5 Books to Read for a Boost of Courage

Have you ever hit that moment you need an extra boost of courage? Or maybe you need some extra encouragement if you’re in a season of life where you’re feeling alone. Those seasons come and go for all of us. Authors can have a big impact on your life. Here are 5 books that have inspired me over the last year and gave me the pick-me-up I needed:

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Uninvited – Lysa TerKeurst

Do you remember that moment, as a little girl, when you seemed to be the only one that was not invited to the birthday party? I had many of those moments wishing, and longing, to be the girl that was wanted. In Lysa’s book, Uninvited, she talks about how rejection effects all of us and the fears that we hold inside that keep us captive. She talks about how we can find freedom from that rejection and into a life of being invited.

Braving the Wilderness – Brene Brown

Emotions can often pop out of nowhere. They come at unexpected times an in unexpected ways. I’ve often found myself conjuring up expectations that didn’t even exist, or putting myself down when what I really needed was self-compassion. Brene has studied shame as her life’s work as a professor. She shares her wisdom and insights in her writings. They have given me a new perspective on how I should be treating myself and others when it comes to creating a culture of emotional acceptance.

Grace, Not Perfection – Emily Ley

I am daily, sometimes hourly, having to remind me to be generous with grace. Perfectionism is one of those unattainable life pursuits that I am still recovering from. It can really pay a toll on your self-confidence, impact the way you interact with others, and give you a pessimistic view of life. In Grace, Not Perfection, Emily talks about the main areas of life we need to give ourselves more grace on daily basis. She gives practical application tips for how you can take care of yourself, and those around you, by letting this virtue blossom in your daily mindset.

Creative Confidence – Tom Kelley

Being a creative person can be really tough. As creatives, critique comes from all angles, in all shapes and sizes. People don’t always understand your art, and sometimes it can be a lonely road to walk…. but you do it anyway. The art is bursting from the inside of you and needs to be let out for the world to see. This is how I feel about my art. Creative Confidence is about taking back your confidence and sharing your creativity because you have something unique to offer the world.

Change Your Questions, Change Your Life – Marilee Adams, PhD

Questions have been an intriguing topic of study in my life over the last few years. The adjustment, or change, to a simple question can change your perspective of how the world is viewed. As I dig deeper into my study on questions, I also find that it’s one of the keys to improving communication. Being a good listener is just as important as knowing how to articulate yourself in a way the audience can understand. This book, honestly, has changed my life as I’ve started to apply the concepts of re-wording my questions and being curious about the lives of those I inquire with.

Courage comes in many forms. For me, learning about life’s joys and struggles through reading has given me the courage to forge many bumps along the way. If reading is a challenge for you, I’d encourage you to try out audiobooks. Most of the books listed above, I “read” in audiobook format.

Question: What book(s) have made an impact in your life lately?