Living & Thriving Guest: Dr Shaunte McFarland. Author

Dr Shaunte McFarland:

Instead of giving you a formal third person description of myself, I’m going to be transparent. The same way I present myself in ministry, my book, my blog, the way I am in real life. I’m passionate, enlightening and formalities may dilute the true message of what I want to deliver. I grew up a small town girl who involuntarily learned a lot of things the hard way. My childhood was stolen at the tender age of four and after years of abuse I decided to liberate myself through accomplishments. My trophies and awards shined brightly but my soul grew darker as I started to adopt and carry out self-inflicted abuse. Fearing a return to my impoverished beginnings I became a serial perfectionist. If things weren’t flawless, I would perpetually beat myself up until I fixed it. As I was bringing down the hammer on myself for the umpteenth time, God grabbed my hand and I looked up to behold the Son of Glory. He showed me a new way. I learned that acceptance, forgiveness and grace is more effective in change than punishment. I would continue to fall, but instead of the whip I used something a lot fiercer: the double-edged Word of God.