Why I Couldn't Finish “Girl, Wash Your Face”

Christian Review of Girl, Wash Your FaceI purchased Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be in April of 2018. It was already all over the Christian Instagram world, where several were touting it as “life-changing” and saying that it really was shifting their perspectives.I don't usually buy self-help books, but the same thing that attracted hundreds of thousands of people also convinced me to buy the book.And you know? When I got it in the mail, I read the first several chapters all in one sitting. It's a fun read. It pats you on the back and challenges you simultaneously. I would come across a theological problem and stop reading, then someone else would post about it, and I thought... maybe I should try to finish it?  Five months later, I still can't bring myself to finish it.It's not that the book is badly written, in fact, Rachel Hollis is one of those people who is just magnetizing. She's beautiful, successful, ambitious, and the words she writes feel like a big sister who can show you the ropes and help you avoid the skinned knees of life.And talk about relatable... the first sentence of the first chapter is, “I peed my pants last week.” The book's pages are filled with attention-grabbing lines (she is a blogger, after all...) fun stories, life experiences, and business advice.Rachel is the daughter of a Pentecostal minister, and her grandfather was a Pentecostal minister, too. The book is published by Thomas Nelson, a Christian book publisher. References to the Bible, Jesus, her faith, or Christianity can be found in each chapter.  

I liked some parts of it:

• as a writer, I loved her story of how she got published. It's encouraging to see real people be honest about just how hard it is to get published.
• as a woman, I noticed her self-discipline and was inspired to keep trying to reach my personal goals.
• Her storytelling is fantastic and easy to read.

  But there's some problems, one large enough that I couldn't bring myself to finish the book, simply skimming the rest of the book to make sure I wasn't in error. 

Girl, Wash Your Face Problem #1: Self-help is ultimately selfish.

When you read several thousands of words that someone writes, you get a pretty good sense of their worldview, and Rachel's worldview is “push harder because you've got it within you.”Push harder and do more. Give everything you have and more for the sake of reaching your goals. At one point she (jokingly?) says that she would be open to a ritual sacrifice to get a book deal.Self-help isn't the answer to our troubles. You can't pull yourself up by your bootstraps up to God's level. (Try reading the Old Testament if you don't believe me!)Thinking of self is the opposite of thinking of God. Jesus never said that our lives were dependent on ourselves, but rather, that we should lay our lives down for the sake of others. He said that the meek, the shy, the brokenhearted, and the poor of spirit are blessed.Self-help is fundamentally antithetical to the Gospel.The gospel is: you are completely broken and incapable of living a holy life or going to Heaven on your own. Jesus Christ, sent from the Father, was 100% God and 100% man. He died and rose again, defeating death and making a bridge to the Father for those who believe and trust in Him. That's the ultimate humility. That the only thing you can do to achieve the life you want is to admit that you can't do it on your own.C. S. Lewis said it this way: “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”That humility is how Christ lived. That's how I can live my best life. 

Girl, Wash Your Face Problem #2: She half-quotes the Bible with no reference or context.

In one instance she quotes the Bible, but waters down the meaning significantly.

Page 61: “The Bible says, let that which is in darkness be brought to light. When things are allowed to sit in the darkness, when we're afraid to speak them aloud, we give them power. The darkness lets those fears fester and grow until they become stronger over time. If you never allow your fears out, then how in the world can you disseminate them?”

She's (loosely) referencing Ephesians 5:11-14, which reads:“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”This bugs me so much. Rachel Hollis does a classic misquote (or misinterpretation) of the Bible. While fear is a sin, it isn't the only sin being referenced by the Apostle Paul. Paul's purpose is to encourage the believer to holy living, but Rachel takes a few words out the passage and ignores the context.What is the fear that Rachel is referencing? The fears we encounter in our journey to self-betterment and reaching our goals.I don't think the Apostle Paul would agree with her interpretation.The Bible is not to be used for our convenience, but rather, to change our lives. The exact life-change that Rachel is seeking, in fact. 

Girl, Wash Your Face Problem #3: She thinks that Christians are wrong, even abusive to share the Gospel with others.

This might be the worst quote in the whole book:

“Just because you believe it doesn’t mean it’s true for everyone. . . Faith is one of the most abused instances of this. We decide that our religion is right; therefore, every other religion must be wrong.”

There's two major problems with this statement.

Jesus disagrees.

Jesus said plainly: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6.In this statement, it's clear that Jesus Christ says that He is the only way. He is the only truth. He is the only life. No one can have communion with the Father or access to Heaven apart from the Bridge that He created when He choose to be obedient to the Father and die for our sins. When Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He defeated death and gave us the opportunity to be in the family of God.Is it abusive for Jesus to make this truth claim? No. He is the Truth. He tells us the truth because He cares for us. 

It doesn't make any sense.

It makes no sense to say that every religion can be right. Islam and Christianity? They aren't compatible. Hinduism and Buddism? Nope. Sikhism and Animism? Nope. None of them jive together. A religion isn't a religion if it doesn't have some kind of exclusivity claim or preferred lifestyle.The same is true of Christianity. Jesus is not only the Way. He is the Life and He is life-changing. He is the fuel of your soul, the rest for your heart in this world and the next.

1 John 4:1 - "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

It might be trendy to say, “can't we all get along?” and we SHOULD attempt to love people and draw them to Christ's name and salvation. There is only one Gospel. One path to Heaven. We should get along to the best of our ability, while proclaiming the truth in love.That's what I'm attempting to do here.  

Girl, Wash Your Face Problem #4: She is taking on the burden of being her own Shepherd and Savior.

Try harder. Be better. Do better. Never give up on your dreams. Be your own hero. Take care of yourself because no one else will. Chase after your dreams because no one cares about them as much as you do. Make time for yourself, go to conferences to motivate yourself into change and renovate yourself from the outside in.Read more: Self-Care for Christian Moms - Smart or Selfish? 

Here's what I would say to Rachel Hollis if I could.

Christianity isn't about trying harder and pushing through to your goals. Jesus wouldn't advise His dear daughters to “try harder”, He would say “child come rest upon Me - all who are weary, come rest, let Me wash your feet and serve you and dress you in My righteousness.”Rachel, you have a engaged, growing audience. They love you and respect you. You've already served them so much. Pray for them. Lead them to meaningful Bible study. Lead them to a peace that cannot be won through striving, clawing your way to the top, or taping photos of Beyonce on your closet door. Draw them to Christ.Rachel, there's nothing wrong with bettering yourself and having better self control, and in fact, those are two things that the Holy Spirit can provide you. But are you pointing women to that voice? Are you listening to that voice in your own life? Listen to the Holy Spirit and His prompting in your life. When you do, you'll know how to better serve the hundreds of thousands of women who look up to you for spiritual advice.  

My recommendation: There are better books to read to attempt to diffuse the lies of Satan in your life.

God uses all sorts of things to draw people to His salvation, but 'Girl, Wash Your Face' is devoid of any serious Bible references, let alone Biblical advice.Girl, Wash Your Face?Maybe instead, girl, release your grip. You are holding onto this world with white knuckles. You are weary.Girl, let Christ wash you in His righteousness.Girl, grasp onto Christ. Hold onto Him and love Him with your whole heart, your whole mind, your whole strength. Girl, allow yourself to be washed by Christ and made ready for the wedding feast of Heaven. (Ephesians 5:26)In that, you will find peace.      <i>*If you purchase a book from the below recommendations (or purchase anything using the search bar), The ministry of Christ-Centered Mama might receive a small commission from your purchase that will not affect your cost. Thanks for your support!*</i>

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