Her Faith Thrives

We are already almost halfway through the year! Can you believe it? One of the things that stands out to me at this mid-way point is the opportunity to take stock. So often some aspects of the first half of the year have gone as well or better than anticipated but there are inevitably some challenging things that have caught us by surprise. In this post, I am rounding up my top 5 reads (so far in 2024) and sharing what kind of encouragement they offered.

As I read each of these books, I must admit I didn’t really intend to read them all in the time frame that I did. They were just the next right thing to read based on various things happening at the time. Isn’t it a blessing that God gives us what we need when we need it? If you need encouragement on themes of endurance in the faith, lament, forgiveness, and joyful service in motherhood; I pray these resources are a blessing to you!

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop

I have had this book on my wishlist for a long time and finally got to listen to it. The author deals with the uniquely Christian practice of lament. He draws out the rhythm of lament based on the Psalms and the book of Lamentations in a wonderfully practical manner.  This is the first book of its kind that I have read and I loved how approachable and comprehensive it is. The author also shares a wealth of experience and insight from his interactions with hurting people in his pastoral ministry. Furthermore, he has also written a journal that explores 15 Psalms of lament and guides you through the process of writing your own lament with the Psalms as a guide. The journal was easy to use and deepened my understanding of what I learned in the book.  If you are wondering how to work through the various sorrows in your life honestly and in ways that line up with the Christian faith you profess, this is an invaluable resource. 

Humble Moms: How the Work of Christ Sustains the Work of Motherhood – Kristen Wetherell 

This short and powerful volume was an encouraging listen for me! Motherhood has been  a great training ground for godliness. God has used my motherhood journey to expose character flaws and sin tendencies that I need to overcome. This journey has been a great reminder of God’s grace not only to save us but also deliver us from the power of sin through making us more like Christ. Humble Moms walks through the ways the gospel  applies to motherhood. The author weaves specific truths from the book of John with heart-exposing insights into the challenges we face in motherhood. The hopeful and pragmatic tone she takes, makes the book not only encouraging but also inspiring. After reading this book, I found myself entering the tasks of motherhood with greater peace and prayerful  determination to please the Lord and love my children as He has loved me.  If you are looking for soul nourishing, truth filled encouragement in your motherhood journey, pick up this book. 

Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds – Chris Brauns

This is the most challenging book I have read this year so far. Forgiveness is a difficult topic and there is some controversy on what a Christian approach to forgiveness should be. I appreciated that the author sought to start with scripture to lay  the groundwork for understanding forgiveness and then used a variety of examples to apply the principles of forgiveness practically. One of the most useful things the author does is define forgiveness. He then expounded on each part of the definition with biblical truth and examples. He also anticipates questions and objections to the principles he lays out and addresses those thoroughly. I was very impressed by his comprehensive approach and the scholarly integrity to take on complex issues head on without cutting corners.

I read this book while I was pregnant and in that season I was more prone to feel anxious about bad things happening. So my only caveat with this book is that it has some very difficult stories in it. I had to skip over the details of some of them to keep from fueling anxiety. Even with that, the book was still one of the most thought provoking and convicting ones I have read. I hope you will add it to your reading list! 

The Pilgrim’s Progress – John Bunyan

This is a reread! The first half of this allegorical book talks about Christian’s pilgrimage to the Celestial City and the second half deals with his wife Christiana and her children. I listened to the book and was encouraged by Christiana’s pilgrimage. I usually draw a lot from Christian’s story but this time the differences between his story and hers stood out. In Christiana’s pilgrimage, it was encouraging to see how the author captured the strengths and weaknesses of women based on their nature and their roles in singleness, as  wives, and as mothers. This is one of the books I aim to read at least once a year and it does not disappoint! 

Hinds feet in High Places – Hannah Hurnard

This allegory is another frequent reread for me. I listened to it at a time when my day to day life felt very busy and overwhelming. It was a good reminder that God uses the challenges we face to transform us into capable vessels for His glory. I found myself strengthened as I considered the main character, Much Afraid, as she journeyed  to the High Places from the Valley of Humiliation despite her physical limitations and her propensity to fear. The roles of the Great Shepherd and her companions Sorrow and Suffering in her journey continued to be instructive for me.  

Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned in the first half of this year is perseverance in what is true. It is true that our Christian walk will have restful and challenging moments but like Christiana and Much Afraid we must keep taking steps forward trusting our God to continually strengthen us for the journey. From Kristen Wetherell’s volume, we learn to consider Christ’s example of perseverance and pattern our lives after him as we lay down our lives in motherhood. Mark Vroegopp teaches us the rhythm of lament so that in times of pain, we can offer up honest prayers that lead to greater trust in God. He gives us a path toward perseverance in pain. Chris Brauns fills in what is lacking in a Christian understanding of forgiveness and helps us learn what godly perseverance looks like in the context of relational hurt. My prayer for all of us is that we can take hold of the grace offered here and continue to press on in our faith.

P.S: We cannot persevere in the truth when we are not engaging in God’s word deeply! If you are wanting to deepen your engagement in God’s word, check out the free resource From Routine to Reverence! In it you will find simple prompts that can help you take the next step in engaging deeply in God’s word.

Did any of these titles stand out to you?

Let us  know in the comments and share your impressions of any you have read! 

These impressions are not an endorsement of all the different authors’ works. These short impressions also do not give a comprehensive view of everything I thought about all that was presented in the books. If any of these titles stand out to you, read the book for yourself, staying alert to make sure you judge the content through the lens of what is in line with the Bible.

For Further Encouragement

Were you encouraged by this blog post? I would love to connect with you on our special Her Faith Thrives Newsletter which goes out every other month.  In each newsletter, I share a short reflection about how I’m growing in my faith during this season of life. Plus, I’ll be sending you some fantastic resources to inspire and guide you on your own faith journey. When you subscribe, you will receive my all-time favorite tool for making your Daily Quiet Time truly meaningful. It’s called “From Routine to Reverence: 3 Simple Steps to a Deeper Daily Quiet Time.” I can’t wait to hear how it helps you deepen your time in God’s Word.