With all of the struggles the year 2020 has brought into our lives, we need to find something positive to cling to at these “unprecedented times.”  A lot of people have been struggling not only with the COVID-19 pandemic but loss of jobs and income as well as health issues they had prior to this virus wreaking havoc on the entire nation.  My friend is one that immediately comes to mind in this.  She has struggled with her health after developing Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, also known as PoTS.  With this came the inability to stand or sit without feeling lightheaded, nauseous, and dizzy.  Having these symptoms, she was unable to work and lost income during the weeks she sought medical help.  As if this wasn’t enough, she also had other issues that came up against her which left her feeling depressed and anxious.  After an ambulance ride to the emergency room resulting from three back to back panic attacks, she felt helpless and as if everything was out of her control.  You almost feel as if your own body has turned on you when things like this start to happen.

As you can imagine, I longed to help my friend.  I could see her sinking further and further into despair.  Wanting desperately to surround her with love and provide some sort of comfort to her, I prayed for her and over her daily.  Tears would fill my eyes when I would think of her, and I struggled to find some way to help her through this difficult time in her life.

Then along came this book, Take Back Your Life.  I love devotionals anyway, but this one grabbed my attention with the title.  I immediately thought of my friend!  As I picked it up and started thumbing through it, I realized that it was an interactive book which would allow the reader to ponder the questions asked and take time to answer from the heart.  A time of reflection is welcome, especially with what all is going on in the world today, and often time will help get us back on track.   Digging deep within our souls and providing honest answers to tough questions will open our eyes to things we have become blinded to as we go about our daily routines.

I don’t ever like to give someone a book without going through it first.  I would like to make sure the content of the book will provide encouragement and not have a message to the contrary that would bring them further down.  This was just perfect because there were TWO books in my possession now, one for my friend and one for myself.  While we wouldn’t be doing a book club together, it was comforting knowing we would be reading and applying the same material in our lives, even though we had different sets of circumstances we were trying to get through.

The day I gave her the book was one that had been extremely challenging for her.  I was not sure whether now was the right time or if I should wait, but I took a leap of faith and slipped it into her bag.  Later she commented on the book and asked right away if it was hers to keep because the first thing she does when she gets a book is to get a pen and a highlighter to mark as she goes through.  Shortly thereafter she expressed how much she appreciated the gift and how she was getting so much out of it already!  Then I knew I made the right decision for sure in giving it to her and the timing of the gift as well.

What I like about this book also is that you don’t feel rushed to get through it.  You simply take the next 40 days, a day or chapter at a time, and strive to use what you’ve learned to TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE!!

My friend still struggles with PoTS and a few other things that have plagued her, but her outlook has improved.  I’m not going to say with 100% certainty that this book “changed her life.”  But what I will say is that I believe it was one tool used to assist in changing her outlook and encouraging her in a godly way.  With lots of people praying for her, and with some new medicine, a new book, and a new outlook on life, she is showing great improvement.   I’m looking for things to completely turn around for her in the near future.  I am certain I will witness her return to the positive, bubbly, wide eyed blonde with the sparkling smile that makes everyone feel so welcome in her presence.

Click here for a great 4 day devotional for children 8 through 14 years old.

#TakeBackYourLife

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC and HCCP for providing this prize for the giveaway and review.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Thank you #FlyBy!