Reviewed by: Elizabeth Hartmann, a Professional Writing student at Taylor University in Upland, IN

Introduction

Title: Courage, Dear Heart: Letters to a Weary World

Author: Rebecca K. Reynolds

Publisher: NavPress

Publication Date: 2018

Format: Print Book

Length: 206 pages

OVERVIEW

Are you tired of fluffy feel-good answers that only leave you feeling more lost and alone? Are you tired of “Christians” ignoring the world and pretending a little “Jesus” dust will fix all the brokenness?

If you’re looking for honesty and truth amid a sea of lies and empty promises, this is the book for you. Courage, Dear Heart is written for weary hearts tired of a broken world and addresses topics like abuse, rejection, fear, doubt, and much more. Unlike many Christian books, this one doesn’t try to stick a Band-Aid over the gaping wounds on our hearts. It doesn’t offer easy answers or simple solutions to the mosaic of brokenness that we find ourselves in, yet it provides the deeper nourishment with the ultimate Hope.

It approaches pain and suffering like the prophets Jeremiah and Habakkuk did—lamenting the brokenness, crying out to God, but humbly trusting in His sovereignty, without minimizing the pain. This book is packed with emotions and feeling backed by stout theology and logic. To make things even better, Reynolds uses tons of quotes from incredible writers and pieces of literature including C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, J. R.R. Tolkien, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Les Misérables, Star Wars, Marvel films, and many more.

This quote from the book gives an insight into the honest way these topics are addressed: “Instead of lying to God about how much I trust him (if I don’t), praying forced prayers (that I don’t really mean), and trying to pull the wool over God’s eyes and my own, I bring my doubt, weakness, and sorrow straight to my Maker and let him be the Father that he is.”

This book truly gives courage to weary, broken hearts, lets us know that we aren’t alone, and confirms that we have a loving God who cares and will walk with us through the depths and mire of this world.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

5 stars

Suggested Audience

This book is for weary hearts. Anyone who feels crushed, shattered, and exhausted from all the pain and sorrow in this world and is wondering if hope can really be found. This book might also appeal to teenagers who are tired of the church shying away from these topics and who don’t want simplistic, unhelpful answers.

Christian Impact

Christian books have a reputation of giving cheesy answers and ignoring difficult topics. Answers the cry of broken Christians trying to reconcile their faith with the brokenness in their hearts. It is a book for weary souls trying to trudge along the path to the open arms of Christ.

Interested in reviewing a book, movie, album, or other type of media for our website? We would love to hear from you! Find out more about how to submit media reviews.