October Book Recommendations

Here are this month’s book recommendations. I hope they’ll be a blessing to you. Happy reading! 

 

Fiction – 

Never Doubt a Duke by Regina Scott

If you like Regency romance with a little mystery, you’ll enjoy this fun story about a widow-turned governess. After her years married to a cavalry officer, Jane is rough around the edges – and not what the duke expects as a governess. But she’s exactly what the widower and his daughters need. This story has humor, fun characters, a little villainy, a unicorn (with a little imagination), and a happily ever after. 

 

Non-Fiction – 

Finding Grace by Larry Randolph 

I really enjoyed this memoir about a man who started a therapy dog ministry. The book follows his story from when God first spoke the words “therapy dogs” to him, through more than a decade of service, and gradually building a global ministry. Some of the experiences he shared brought tears, and others made me laugh. This book is an encouraging read about the unexpected and meaningful things God can do through us when we willingly follow His voice.

 

Children’s – 

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis 

This is my favorite of all the Narnia books! The story follows an orphan boy who sets out to find Narnia with the help of a talking horse. Along the way, he makes new friends, gets mistaken for a prince, has to cross a desert, is chased by a lion, and ultimately helps save Archenland from invasion. This classic story is one I enjoy rereading often! 

 

Guest Post – How to Replace Anxious Thoughts with God’s Peace

I’m happy to share a guest post with you today from a new friend! I hope you’ll be encouraged by what she shares. 

 

How to Replace Anxious Thoughts with God’s Peace

By Catherine McDaugale

 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

–Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV)

Anxiety sometimes creeps into your mind when you’re not paying attention. When it does, you may not recognize it until your thoughts begin to spiral, you feel overwhelmed and inadequate, you can’t seem to catch your breath, or your stomach feels like it’s tied into knots. Or maybe that’s just me.

It’s a tactic of the enemy to immobilize you. He wants you to be fearful and ineffective.

You can set up guards against anxiety by putting on the spiritual armor that God has provided (Ephesians 6:13–18). But what do you do if it’s already there?

Pray, dear friend. That’s the answer. God is the One who can help you. And He is near to those who call on Him (Psalm 145:18).

Your prayer may start with something simple like, Dear God, please help me. But then remember the verses in Philippians 4:6–7 and pray through them.

Tell God why you’re anxious. Talk to Him about everything that’s going on: what you think and how you feel about it. Ask Him to help you with it.

Then thank Him for the ways He’s helped you in the past. Think about the amazing things He’s already done for you.

 

He’s saved you.

He’s forgiven you.

Your future is eternally secure in Him.

His Holy Spirit lives inside you, and He will help you.

 

Praise God for those miracles. Then acknowledge the everyday ways He works in your life. For example, you could thank Him for the food He provides, a beautiful flower you saw on a walk, or a friend you met for lunch. Thank Him for all the ways He’s been good to you.

Then follow Paul’s instruction in Philippians 4:8 about the things you should meditate on. Fill your mind with things that are noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Those include who God is and all of the amazing things He’s revealed to us in the Bible.

As your mind is fixed on God, His peace – His supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding – will replace your anxiety. God has promised that He will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3).

Memorize Philippians 4:6–8. Write those verses on a sticky note or an index card so you can carry them around with you. Then when you start to feel anxious, pray through those verses to help you walk by faith with Him.

 

 

Catherine McDaugale is an author and Bible teacher who is active in the women’s ministry at her church. She loves to help other women draw closer to Jesus so they can experience the joy and peace of walking by faith with God all day, every day. You can find her devotionals at: https://walkbyfaithwithgod.com/blog/.