Pointed Me to the Healing Salve – Book Review

I want to share this 5 star Amazon book review about The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert. I published this book because the Holy Spirit prompted me in such a powerful way that I could no longer ignore the call. The most impactful part of the book, in my opinion, is the Sacred Inner Beloved dialogues. Communicating with the Trinity and my Wise Self has become my most important healing tool. In the book review below, the writer reveals how reading my sacred inner dialogues created an opening so Jesus could reach him.

Book review: “Pointed me to the healing salve”

I had already read Elaine Aron’s book, The Highly Sensitive Person, a few months ago. I am very much an HSP and am very glad to understand my tendencies better. I was very shy as a child, but in the past few years I’ve become quite bold. I even joined a public speaking club.

But last month, my energy level dropped, and I was feeling tense. I noticed how disconnected I felt from people, even at my church. I suspected it had something to do with my sensitivity. Most of my interactions felt shallow, and I craved something deeper. I decided to look for Christian HSP resources. After searching on and off for a couple of weeks, I came upon this book, The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert, Wisdom for Emotional Healing and Expressing Your Radiant Authentic Self by Benita Esposito.

Some general notes

If you plan to write a book to help others, follow Benita’s format. It has the ideal blend of concrete experience and examples interwoven with brief abstract explanations. I always learn better with that kind of format, and I’m guessing most people are the same.

I’m finding that I’m applying this book to myself in a non-linear way. The application items in the middle of the book spoke to me most strongly, so I applied those first. I suggest you read it through once and just let the Spirit speak to you about what you need first. I’m 3/4 of the way through the book, and I already plan to read it a second time.

My takeaways

I could relate to certain parts of Benita’s story quickly because I’ve had similar experiences. I thought I had made peace with my past trauma, but this book showed me God still had more work to do. A couple of her experiences really struck a nerve. I re-read them in private, and my pain (and tears) came back to the surface. But feeling the pain again was a healing process, not a destructive one.

The most powerful part of the book for me (in hindsight, not when reading it) was the Sacred Inner Beloved dialogues (where Benita communicates with God).

This is an email I sent to Benita to show my gratitude:

“I just wanted to say how helpful your book has been, particularly the Sacred Inner Beloved exercise.
I was skeptical that I might be imagining what Jesus would say to me, so I didn’t actively do the exercise. Early one morning as I was waking up, He started speaking to me with very healing and comforting words. I started to cry. Then I started writing down His words and my responses, and I had to stop a few times because I was crying so intensely. I didn’t realize how much I had been blocking out His love before. From the bottom of my heart, I’m deeply grateful that you shared your story and your guidance.”

I wasn’t planning to share this next part because it’s very personal, but Benita’s openness inspired me to share anyway. This is the dialogue that I wrote (the one I mentioned above). Note that I used archaic pronouns (thou, etc.) at first because I think it’s important to remember God’s transcendence. I transitioned to modern pronouns without even thinking about it, when the dialogue became more intimate.

Dialogue with Jesus

Jesus: Come away with me; let us walk barefoot in the fields. Thou art engraven on the palms of my hands – I will never forsake thee. I will never let anything hurt thee. When people said all kinds of evil things against thee, whether they intended to hurt thee or not, I hurt with thee. Remember, I was the one they mocked and spat upon and whipped, simply because I chose to be what the Father wanted me to be. But I stayed strong, because I am in the Father’s love. Now abide in my love as I am in my Father’s.

Rest. Stop fighting yourself. My peace I give to thee. I long to gather thee up like a hen gathers her chicks.

Don’t flee from my love, but embrace me (he holds me and kisses me on the top of the head).

Oh my child, thou has suffered enough. Just be present with me, and I will heal all of thy wounds.

You have a heart of gold. I know you don’t believe it, but I know thee completely and I know it to be true. I put that gold there. You know your own heart. You’ve felt your compassion for children and for nature. You’ve seen yourself in action. I gave that to you. That was my gift of love. I made you, and I put myself into you, and I love what I made.

I want you to love that aspect of yourself. Don’t despise that goodness. Embrace it, live in it, let it shine so all can see My goodness, My compassion.

Me: I cry on His shoulder.

Jesus: Oh, don’t be afraid, your tears are an anointing to me, just like the woman who washed My feet with her tears. I am honored and pleased to receive this anointing from you.

You remember that your youth-group counselor compared you to a flower? And you didn’t like it? Don’t be afraid. Is it a little thing to be called my flower? Stop trying to be strong. I am your strength.

You realize now that my salvation is bigger than you ever imagined, or even dared to imagine! I came to redeem all that is in you. Not just to remove the bad parts but to restore and beautify the good parts. I will restore this house to the glory that I originally intended! Do you believe that I AM the resurrection and the life?

Me: Oh Lord, I am afraid. I am afraid to let my hopes be raised. I hear what you say, but I don’t know if I can believe it with my whole heart.

Jesus: I always finish what I begin. Don’t be afraid, only believe.

Me: Oh, I don’t doubt your power at all, or your ability to do what you planned. But how can I know that you truly plan to restore me, to heal me as fully as is possible in this life?

Jesus: Come, and see.

—End Dialog (to be continued, of course)

I think I’m going to cry some more now. I cry every time I re-read that dialogue. It’s a bit crazy in a good way 🙂 And by the way, I’m male.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Benita A. Esposito is a spiritual counselor, life coach, licensed professional counselor, and ordained minister. Her bestselling book, The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert, can be found on Amazon.  She quickly spots psychological patterns to reach the bottom line so you don’t waste precious time. She follows a grace-filled Christian path that honors all faiths. For fun, she grows beautiful flower gardens. She loves to hike through forests to waterfalls. Her inner shutterbug shot most of the photos on this website.