Book Review: I Will Not Fear: My Story of a Lifetime of Building Faith Under Fire by Melba Pattillo Beals

Purchase HERE

Title: I Will Not Fear: My Story of a Lifetime of Building Faith Under Fire

Author: Melba Pattillo Beals

Series: Standalone

Genre: Non-fiction/Memoir

Audience: Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1957, Melba Beals was one of the nine African American students chosen to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. But her story of overcoming didn't start - or end - there. While her white schoolmates were planning their senior prom, Melba was facing the business end of a double-barreled shotgun, being threatened with lynching by rope-carrying tormentors, and learning how to outrun white supremacists who were ready to kill her rather than sit beside her in a classroom. Only her faith in God sustained her during her darkest days and helped her become a civil rights warrior, an NBC television news reporter, a magazine writer, a professor, a wife, and a mother.

In I Will Not Fear, Beals takes readers on an unforgettable journey through terror, oppression, and persecution, highlighting the kind of faith needed to survive in a world full of heartbreak and anger. She shows how the deep faith we develop during our most difficult moments is the kind of faith that can change our families, our communities, and even the world. Encouraging and inspiring, Beals's story offers readers hope that faith is the solution to the pervasive hopelessness of our current culture.

~ MY REVIEW ~

**unrated**

My thoughts are uncertain when it comes to this book. It had some really thought-provoking and poignant content, but also some things I had questions about.

I Will Not Fear: My Story of a Lifetime of Building Faith Under Fire was definitely a compelling read. The beginning caught me up in the story of Melba's life, and moved me to tears - both of anguish and sweet joy that God loves His children so protectively and beautifully.

"Grandmother always quieted my fretting - explaining that it was proof of how special I was in God's eyes because He had saved my life against all odds. 'God has been kind to give you beautiful hair like shiny black satin to cover your scar. No one will know,' she said. 'God has rescued you from death because He has special assignments for you.'" (pg. 25)

I do feel that God was calling Melba to stand up against prejudice and separation, and embolden those who are persecuted or made to feel "less-than".

However, the story of her divorce was very sad. I just can't believe that that was really God's heart for her, her husband, and their daughter. Her husband definitely should have responded differently, but it also came across that Melba didn't esteem the position of being a wife and mother.

That being said, I do think I understand why someone would say: "Being a wife and mother is not enough". Because, although I believe wife & mother is a super high, honorable, and God-given role, if I was married with children but not following God passionately, it would not feel "enough" for me, either. An authentic, active relationship with God gives true purpose ... and that is perhaps what Melba was searching for. (This is why I don't want to marry unless I firmly believe God has brought along the man and written out the love story. My deepest desire is to love and serve God! And then be a wife and mother. Blogger. Author. Etc.)

So, I suppose I say that because that part of Melba Pattillo Beal's story was very heartrending. Marriage is supposed to be, as God ordained, until death parts you. Not temporary, as Melba's mother, Lois, said. But, I don't know all that was in Melba's heart and that of her husband. Seeing glimpses of her motherhood later in life was beautiful, in any case! ^_^

This book was not a light read. It is an account of some horrific things that happened to Melba. It was eye-opening and sobering. Hateful, prejudice thoughts and actions are such ugly, evil things. It is truly horrifying and sorrowful that people acted in such wicked ways toward people of just a different culture. Hopefully I Will Not Fear will inspire us all to take a firm stand if ever we see people acting in hateful or demeaning ways just because someone looks different or has a different culture than them.

Further into the book, there was also a very disturbing, gruesome story briefly told from Melba's news reporter days.

I didn't like everything about this book, but it is definitely an informational read, and inspiring to see the ways God shielded and carried Melba in His mighty hands. My favorite chapters were Chapter Seven: God is Everywhere, Especially in California  (pgs. 79-88) and Chapter Seventeen: God is as Close to You as Your Skin (pgs. 161-165). So beautiful - loved them!

Melba Pattillo Beals definitely defied expectations! One of my favorite quotes from the book is: "Life's lessons come from unexpected places. We cannot afford to allow prejudices to shut out God's blessings. Being equal is based on seeing equal. It is seated in each individual's willingness to claim their own equality despite all evidence to the contrary and all talk by others who dare to question their value."

I received a copy of I Will Not Fear from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.