In The Middle Of The Mess is about struggle, darkness, and ultimately hope. It is a lovely book full of practical suggestions, by someone who has spent her own time deep in the trenches.
As someone who is intimately familiar with hopelessness and even suicidality due to bipolar, I so much more appreciate the perspective of someone who has actually been there herself, rather than an expert who is only talking about book knowledge and hypotheticals. Walsh has lived it, and she shares her experiences, her struggles, and her strategies with such honesty and grace. With her strong faith, her daily practices of mindfullness and awareness, and her carefully cultivated social connections, she overcomes and even thrives. It is both an inspiration and a strong testimony.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when she talks about the importance of her "sister-friends", those friends who are so close that they can go to each other with anything, without reservation and without judgement. My illness has required that I find and recognize those sister-friends in my own life, and I've come to realize that their presence has been every bit as vital as medication and therapy. Walsh understands this so very well.
Overall, this is a wonderful and inspirational book full of practical advice for any Christian who might find themselves "in the middle of the mess."
