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Review: From Burned Out to Beloved

From Burned Out to Beloved book cover on blue background

I don't often post reviews of books that are less than glowing as I'll move on from that title to something better. I also try to do a bit more research before confirming which books I'll go with for my weekly Friday Reads selection. In this case, I had failed to do enough research before choosing to read From Burned Out to Beloved, so I'm making an exception and posting a less-than-favourable review. 

Book Synopsis

As a social worker, jail chaplain, and justice advocate, Bethany Dearborn Hiser pushed herself to the brink of burnout―and then kept going.

Stress, despair, and compassion fatigue overwhelmed her ability to function. She was called to serve the abused, addicted, and homeless people in her community. Yet she was emotionally and spiritually exhausted. Something needed to change. Searching for answers, Hiser learned that trauma affects everyone who is exposed to it―not only those experiencing it firsthand. Psychologists call it "secondary trauma." She realized that she needed the very soul care that she was providing to others. From Burned Out to Beloved is Hiser's story of burnout, self-discovery, and spiritual renewal. But more than that, it's a trauma-informed soul care guide for all Christians working in high-stress, helping professions. Whether you're a social worker, therapist, pastor, teacher, or healthcare professional, From Burned Out to Beloved will equip you to confess your limitations, embrace your identity as a beloved child of God, and flourish in your vocation.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This was a difficult book to get through, not because of the heaviness of the subject matter, but more so due to the content and its execution. I was initially excited to dive into this coming from a non-profit background where I have worked with underserved populations in a variety of settings. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed that this book became a hybrid of social justice terminology and contemplative spiritual practices, almost to the point of syncretism where practices from other world religions seem to be elevated. I don't doubt that this book will serve some people if they gravitate towards the author's form of contemplative spirituality, but most of the resources provided are not ones that I would personally read or access. 

For the right audience, this book may be helpful; however, this book did not resonate with me at all. If I wasn't committed to seeing if it would get better, I would have DNFed this one. Bringing up privilege and cisgender norms in this book was unexpected and felt more like shaming readers than helping them to understand the challenges that other community members face; it could be that these topics are meant to be provocative, but sadly, it comes across as more weaponized than it does gracious. At the conclusion of the book, it felt more like I had listened to a self-care book prescribed by a secular workplace (that happened to have some Christian terminology and spirituality sprinkled throughout). This is not a resource I would pick up nor would I suggest it to burnt out Christian community and social workers.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 🎧
  • Rating: ⭐
  • Recommendation: 👎

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