Our goal as followers of Christ is to conform more and more to the image of Jesus. We long to be healthy and whole, to be who He created us to be. One way we do this is by moving through the world as emotionally healthy people.
We are try-hard girls who long to become grace girls because grace-girls pay attention to their emotions. Grace-girls know when something is rumbling in their souls. Grace-girls talk to their friend Jesus when they do not feel like themselves.
To that end, I offer these book recommendations and resources for those who want to grow in emotional health.
You’ll learn what each book is about (all the “About” sections are from Amazon.com), why you’ll love it, and whether the book is secular or faith-based.
The FCC requires that I tell you that I’m an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don’t worry there’s no added cost to you! Also, all the “About” descriptions are taken from Amazon.
Books
Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman
About: “In Grace for the Good Girl, Emily Freeman invites women to let go of the try-hard life and realize that in Christ we are free to receive from him rather than constantly try to achieve for him. With an open hand and a whimsical style, Emily uncovers the truth about the hiding, encouraging women to move from hiding behind girl-made masks and do-good performances to a life hidden with Christ in God.”
Why you’ll love it: When you are tired of hiding behind the masks of fake fine, responsibility, and strength, picking up this book is your next right step. For those of us tired of performing and keeping it all together for Jesus, this book is a welcome relief from the performance culture in which we live and breathe.
Secular/Faith-based: Faith-based
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
About: “Scazzero found two truths to be true: you can’t be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature, and unless you slow and quiet your life down for a first-hand relationship with Jesus Christ, little change is possible.”
Why you’ll love it: Have you ever read a book and thought, “How does the author know all this about me?” That was this book for me, and I’m 99.9% sure it will prove true for you. If you’ve ever pushed down your emotions, avoided God by serving Him, or believed that you’re loved because of what you do, get thee to the bookstore to pick up this book!
Secular/Faith-based: Faith-based
A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman
About: “As people made in the image of a creative God, we all have something unique to offer the world and it will come out in a million little ways. In this book, bestselling author Emily P. Freeman will help you: turn fuzzy vocational dreams into current reality, respond to your critics with bravery and hopeful discernment, catch a fresh sense of motivation for the work you do everyday, and move into the world as the person you most deeply are.”
Why you’ll love it: Your life doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s life. There are a million different ways that you can reflect Christ to others. For those who want to do what they’ve been created to do, this book gives you the permission to do it in the most grace-filled and gentle way.
Secular/Faith-based: Faith-based
Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff, Ph.D.
About: “More and more, psychologists are turning away from an emphasis on self-esteem and moving toward self-compassion in the treatment of their patients—and Dr. Neff’s extraordinary book offers exercises and action plans for dealing with every emotionally debilitating struggle, be it parenting, weight loss, or any of the numerous trials of everyday living.”
Why you’ll love it: You will never learn more about self-compassion and it’s importance than by reading this book. This is my go-to resource when I want to offer kindness and gentleness to my own heart. Neff’s words will revolutionize your ability to offer yourself grace. If author Brene Brown calls this book “transformative,” you know it’s true!
Secular/Faith-based: Secular
Emotional Agility by Susan David
About: “Written with authority, wit, and empathy, Emotional Agility serves as a road map for real behavioral change—a new way of acting that will help you reach your full potential, whoever you are and whatever you face. Emotional agility is a revolutionary, science-based approach that allows us to navigate life’s twists and turns with self-acceptance, clear-sightedness, and an open mind.”
Why you’ll love it: For those of us tired of our emotions leaking out in unhealthy ways and are tired of our feelings driving the bus, this is the book for you! If you want to learn to acknowledge what you feel, make peace with it, and live in wisdom about your feelings (vs stuffing them down or pushing them away), please pick up this book today.
Secular/Faith-based: Secular
Resources to find a Christian counselor
- Association of Biblical Counselors
- American Association of Christian Counselors
- Global Counseling Network