Despite the guide’s brevity, readers will find it overflowing with useful information and exercises. Sexton urges transparency, using her own experience of sexual abuse as inspiration for readers to explore the traumas impacting their ability to lead a meaningful life, and she is careful to allow readers the space to individualize biblical concepts for their own needs. Those struggling with depression—including suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors—will find Sexton’s welcoming attitude refreshing, and her acknowledgement that “life is hard, it is messy, and it hurts, but it is worth living” is comforting. She’s frank about the lies we often tell ourselves, such as “things will never be better” or “judging others is harmless,” and above all, she emphasizes the need for personal grace and empathy—alongside a solid sense of God’s love as unconditional and restorative.
Sexton’s journal prompts and guided learning questions—all accompanied by corresponding biblical verses and themes—will spark deep thought for readers, and there’s ample space to jot down notes and reflections. Backmatter is both practical and informative: Sexton lists potential alternatives to self-harm, several national resources (the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, among others), and recommendations for further study on setting healthy boundaries. This is a well-rounded, practical devotional that takes on critical issues in an inviting way.
Takeaway: This Christian devotional offers meaningful inspiration for real-life problems.
Great for fans of: Tanya Rad and Raquelle Stevens’s The Sunshine Mind, Priscilla Shirer’s Awaken.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
