Battle Ready

Author: Kelly Balarie
Genre: Spiritual Growth

Too often we fail to prepare for our battles. So when challenges, troubles, or opportunities arise, we rapidly become burdened with limiting thoughts of self-doubt, fear, impossibility, and lack. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can train our minds to conquer uncertainty, beat insecurity, and step past the tragedies of yesterday.

Battle Ready is a hands-on scriptural plan that teaches you twelve easy-to-implement, confidence-building mind-sets designed to transform your thoughts and, therefore, your life.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

I will admit I found it very difficult to identify with almost everything written in this book. It was so "feelings" based that it took me several weeks to read it. Time and again I would put the book down in frustration, yelling aloud, "Do women really think like this?" 

I soon came to discover that this book was not written for a senior woman like myself (but more likely for Millennial's) and that brought me up short a bit because that told me I had somehow lost touch with what young people are thinking, feeling and processing these days. Most of the questions the author asks are not something I found applicable to my life at all. But I'm sure if it had come to me 30 years ago this would be a different review. 

I knew I would have a difficult time with this book after the first few pages. I thought the name "Battle Ready" would have something to do with putting on the armour of God and so that alone intrigued me. But such was not the case.

The author immediately lets us into her thought life, and I was stunned that a Christian had thoughts as she did. As I continued reading, it amazed me even further that maybe all women think as she does. I feel like somewhat of an anomaly, and I guess I'm relieved. I take people's actions and words at face value. I do not put a lot of time and effort into thinking what their motives are or why they act as they do. I also don't put a lot of thought into what I'm thinking or how I'm behaving towards others because I've spent my life following the golden rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," and so it boggles my mind that a book would be needed to tackle profound, personal questions about how we behave and think and feel as ambassadors for Christ.

Yes, life can get messy. Yes, we can have impatient outbursts and yes we fail. But that's life! You are not failing as a Christian if you mess up. You are learning (if you are walking in the Spirit) from those mistakes on how not to behave. You learn, you move on. And I guess that is the point of this book. To get one's self "battle ready" in the mind so that you can withstand whatever troubles, calamities (or even opportunities) that come your way.

The back cover says, "Battle Ready is a hands-on scriptural plan that teaches you twelve easy-to-implement, confidence-building mind-sets designed to transform your thoughts and, therefore, your life." However, there is nothing very scriptural about it. There are no Bible passages to study and examine and apply to your life, only questions about your life and your feelings. So many questions! So many feelings!

However, if you are struggling as a Christian to see what Jesus has done for you, to appreciate His sacrifice, to walk with Him through this messy life - and you are under 30, you might like this type of book. With thousands of questions to probe your deepest thoughts, the author will not let you get away with excuses on why you aren't living your life to the fullest in Jesus Christ. She does throw in some Scripture verses here and there, but for the most part, this book is a lesson in how to probe your deepest thoughts, wants and desires and turn them into following Jesus.

This is not a book to read in one sitting, nor is it a Bible study. There is is nothing deeply theological about it at all. It is simply taking all the bad things you think about yourself and others, including all your bad habits, etc. and turning them into positives (through and because of Jesus of course). Battle Ready is a thorough pep talk for Christian women to stop believing lies from the enemy and start trusting in Christ. 

If you have walked with Jesus for a very long time and you are used to in-depth Bible studies, this book will probably be something you've been doing all your life, and you may find it a bit shallow. However, if you are a new Christian and are struggling to figure it all out, Battle Ready might be just what you need to help you gain perspective on how to live the life Christ called you to.

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