andi Patty, a legend in the Christian music industry, says the layers of emotional pain someone accumulates through life produce a flawed self image that inhibits that person from experiencing the enormous depths of God’s grace. There are times when personal challenges lead us to places that we never expected. She knows all about those places – and the journey of finding one’s way back through the healing grace of God.

Through an iconic career spanning more than 30 years, Sandi’s talent has literally taken her around the globe. Thirty-nine Dove awards, five Grammys, and a multitude of platinum and gold records attest to the brilliance of the vocal ability and musical gifts that have made her a household name. However, one gift – the ability to relay the depths of God’s grace, radiates through all of Sandi’s endeavors.    

The deep value of God’s grace when we feel least deserving is a lesson that is hard earned. Personal disappointment, self-inflicted and public chastisement, intimate shame – these are but a few of the obstacles that Sandi has battled in order to deliver the message that God so lovingly speaks to others as she candidly shares her personal defeats and her spiritual triumphs.

“Life is hard and we are going to make mistakes.” Sandi searched for a moment for the right words when asked what message she hopes others will take away from her life. “God is bigger than our life, and he is so much bigger than our mistakes. His grace is for you – his grace is for today.” One need only hear the emotional inflection in those heartfelt words to understand that if people get nothing else about Sandi, it’s important to her that they get that.

Album cover, "Songs for the Journey," by Sandi Patty.

As Sandi shares the lessons she’s learned through God’s enduring grace, her compassion for others caught in the snares of shame and self-loathing compels her to speak candidly about her own experiences. In her book “Layers” (Thomas Nelson, 2008), Sandi reveals the process of coming to terms with the bondage of unhealthy self-esteem and the joy of stepping into the simplicity of God’s grace.   

“I think that, in American society, we really struggle with our personal image. We don’t see ourselves the way God sees us. He calls us “beautiful.” He calls us “righteous.” He says we are made in his image. His eyes, he says, are ravaged by our beauty – but when we look at ourselves, we can’t find that image. We have to find our way to the place where we see ourselves the way God sees us.”  

Today, finding that reflection of who we are in God’s eyes may seem impossible because of our weaknesses, but Sandi’s message is one of hope. She understands the chasm between who we really are and who people expect us to be. It is important for people to cling to the Word of God and let him help them rediscover the person he created.

Sandi Pattty.

“Surround yourself with a group of friends whose walk in life has stood the test of time,” she advises. “They will teach you faith. They will ask you tough questions.” Sandi’s own turning point emerged as she leaned on the support of a group in her church and the counsel of her pastor during the most trying period of her life.

“When we are vulnerable, we can set ourselves up without realizing it. Often our most vulnerable point is found in male/female relationships. When we are hurt or wounded or even feeling lonely, we can easily gravitate toward people who will make us feel whole. In our vulnerable moments, we can easily cross boundaries that lead to inappropriate choices.”

In Sandi’s own life, she admits that the stress of career and false expectations have challenged her to find and establish healthy boundaries. “The support and love of friends who will tell you the truth and feed your faith when you feel weak is essential,” Sandi advises. 

Cover of Sandi Patty's book, "Layers."

In her book, “Layers,” Sandi urges readers to embark on a five-step process with the support and help of a trusted mentor or spiritual counselor who can nurture the reader through the process of emotional healing. The five steps are:

1. Recognition. Begin by recognizing the layers of pain and disappointment that led you to make unhealthy or unwise choices. 
2. Restitution. Seek forgiveness from anyone who has been wounded by your decisions or actions, and forgive yourself.
3. Restoration. Closure begins by accepting responsibility, which lays the foundation for healing. 
4. Revisit. As healing takes place, revisit the emotions that surrounded your unhealthy decisions. How can you avoid falling back into the same pattern?
5. Release. Choose to release the layers of guilt, shame and disappointment that accompany the mistakes you have made so that you can rediscover the “you” God created.

Sandi admits the process is challenging, but it is also rewarding. She says that, beneath those layers, one will find the freedom to live the life God intends.

“Today,” Sandi says, “I am in a place of celebration. I have found a new joy for life. I have just released a new CD (“Simply Sandi”) and am working on a new book scheduled for release next year.” Sandi also plans to release a new Christmas DVD this holiday season.