Take Courage, Dear Heart

Author: Sheena Heinrichs
Genre: Christian Living
Pages: 140
Release Date: April 19, 2024
Publisher: Called Creatives Publishing

In the battlefields of sorrow, disappointment, and pain, the Christian wants a sovereign God to prevent them but watches Him do something infinitely more beautiful, instead. He whispers, courage, dear heart, guiding us forward and transforming us. This transformation can never occur if we remain hidden in fear.

Take Courage, Dear Heart intertwines personal life stories with biblical teachings on bravery, reminding us that:
​
-God's call to courageous obedience is not a whimsical demand from an uncaring deity but an invitation of a kind, faithful Father.
-This call is an opportunity to engage directly with God's plans, reassured by His constant presence and guidance every step of the way.
-Embracing courage allows us to experience God's power in our weaknesses, revealing how our trials are platforms for His strength and grace.

Through these pages, you'll begin a journey of discovering God's unfailing strength in you moments of fear, learning how true courage guides you toward the heart of His divine plan for your life.

---

Reviewer: Katie Slocum

This book was a help to me after experiencing a sudden loss this year. It does take courage to face our fears and darkest times. But, as the author states, it is something every Christian is called to. The emphasis is on God leading and doing the work, while we have the courage to follow obediently.

Each chapter addressed a different difficult situation that requires courage. I could not relate to them all, but the ones I could were helpful, and the ones I could not held good information to tuck away for later. Plenty of scripture was included, along with footnotes for sources used, much of which was by C.S. Lewis.

The author’s personal stories helped get the point across in a memorable way while keeping the topics from getting too heavy. Discussion questions at the end are useful for individual readers or book clubs. There was a lot packed into less than 150 pages, but it was still easy to read, and there was plenty that I could apply to things I am dealing with right now.

I was not particularly fond of the opening quotes for each chapter. Many of the names quoted were unfamiliar to me, and sometimes I did not see the connection between the quote and the chapter topic. It seemed out of place to quote musicians such as Taylor Swift and Pink in a book like this. I would have much preferred simple Bible verses or leaving it out altogether. There was also a mention of her Enneagram number, which is a huge turn-off for me but was thankfully brief.

The main idea of allowing the Lord to build courage in us to get through life’s trials when they come is an important one that is not taught often enough. Overall, I enjoyed the book and can see myself referencing it again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

---