Book Review: "Seen, Secure, Free: How a Life Hidden with Christ Strengthens and Transforms You" by Allison Allen

I am always excited to read and review a book that I think will be relevant and applicable to my audience, and that was certainly the case when I was approached about reviewing Allison Allen’s new book, “Seen, Secure, Free: How a Life Hidden with Christ Strengthens and Transforms You.”

Here is the book’s official description:

In a world that screams, “Be seen! Be known!” and often measures value by likes, shares and follows, it’s easy to feel invisible, unheard, unloved. But God’s Word offers a powerful and freeing counternarrative: true treasure is actually found in the “hidden” life of Christ.

Somewhere along the way, we’ve confused our level of visibility with our value. We’ve mixed up fame with fruitfulness. We’ve equated exposure with excellence.

But what if we stopped trying so hard to be seen, recognized, and affirmed by the world around us? What if there’s a different way of living altogether?

In “Seen Secure Free,” Allison Allen delves into Colossians 3:3, reminding us of the profound truth that our lives are hidden with Christ in God. Through captivating insights drawn from nature, history, and Scripture, she invites readers to embrace a different way of living—one that transcends the relentless pursuit of recognition and applause from the world.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll discover within the pages of this transformative book:

Let go of the pressure to be recognized and praised by others;

Release the resentment that comes from feeling unseen or misunderstood;

Find contentment in a loving God who knows you deeply;

Find security in a powerful God who establishes your identity, worth, and purpose;

Reset your motivations and goals to align with his kingdom; and

Feel freed to pursue new adventures with Jesus

“Seen Secure Free” offers a timely message of hope and liberation, reminding us that our significance is not determined by our visibility in the eyes of others, but by our hiddenness in Christ. It’s a journey toward embracing the freedom, joy, and transformative power that come from living a life deeply rooted in God’s love.

As a decade-long blogger, author, podcaster, and speaker, I know firsthand the idol of platform, popularity, and prestige that can come with being active in the online space. The desire to be seen, known, and respected is too often an overpowering one. The enemy knows this and is regularly in the business of luring us away into pursuing a bigger audience, more of the spotlight, and more “likes” and “follows”.

With that in mind, I consider Allison’s words in this new book to be an absolute God-send that we all need for such a time as this. With relatability, depth, winsomeness, and Scriptural insight, Allison comes alongside us on a journey from worshipping at the feet of platform to worshipping at the feet of the One with Whom our life is hidden. She shows us that being hidden in Christ is a good thing, that long seasons of seeming invisibility or “smallness” are crucial times of preparation for what God has called us to, and that we are just as useful for the kingdom of God whether we have zero Instagram followers or one million.

If you have ever been ensnared by the temptation of platform and popularity, may I encourage that you pick up a copy of this book? I highly recommend it!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.