The book I’m reviewing this month is a little different than what I’ve done in the past in that it isn’t a parenting book, but a book about dealing with the hardships life throws at us. Even moms (me included) go through hard times that can rob us of our joy and steal our peace. Enter: Breathe Again: How to Live Well When Life Falls Apart.
From the Back Cover:
You can thrive, not just survive no matter what life throws at you.
No one gets to skip the tough stuff. Niki Hardy knows. After losing both her mother and sister to cancer, she too was diagnosed. Eventually she discovered that it was possible to find hope, peace, trust, joy, and even laughter in the midst of it all and that life doesn’t have to be pain-free to be full.
With plenty of her British humor and loads of practical advice, Niki shows you how to
- Replace soul-destroying myths of suffering with the hope-building truths of God
- Escape the suffocating mire of survival mode by learning God’s life-giving practices for thriving
- Uncover more joy, peace, comfort, and connection, despite your circumstances
- Laugh when all you want to do is cry, scream, or dive headfirst into a gallon of ice cream
Inside the Book:
Woven throughout the story, Niki’s story of her personal walk through hardship offers camaraderie with her readers who also walk difficult roads. Niki takes her readers back to the never-changing truths found in God’s word and challenges readers to denounce lies and replace them with the truths. She also offers “practices” which are practical ways we readers can practice bringing joy and hope back into our lives. At the end of each chapter, Niki adds another statement to the “Thriver’s Manifesto.” These statements are declarations we can apply to our own lives as we grow and learn to “breathe again.”
This book includes many great takeaways to apply to anyone’s life—given that we also face challenges and disappointments on one level or another. The inclusion of other people’s stories and stories of women from the Bible help to provide comfort in knowing we are not alone in the trials and struggles we face and perspective to keep us grounded. Niki’s conversational tone makes it seem like you have curled up in a comfy chair for a chitchat with a friend. All of these elements make for a great book with some great truths to take away from it that can bring hope, joy, and comfort through the tough times.
*A word of caution, as with anything, be sure to read with discernment as there are some activities mentioned that not all Christians will agree with.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book to review from the publisher. However, the views expressed in this review are my own from my own reading of the book.
