us readers in a very tightly wrapped package. Ultimately, Mrs. Peace points out, it is our responsibility to handle hurt feelings biblically and to remain humble, thinking true and lovely thoughts about the other person. A nice big chart (full of the correct Biblical response) accompanies this chapter.
Warning:: Martha doesn’t pull any punches. Ladies, get the steak out. You’ll need it after reading this book; she has a sneaky left jab.
You may pick this book up at Westminster Bookstore for a reasonable price.
