Where's the Nearest Day Spa? :Renewing the Anxious Heart, by Emily Smith

3 Stars

 

ABOUT THE BOOK -

Is your life filled with stress?

Are you keeping a frantic pace,

desperately seeking peace and calm for your world, yet finding none? 

Discover how looking to God for the R&R you need is so much better

than even a trip to the day spa!

Find the “piece” you’re missing with this book where you’ll be challenged and encouraged to view your worries and fears from a different perspective. . .

Where you find the peace and rest God offers.

Where you know the love of a Father who promises to meet your needs.

Where you leave your worries in the hands of the One who can handle it all.

     This insightful and often humorous look at life will inspire you to walk in the freedom of the God who made you. You are cared for!

You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep.

No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.

Proverbs 3:21 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Emily lives just outside Indianapolis with her husband, Eric, of four years. Eric leads worship at their church and Emily sings with the band. She has been blogging for Circle of Friends for three years and has devotionals published in "Shared Blessings" and "Shared Hope." She is also the author of "Where's the Nearest Day Spa? Renewing the Anxious Heart" set to be released from Barbour Publishing in July 2012. She and Eric are also expecting their first child in July. She loves laughing with her husband, spending time with her family, and if she ever finds the time she's determined to find an interesting hobby to put in her bios. 

MY REVIEW -

This was a nice, quick, satisfying read. I think this would be great for a new or "young Christian" or for someone who needs to be reminded that God is there for them. While this was a very enjoyable book for me it was nothing new. What I did like about it was in the beginning of each chapter she wrote little humorous anecdotes from life experiences that you could really relate to. These were cute and did make me giggle. The rest of each chapter were bible verses related to each subject and how to apply them to everyday life.

The first chapter was - worry and how worry is a sin.

The second chapter is - Trust, about how we trust others so readily (like our hairdresser) but are not so willing to fully trust God.

Chapter 3 - Unconditional love, like how when you get a bad haircut your mom loves you anyway and thats how God loves you!

Chapter 4 - Be prepared - "While it is clear we are not to fret about little things in life, there is something to be said about being prepared." God will always be there for you but you must also do the homework.

Chapter 5 - Fear - "Remember when you woke up one morning in Jr. highschool and a gigantic zit had made its grand appearance overnight?"

Chapter 6 - Peace - "Isn't that what we are all looking for? Moments of peace in our hectic day?A quite mind in the midst of a stress and anxiety?" 

There were questions at the end of each chapter to help you think about what you learned and a place to write notes.

I really loved that there was a "Scripture index at the end of the book! This was so very handy. I wish all devotional books had this.

The biggest thing I did not like about this book was probably not the authors fault. I got this in e-book form and while very pretty - the blue writing against the light blue pages were VERY hard to read! I tried several things to make it better but nothing worked. I ended up blowing up every page very large just I could see the words. Probably if you got a regular book it would not be this hard to read.

THE ALL-IN-ALL -

All in all it was a nice book to read and I did enjoy it. I just don't feel like I learned anything new, but... I am also not a worrier! I am always saying "Worry is a sin. Does worrying make you feel better? Does worrying help solve the problem? Then what purpose does it serve to worry?" I guess if you are a worrier this book might help put your mind at ease. But just like any other "self help" book you have to use it correctly. You can't just read it, you have to actually apply it to your life.

Thank you Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for sending me this e-book to review.

You can get it from Amazon - HERE

or from B&N - HERE