It can be a real struggle to live peacefully and joyfully in the stressful, high-paced world we live in today. For young Christian women, it's even more of a struggle. We try to juggle life's social and emotional expectations, while still caring for ourselves and making sure everyone else is taken care of. We are commonly known to put others before ourselves, often neglecting to engage in self-care practices to ensure we are physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy. Here's a list of wonderful books that are sure to help young women take a step back and engage in a time of reflection and prayer. Some are about embracing a time of singleness, recovering from a breakup or putting God first in your relationship. They are all great reads and are in no particular order.
1. "The Right One: How to Successfully Date and Marry the Right Person" by Jimmy Evans & Frank Martin
I know what you're thinking, "How weird and cliche...no book can tell me who the 'right one' is for me." While that is true, this book focuses on how to prepare your heart to be open and willing for God to bring Mr. Right into your life. It's for people who are single and waiting for their future spouse, or for the couple who is contemplating marriage but wants to give their relationship to God and let Him lead. Whether you're single and looking for the right boyfriend, engaged to be married or in a new dating relationship, this book will help guide you towards Christ to find answers to the tough questions in your heart.
2. "The New Lady in Waiting: Becoming God's Best While Waiting for Mr. Right" by Jackie Kendall
This expanded edition of the original Lady In Waiting includes the original text, study guide, and meditation journal. We all know that waiting is hard, especially for young women. Most of us are constantly in a state of action- studying for a test, babysitting the neighbor kids, catching up with friends, etc. We need to take a step back and make some time for ourselves, to grow in God's grace and find peace in waiting patiently for whatever he has in store for us.
3. "The Mingling of Souls: God's Design for Love, Sex, Marriage & Redemption" by Matt Chandler
Matt Chandler uses his marriage and the journey through love as the inspiration for this book. He began researching God's example of love from "Song of Solomon" and intertwined the two perspectives to offer a fresh perspective on romantic love. Through attraction, dating, marriage, arguments and sorrow, Matt explores all perspectives of a Godly relationship seeking to honor Him.
4. "The Chase: Trusting God with Your Happily Ever After" by Kyle & Kelsey Kupecky
Kyle and Kelsey used their personal relationships with Christ to mold them and prepare them to be each other's future spouse. After reading their story, it is clear that God brought them together for His glory. What I love about this book is that it offers both the female and male perspective to waiting to find your spouse. They address a variety of topics from singleness, dating the wrong person and honor God within your marriage.
5. "Altared: The True Story of a She, a He, and How They Both Got Too Worked Up About We" by Claire & Eli
The authors wrote this book from such a different perspective that makes it unique from any other book you'll read about love. I won't give away too many details, but they begin by exploring what love means to God and explaining that love through a series of Biblical examples. They captivate you with their personal love story so you don't feel like you're reading a "self-help" book but a novel about how their own personal lives were intertwined through Christ. By the last chapter, you'll know exactly how God feels about marriage and if it really deserves all the pressure society places upon it.
6. "A Beautiful Season: Finding Your Identity in Christ After a Dating Relationship Ends" by Alexandra Savage
Breakups: they're awful, but we all go through them. Most times breakups are extremely painful and you're left feeling broken, sad and lonely. This book helps to bring a more positive light to the ending of a relationship and works to lead us towards Christ to find hope and joy in such a sorrowful time. The author portrays this season of life as a natural, normal period of growth and peace in Christ.
7. "Damaged Goods: New Perspectives on Christian Purity" by Dianna Anderson
Haven't we all felt shattered and damaged after a breakup? This book addresses that horrible feeling, especially after giving more of yourself to someone than you originally intended. No matter the circumstances, you'll find God's love and redemption in this powerful book. The author addresses the way we think about sex, abstinence, politics, faith and how they all intertwine.
8. "Girls with Swords: How to Carry Your Cross Like a Hero" by Lisa Bevere
The author uses this book as a call to action for Christian women everywhere. In this world we live in, there is no better time for godly women to stand up and become the heroes God created us to be. The author uses Biblical examples to empower women to take a stand for Christ and live courageous in his strength.
9. "Wild and Free: A Hope-Filled Anthem for the Woman Who Feels She is Both Too Much and Never Enough" by Jess Connolly & Hayley Morgan
Two godly women joined together to write an empowering message to uplift every Christian woman. They acknowledge that women often feel they are too much, but never enough. Have you felt that way in your life before? I know I have. It seems that we give 110 percent in everything that we do, but it's never good enough.This book was just released on May 3, and I have been to three bookstores and still can't find it! It seems that more people than me want this book! So run, don't walk, to get your copy!
Lastly, don't forget the most important book - the Holy Bible. God's Word is the most important, truthful book you will ever read. No matter what you need advice about, what question you have, or what situation may come up in your life, God has the answer to speak straight to your soul. Don't ever forget that God loves you. You are his child, a daughter of the King, When you read any of these books, ask God to open your heart and use this text to speak his truth into your life.
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