William Paul Young: Author of "The Shack" Shares His Healing Journey With Oprah Winfrey by Stephanie Cannoe

William Paul Young, the author of "The Shack," shared his healing journey with Oprah Winfrey on Super Soul Sunday. He explained that, “The process of transformation is not about becoming something we weren’t, it’s about unveiling who we were the entire time.” In his book, he describes this further: “Pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly. And if it’s unresolved for too long, you even forget that you are supposed to fly in the first place.” 

Young realized that the shame he was holding onto because of the sexual abuse he suffered as a child created gaping holes and an unhealthy longing for unconditional love. The secrets he did not dare to share remained in the shadows as unmet needs, which translated to constantly seeking love and approval from others. In his delusion, he had a destructive affair with his wife’s best friend. 

When he was caught, his heart broke wide open and he knew he was ready to know the truth and the choice was clear. He could either die with his shame and lies or he could become accountable to the truth and allow spirit to reveal who he really is. He describes this as "falling into trust," to begin to believe in your inherent worth and to know that the opposite of more is enough. 

Most people can’t let go of their hurt and move forward, so everything gets defined by their pain, but when the way of your being matches the truth of your being, you unveil who you were the entire time. Part of the journey is to allow "God with skin," meaning loving and supporting people, into the wounds we carry because of our shame and to let love into those spaces to heal.

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