True confession: I picked up a copy of this book because of the cover. (And Kristy Cambron posted about it in a Facebook group of hers I'm in; Cambron is a fantastic author, so I often take note when she recommends something!)

Book cover and recommendation aside, though, this little devotional is a gem. Swindell's skill particularly shines as she shares about her own story, though I did enjoy the imaginative retellings of biblical stories. They defo got my own imaginative juices flowing as the stories came to life!

I'm excited to spend time in each of the 40 daily devotions, and even more importantly, in the Word. This book is a welcome addition to my devo collection.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Path to Peace is just what I've been needing these past few weeks. With bite-sized chunks of truth over forty days, this devotional digs deep into the lives of biblical saints, weaving their stories, faith, and heartache with Ann's own life circumstances. The book encourages readers on how to find real peace--by trusting God, even when we can't see what he's doing. I absolutely loved this book and found it so helpful in my walk with the Lord.

One of my goals this year has been to read a devotional every month. I’ve specifically been looking to read books that point my heart to Christ more and stir my affections towards worship. The last few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of The Path to Peace by Ann Swindell in exchange for my honest review and it’s one of my favorite devotionals I’ve read so far.

In TPTP, Ann weaves together her personal experiences with biblical narratives to point to how you can find peace in Christ no matter what your circumstances are. Ann walks through the stories of Sarah (and Abraham), Moses, Ruth, Hannah, Mary (mother of Jesus), the disciples, Mary Magdalene, and Paul. She shows how we can learn from their every day life experiences (and some not so every day life experiences) and how God is faithful in these situations. From trusting God through financial hardship to relying on him through difficult relationships to rooting yourself in him while he transforms your identity, so much of life is covered in this book in such a way to make God’s name great and give comfort to those dealing with anxiety and emotional turmoil.

One thing I appreciated about this book is that Ann doesn’t make the mistake of glorifying biblical figures, but instead uses their stories as the backdrop of God’s trustworthiness and faithfulness in equipping both those in the Bible and us today. Each person addressed is someone that is a painfully normal human, but they are still an instrument in the hands of mercy. Each situation discussed is met with the comfort of the gospel. A good example of this is of 143, which talks about Ruth’s financial needs, but also shows her spiritual needs:

“All of us will face seasons of being in need, financially or otherwise. But far past our need for practical provision, we must all come face-to-face with our truest reality of being a people desperately in need of God’s grace.

Ruth needed God’s grace as she went to glean. Our family needed his grace with our medical bills. And all of us need God’s grace today and for eternity; none of us can make our own way into heaven. We need the favor of God through the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ in order to attain the miraculous gift of salvation and eternal life in him!”

In TPTP, Ann meets you in the depths of despair and challenges of life, she sees you, and encourages you with the truth and power of the gospel. The devotions are approachable and not overly long or cumbersome, which makes it great for individual study or a group study. This book is great for new believers and those more mature in the faith. If you enjoy reading Simonetta Carr, Melissa Krueger, or Hannah Anderson, you will love Ann’s writing style.

Ann Swindell’s, Path to Peace, is a beautifully written devotional that paints inspiring portraits of the lives of Biblical saints who found peace in the steadfast care of the Lord. Ann, also, shares vulnerably and tenderly about her personal journey of finding peace in heartbreaking circumstances. This book is for anyone who is searching for a greater sense of peace, encouragement, and hope which is found in the presence of Jesus. It is one that I will return to again and again.

Ann’s beautiful writing drew me into her story and made the Biblical characters come to life for me. So often we have a very limited perspective on what it must have been like for Moses, Mary, and the Disciples, but Ann’s creative and thoughtful style fills in the gaps and draws you into these stories, bringing fresh insight and encouragement for us as we journey through our own stories that God is writing. I left each devotion feeling heard, seen, understood, and encouraged. I highly recommend this for anyone, but it will be especially helpful to people who are currently journeying through a hard season in life.

Ann has written a devotional that is needed for these chaotic days. She points the reader to the Bible and God. She reminds the reader that we are not in the struggles alone. God is our peace.

Through forty devotionals that each include fictional writing of a Biblical account, a story from Ann's life, and a reflection question, Ann Swindell invites readers to see how peace can meet them right where they are. Because of how the book is organized, one can very easily read from front to back or select a particular "day" by topic when needed most.

The Path to Peace is a beautifully written book and devotional that is easy to read and sectioned into daily readings for forty days. While I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC, I look forward to having my own copy and highlighting and referencing it for the future.

Ann Swindell's writing style is enchanting, descriptive, trusting, and well researched. Just as the title says, Ann does help the reader find and feel at peace. This book is different from others because of its specificity on the topic of peace. A lot of people need and want peace after the last few years. Additionally, the organizational structure allows for people with less time to read a little bit each day. The author even provides prompts for reflection that could be completed in a journal if the reader desired.

Thanks to Bethany House for the free book.
This is a beautiful book full of honesty, vulnerability, and the truth of God. Ann makes the biblical stories come to life with her vivid writing. It was easy to make connections between these biblical figures and my life. I also appreciated how open she was with her own personal struggles. At the end of each chapter, there is a time to reflect on how to relate the chapter to your life. I also liked the formatting of this book. It's divided into eight parts - with five days for each part. The parts help add depth to the different paths to peace. I highly recommend this one for anyone who likes having a daily devotion and could use peace due to the tumultuous past two years.

First touch with the some title from this author, I was catched by the cover and title, and I am glad to say that the content here macthes exactly with what I have imagined! It's a kind of extended devotional , with relational stories of the writer with some of the most famous characters known from the bible and what messages and thoughts We can learn from them. Good Job!

I am grateful I found this book. Swindell has a way with words to truly put readers in a peaceful mindset. With real world examples and a way to make you feel like you are a friend sharing a cup of coffee, the words truly resonated with me and were very applicable. Highly recommend to women and those looking for a mindset shift.