Member Reviews
I'm always so skeptical of devotionals because they tend to be saccharine and completely unrelatable. Don't even get me started on the way they often push the reader to practice spiritual bypass and toxic positivity. I often feel worse after reading than I did before.
Take Heart is different.
Each time I pick up my Kindle to read it, I'm blown away by the incredible women who choose to be vulnerable and share real life stories about everything from the struggles with body image to living with anxiety. The stories resonate with me because they are so relatable, and no one is advocating that our struggles will be totally fixed if we just fixate on Jesus. The message is more like, "Yep, struggles are a part of life. Faith doesn't fix them all, but it helps you live with them." The stories are real, and raw - but so is the intense faith presented here.
This devotional is perfect for the times we are living in, it just couldn't have come at a better time. With so much discouragement and unease we all need a little comfort. I want to thank the publisher for a free early copy of this book in exchange for sharing this post. This devotional is written by a group of authors all sharing personal stories dealing with trials and tribulations, and how we need to seek God during those times. All of the entries are so relatable, even if that particular issue isn't something that you have dealt with. If not, you mist likely know someone who has. There is comfort in knowing that we don't struggle alone, with other people and with our God.
A great devotional that I would highly recommend. Many are struggling this years due to Covid and all that goes with it so this is very timely. I am looking forward to each day of this book to refocus and be refreshed. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy.
Some of the 100 devotions are great and spoke to my heart. Others made me want to share them with friends who are going through a hard spot. These devotions are written by several women who are sharing their heart and what they have gone through. God is there for you too! I recommend Take Heart to others. I received a complimentary e-book from (in)Courage. This is my honest opinion.
100 days of devotions that will help any person through these difficult times if COVID. Being homie so much and having so much of my daily routines changed has left me feeling alone and often struggling with my emotions. This book helped remind me many are in the same place that I am. I am not alone and God is with me. This is a book of encouragement that can help during these dark and uncertain times.
This devotional is a wonderful encouragement. Each day starts with a scripture, followed by genuine stories of pain, struggles and persevering through it. A prayer follows each story which helps guide the reader to have that talk with God. I love the honesty of each writer, which is refreshing in this world of trying to look like we are perfect and put together. If you are in the midst of struggle or just need a lift, I highly recommend this devotional. Also, the cover itself is attractive, perfect to leave out on a coffee table to read and decorate.
#takeheart #netgalley
Take Heart: 100 Devotions to Seeing God When Life's Not Okay is a book full of blessings. An intentional outreach of stories from the lives of women who have walked through them. What a timely book that speaks to so many right where they are in life's journey. I'm thankful these women shared their lives with us through their devotions and heart-felt words. Being transparent and vulnerable and honest. Letting us know we are not alone as we walk through tough relationships, a difficult diagnosis, fear and anxiety, or just hearing from and relying on God.
Each devotion includes a scripture that speaks to the woman's heart and brings the story alive through God's word. The devotions provide encouragement and support through the diverse and unique ways we walk through life. You can find all of this and so much more during these next 100 days - although I found myself reading several days at a time as many of the devotions spoke to my specific situations.
I encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself or a friend, or someone you know who needs to be uplifted.
I love this book so very much! I will be ordering these for Christmas for all my friends. It's encouraging, it's relatable and I am very grateful for the chance to have read this.
This is perfect for every mama and wife, and woman, who needs encouragement, and a boost of faith in their lives.
Let me start by saying that I’m pretty picky about my devotionals. This one hooked me by the name. My life hasn’t been okay in a long time. This devotional hit so many aspects of my life and heart. It each one the author pointed me to scripture and Christ. It has been an uplifting part of my day! Thanks to each lady who shared her heart in this book to encourage me!!!
This is an excellent collection of short devotions that is supremely appropriate for the times we are in. I really identified with many of the devotions and and was impressed with the content the authors compiled for this book. These women have been where I am and expressed words of hope that is always needed especially in these troubled times. Highly recommend!!
I received this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion.
A beautiful collaboration from an amazing selection of women. I follow many of the writers within these pages so I was delighted to see their names as I made my way through each day. The length is perfect and doesn't end up being time consuming; yet each passage is thought provoking and hit me more emotionally than I expected. I appreciate the thought that went into a book like this when most devotions or even Christian books are all about the good and easy; this books hits it all even down to the nitty gritty.
These devotional are from a wide variety of writers and relate their own perspective on their Christian walk.. they are easy to read and full of encouragement. This is different than many other devotions I have read.
Let me start by telling you—I do not like women’s devotionals. I usually find them unchallenging and unsubstantial. I’m a pastor, so I like to see women growing and learning deeply in Scripture, and most books just don’t do this.
Take Heart is not most books. I’m enjoying and learning from almost every single one of the devotionals in this book. They’re written from real world experience that drew the writers into a closer relationship with God. They admit pain and doubt. They sit with women who don’t have answers. They dive into the scriptures that speak to that pain and come up with hope in their words.
I see so much depth and honest love for God in the writers, and it comes out in devotionals that will center the women who read them in faith and hope. Especially for this year—read it yourself or give someone else the gift of honesty and hope the writers of Take Heart offer. We all need it right now!
My favorite thing about this devotional is that it is raw, real and vulnerable, reaching into subjects that the Christian community sometimes likes to dust under the rug. I felt like the writers of each devo were willing to sit in my sorrow as well as my joy with me. I left each quiet time feeling revived, ready to start each day for the Kingdom. We need each other, and the transparency written in this book reminded me that God meant for us to live in community, loving on each other in spirit and truth.
Another great resource provided by the folks over at Incourage. 100 devotionals by a variety of contributors which each include a short story and a prayer. The stories help you get to know the writers on a personal, relatable level in addition to finding out what parts of the Bible they turn to when faced with a challenge. Several of the stories talk about mental health struggles, which is not always a topic that churches talk about themselves. This book would make a great gift for someone in your life that you sense just needs a little encouragement. You don't even have to know exactly what they're going through to gift it. There is such a variety of stories and topics that the receiver can easily choose what speaks to them or find a contributor that they're familiar with. This is also a resource for anyone who's interested in finding a new writer in the Christian faith to connect with.
I have really enjoyed this new devotional from the (in)courage community. When a friend shares how they experience Jesus in their own journey through pain or trial there are invaluable lessons learned and encouragement shared. The devotions in Take Heart have that “friend sharing” kind of feel as they point toward hope in the God who is always enough. The devotions are written by a diverse collaboration of authors with a wide range of life experience who share with transparency and empathy. Perfect for the stress of this crazy moment in time.
I received an ARC from the publisher for honest review.
Relatable, applicable and honest. That’s how I feel about this book. Take Heart (100 devotions...) is full of true stories that will meet you where you are in your time of need, and give you the encouragement you need to keep going, or the hug you need to keep from falling apart. (Edited to add that I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy from NetGalley & the publisher.❤️)
It is no coincidence that this devotional was published in 2020. People who weren’t struggling in life before 2020 surely are now. “Take Heart” is a must-have for every woman because we all have times when life is not okay. The 100 devotionals are packed full of hope, empathy, and truth. When times are hard, it helps to know someone else has been there and come out on the other side. Whether you are struggling with marriage, family, loss, depression, or just day-to-day life, this devotional will encourage you and point you to the One who makes everything turn out well in the end: JESUS. I plan to keep copies of this important book to give as encouragement gifts to friends in hard seasons.
Need some encouraging words to start your day, or keep you going when the times are tough? Take Heart is the perfect devotional to read in 2020 when so much of our lives seem far from normal. Many women, often in challenging circumstances, have openly shared their heart in these fairly brief entries in order to be an encouragement to someone else. This isn’t an answer book; it won’t solve your problems. But it lets you know that you are not alone in spite of feelings of uncertainty, loneliness, inadequacy, physical challenges and many other emotions which can drag us down if we don’t remember the true source of comfort for us all. This devotional has consistent reminders that we are cherished and loved with an everlasting love. I highly recommend this book, which will be released on October 20.
“… remember that God promises to be with the brokenhearted. Period. No restrictions or expiration dates.” Mary Carver, Take Heart
I received an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I have loved reading this devotional! As a disclaimer right outta the gate, I led the launch team for this book, so I am quite biased, as you can imagine! The contributing writers were raw, real, and relevant to the real, walking-around lives of women like me. They didn't gloss over their pain or suffering, or spin it to sound like they were super-spiritual. There was nothing uppity about them. Such a refreshing change from some of the devotionals I've picked up and leafed through in the past. What a gift for hurting hearts.