Author Sandre Dalton-Smith delved into her spiritual journey and the core concepts of her book, “Being Fully Known.” Her powerful message offers a refreshing perspective on finding joy and satisfaction through a deeper relationship with God.

Sandre’s personal story is one of profound healing. Having lost her mother in childbirth, she grappled with feelings of abandonment and a perception of God as unfair [01:14]. Despite accepting Christ at 16, a “father wound” lingered for two decades, hindering her ability to fully trust God and leading to stress and burnout [02:04]. Her breakthrough came with the realization that true rest and healing were intertwined with surrendering control and embracing trust in God [02:54].

“Being Fully Known” is a continuation of her exploration of rest, building upon her previous work, “Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity.” Through her “restquiz,” Sandre identified a widespread struggle with spiritual, emotional, and social rest [07:06]. Her new book tackles the “tension of becoming,” challenging the societal notion that identity is defined by roles rather than a biblical understanding of self [07:41].

The book’s subtitle, “The Joyful Satisfaction of Beholding, Becoming, and Belonging,” encapsulates its transformative message:

• Beholding: This involves prioritizing understanding Christ through scripture, rather than getting caught up in endless to-do lists or external expectations [09:04]. It’s about seeing Jesus in every aspect of life.
• Becoming: As we behold Christ, we naturally grow to become more like Him [09:11]. This is a process of transformation rooted in our gaze upon the divine.
• Belonging: This speaks to finding our unique place, not by conforming, but by bringing a distinct element of God that may be missing from a given space [09:17]. It’s about authentic connection and contribution.

Sandre also highlights common obstacles to this journey of belonging and growth. “Friendly fire” from well-meaning loved ones can unintentionally hinder progress due to fear of change [10:25]. Additionally, people often resist the “fields of anointing”—processes like suffering, surrender, stretching, and soaring—which are crucial for deeper understanding of God and fuller expression of His presence [11:52].

She encourages a childlike spirit of exploration, free from self-judgment and conventional definitions of success [16:19]. A key takeaway is that our level of rest directly reflects our level of trust in God [04:44].

When asked about her favorite women in the Bible, Sandre mentioned Deborah and Esther [18:27]. She resonates with Esther’s journey of discovering her identity after pain and how her past shaped her destiny [18:33]. Deborah, on the other hand, inspires Sandre with her strength and authority, serving as a model for women to embody both gentle and authoritative qualities, much like Jesus [20:12].

Ultimately, beholding Jesus in everyday life begins with intention and a lifestyle of abiding—being consciously aware of His spirit and divine appointments [21:58]. This includes perceiving the needs of others and responding with kindness, even through a simple look or smile [22:50]. A powerful prayer Sandre suggests is, “God, show me where you’re moving today and how do you want me to respond to that movement?” [24:54].

Referenced Books:

• “Being Fully Known” by Sandre Dalton-Smith
• “Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity” by Sandre Dalton-Smith

Referenced Bible Figures:

• Jesus
• Holy Spirit
• Noah
• Deborah
• Esther