More Books for the Journey
Books are a very important piece of personal growth.
There was a time that I purposefully ignored all the growth books around me because I had a feeling I knew what they would tell me. I knew once I started on the journey to growth, things would change. I would change.
Life would change.
The term “self-help books” has a negative reputation in most Christian circles. There is some fear and some trepidation about actually diving in to how our brain, emotions, body, and heart work, process and hurt the life happening around us.
Yet, as I dove in, I found these books to be life-giving, helpful in all the right ways, valuable, and the key to my growth as a daughter of God.
We do ourselves a great disservice by choosing not to read genres of non-fiction, self-help, or spiritual guidance books.
We limit growth by not challenging ourselves with outside perspectives and thoughts.
Reading these kinds of books, the books I have listed below, goes perfectly hand-in-hand with therapy, counseling, trauma work, and unraveling spiritual and emotional challenges or abuse.
Learning from these authors is honestly one of the best ways to grow. There personal stories, testimonies, faith journeys and real-life, evidence-based guidance can’t be replaced in one-hour a week sessions.
This is where the work happens. Books, podcasts, youtube videos, your Bible, your journal, your prayer life, and your personal determination to see real change in your life.
Early on, my counselor would tell me about a book or two during a session. I’d come back the next week and want to talk about those books! She’d laugh and say, “You are one of the only ones who actually reads the books I suggest!”
By the end, I was telling her about new books and she’d get excited to write down the titles and authors I was telling her about.
By the end, she told me that all of my reading gave me a solid foundation and education in all things mental health.
All of that, mixed in with a strong, personal relationship with God, brings so much healing to heart, soul and mind.
I have this book list already, from early in my journey. Feel free to go browse that one.
Another List for the journey
First, go grab your Kindle Unlimited membership to get many of these titles for free!
Then, having a journaling Bible in this growth process is a beautiful, helpful thing on your healing journey. Grab my favorite one here.
The books are in no particular order so make sure you read all the way to the end. Each one is impactful in a specific way.
1} Is God Speaking to Me by Lysa Terkeurst – still one of my favorite authors and teachers. Podcast, youtube, instagram… all of it. You’ll learn so much.
2} Healing Every Day by Mary DeMuth – This one is perfect to get in print and have it by your bed for morning or night reading. There were some days that I read it both morning AND night.
3} Boundaries in Marriage by Cloud and Townsend – you can read literally any of their books. I have benefited from them all. Necessary Endings is in my TBR pile right now.
4} Trust by Henry Cloud – This book was life-changing. In many areas of life. “Rich with wisdom drawn from decades of experience in clinical practice, business consulting and research, Trust is the ultimate resource for managing this most complex and fundamental of human bonds, allowing us to experience more fruitful and rewarding relationships in every area of our lives.” I couldn’t agree more.
5} The Path to Wholeness by Dr. Mark Mayfield – This book is about slowing down and learning to look at your emotions, learning how to express and process all the emotions in life.
6} Brave Enough to be Broken by Toni Collier – This book is “a biblical road map you can use to heal from the pain, the shame, and the regrets that have tried to steal your joy, so you can rest in the unconditional love, healing, and hope of Jesus.” This is a beautiful, brave book to read.
7} The Pandora Problem and Escaping Enemy Mode by E. James Wilder – Both are hard to read, a bit uncomfortable and direct. Especially when it comes to church leadership, the human heart, narcissism and our inner world. But both books were huge steps of growth and learning for me personally. I highly recommend them.
8} The Night is Normal by Alicia Britt Chole – I think her books will always be on my lists. Take your time reading this one and allow God’s truth to go deep in your heart.
9} 10 Life-Saving Principles for Women in Difficult Marriages by Karla Downing – “Sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way we expect. Neither do our marriages. After the honeymoon ends, some women find themselves in difficult marriages.” Read this one.
10} Daring Greatly by Brene Brown – This is one my counselor encouraged me to read. I’m so glad she did.
11} All My Knotted Up Life by Beth Moore – Reading Beth’s story was challenging, heart-breaking and real. I gained clarity and help through reading her words and her story. Sit down with this one on a rainy day.
12} The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown – Oh, yes. Read this. Maybe twice. Take notes, highlight and soak it all in.
13} It’s Not You by Dr Ramani – If you’ve experienced toxic or unhealthy relationships, and you’re tired of reading books about all the issues, this book is for you, to tell you how to heal, how to grow, how to keep going or walk away in health.
14} What Made That Feel So Hard? by Lauren Wells – This can be a very helpful book to process emotions, for yourself or with your family. Lauren guides you through the process of unstacking so that you can move forward in healthier ways.
15} The Book of Common Courage by K.J. Ramsey – If you can, get this one in hardcover. It’s a beautiful, coffee table style book with prayers and poems and scriptures. You can read this one before bed, too. It’s beautiful and calming.
16} Fast Like A Girl by Dr. Mindy Pelz – I have to add this book! With this, and the journal for the book, you’ll learn so much about your body, hormones, health and the science of fasting for your whole health. Amazingly helpful. Get this book! My next read from her is The Menopause Reset. Yes, my friends… we’re this age now.
17} Dealing with the CrazyMakers in Your Life by Dr. David Hawkins – Ok, I love Dr. Hawkins. Truly, between youtube, zoom sessions and his books, he has been a calming, strong, helpful voice in my life. Godly, clear, concise and wise. Thank you, Dr. Hawkins, for speaking into my story.
18} The Emotionally Destructive Marriage by Leslie Vernick – I also can’t thank her enough for the wisdom she gives through her books and podcasts. She speak truth into darkness and light into the hard places of Christian marriages. Her work is applicable in many ways to lots of unhealthy relationships.
19} The Emotionally Healthy Woman by Geri Scazzero – Read any and all of the emotionally healthy books by the Scazzero’s. But this book, specifically for a woman in ministry, spoke volumes to my personal, spiritual health.
20} Forgiveness After Trauma by Susannah M. Griffith – This book “helps readers understand this command in ways that are healing and restorative, framing it within broader concerns around lament, anger, accountability, release and rebirth, and reconciliation.” It’s so very good.
21} I Hurt by Gary Morais – If you order this one, contact me. I’d love to help you with your Equipping Profile that goes along with the book and shows you where you are, through a detailed graph, in each of the specific areas in the book. I’d love to walk through the book with you!
22} I Shouldn’t Feel This Way by Dr. Alison Cook – I will forever recommend ALL of her books. And her podcast. Read and listen. Have pen and paper ready!
23} Embracing the Autism Spectrum by Dr. Stephanie Holmes – This is a must read. Dr. Stephanie “invites readers on a transformative journey into the realm of neurodiversity. Whether you’re a family living with autism, an educator seeking to enhance your inclusive practices, or a dedicated advocate, this book offers invaluable insights and strategies to promote healthy neurodiverse marriages and families.” She has a new one coming out this summer called, “Uniquely Us: Gracefully Navigating the Maze of Neurodiverse Marriage”
I might come back and add a few more books but this is a fantastic list to get you started on your journey to health.
Which one will you start or order today?
Which book stands out as a must read?