My Refuge: Finding Peace & Strength in Uncertainty by Debra Fredette is an inspiring memoir on her time spent serving as a missionary in Uganda, Africa. Through calling upon scripture and referencing numerous examples of how God’s power and love protected her from danger, Fredette showcases that no matter how daunting a situation may appear, faith and hope will always combat fear. Each chapter of her memoir begins with a quote from Psalm 91, followed by a recount of the event she wishes to speak upon, and then ends with a reflection on not only what she learned from this experience, but what she believes readers can learn as well. By choosing to format her story in this way, it allows for a much more personal experience for readers — feeling less like reading a book and more like Fredette is speaking to readers directly.

What sets My Refuge apart from other memoirs on similar topics, is that Fredette doesn’t shy away from referencing the hardships that she went through. In her honest truth, she assures readers that just because God loves his people, does not necessarily mean that he is going to remove any grief or battles from their life. Instead, Fredette claims that God will sometimes throw challenges at people in order to help them grow or to shield them from other potentially worse situations. During her time spent in Uganda, she was surrounded by reports of killings not too far away from where she was staying and had to be extremely cautious every second of every day to try and avoid any unwanted attention. While many would take these events as a sign to go home and relax in safety, Fredette took the fact that she was spared from any attacks as a sign that God wanted her to stay. Despite any doubts or anxieties she experienced, she stayed true to the plan she felt God had for her, and powered through.

This memoir is perfect for anyone who struggles with anxiety or has trouble living life outside of their comfort zone. One thing that Fredette mentions during the beginning of My Refuge is that living life in fear results in nothing other than holding back and missing out on what could be the best moments of one’s life. Instead of living to avoid the what-if’s, live knowing that God already has a plan and that no amount of worry is going to change that plan. After reading this memoir and practicing this mindset, so many of life’s struggles won’t seem so hard. 

ABOUT EMILY MCDERMOTT

Emily is a recent graduate of  Bridgewater State University where she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a concentration in Literature. While at Bridgewater State, Emily worked in the Academic Achievement Center as a writing consultant where she helped enrolled students with any stage of the writing process. Being in this position helped Emily realize that working as an editor might be something she could see herself doing as a career. Currently, she is employed for a small business in her hometown of Bridgewater, MA while actively searching for jobs within the publishing field. She spends most of her free time reading books, playing with her dogs Neely and Kevin, going on coffee runs with her friends, and watching the Bruins with her dad. 

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