100 DAYS TO BRAVE Book Review and a New Year’s Challenge

by Sally Matheny

In what area of your life do you crave courage? If you’re like me, you’re feeling a tug in a certain direction but, for whatever reason, you’re lacking the confidence to move forward. Have I got a book recommendation for you!

100 DAYS TO BRAVE, written by Annie F. Downs, is a compilation of devotions for “unlocking your most courageous self.”

How good is this book? Well, let’s just say I read one hundred devotions in thirty days. The devotions build on one another and unfold like a story. Downs intrigued me so I couldn’t stop reading after just one devotion a day.

The one hundred devotions cover eleven areas:

Brave Enough to Start

Brave Enough to Be You

Brave Enough to Believe God

Brave Enough to Dream

Brave Enough to Work Hard

Brave Enough to Love Others

Brave Enough to Face Change

Brave Enough to Persevere

Brave Enough to Pursue Healing

Brave Enough to Serve

Brave Enough to Be Where You Are

Brave Enough

The author includes personal experiences in most of the devotions to illustrate a point. She bravely exposes our fears and offers helpful encouragement on how to maneuver past them.

Encased in a beautiful hardcover, each devotion is about 400 words in length. Each begins with a short scripture and ends with a call to action.

I highly recommend this book. While men would certainly glean encouragement from it, I believe it is best suited for women. Even though the author writes of her experiences as a single Millenial, all ages of women will enjoy and benefit from her book.

Now, a challenge for you.

While you’re mulling over your list of goals for the new year, will you pray about those areas where you need courage? Ask God to help you follow through with whatever it is you just know you’re supposed to do.

Ask others to pray with you. I think this is where I’ve failed in dealing with my own fears.

Facing serious health issues requires courage. We often don’t hesitate to ask for prayer in those situations. There are many other personal battles that call for bravery. Why do we hesitate to ask for prayer in other areas of our lives?

Are we afraid to reveal the thing we feel led to do? For if we give it a voice, then we may have to actually follow through with it! It may be difficult. There may be repercussions. We may have to change.

Whew! Scary, isn’t it?

Let’s dedicate time to prayer, specifically about this THING. What is it for you? Say it—out loud. What fears have immobilized you? Why? Expose them for what they are.

Want us to pray for you? Share your request for bravery below or send it privately through the Contact Page.

100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self By Annie F. Downs / Zondervan Looking for tangible ways to grow in confidence and decision-making skills? Empowering women to embrace their identity as beloved daughters of God, Downs offers 100 bite-sized daily devotions complete with specific action steps to help you be brave enough to believe God’s promises, dream big, persevere, serve others well, work hard, and more. 224 pages, hardcover from Zondervan.