Nothing to Prove: Why We Can Stop Trying So Hard

Jennie has the gift of bringing the Bible and Book of John to life. Her message of 'He is enough so we don't have to be' spoke directly to my heart and soul and has encouraged me to daily practice the ministry of PRESENCE and to live NEEDING God.
'Nothing can stand against the force of God moving through a soul completely in love with Him.
You sit down every day with Him in His Word, you look eye to eye with a small group of people, and you tell them the truth about your soul. You don't leave the church. You BUILD the church. You do the simple work of loving God and loving people. It is messy, hard, not too glamorous. And that sounds like Jesus.'
YES, Jennie, a soul full of God, nothing to prove, and genuine connection and love for others is to LIVE!

Jennie has a way with words, guys. Jesus speaks a breath of fresh air through here here, and shuts down all insecurities about performing for him. The truth of the matter his, we don't have to perform for Jesus because we have Jesus. In Nothing To Prove, Jennie delves into the topic of the freedom found in Jesus and helps guide the reader to discovering what burdens they may be carrying and causing them to feel so pushed down. As a recovering controller, these words speak true to my life. Often, my need for control would become a slippery slope into caring more about my performance and how well I could make my life work, rather than allowing God to take the lead and working with him. As Jennie writes, "Jesus didn't come just so you could know about grace--or even so you would know about God. He came so that you would drink in grace and be filled with God." Jesus came so that we could experience God--not just know about him.

I loved this book, and you will too! Order it now! :)

Gosh. I just finished this book and my goodness, it was so good! Thank you Jennie for being REAL! I started reading this on the day it was delivered and was like omg. I need to attend an IF:Gathering. Well I sure did do a local that following Friday! Between the book and the gathering, I HAVE SO MUCH FREEDOM! Love love love. Every woman needs to read this book!

I received an early edition copy of the book when I signed up to host an IF:Local at my church. I love Jennie Allen, so I was excited to read it, but felt like it wouldn't really apply to me. I never really thought I had anything to prove, and never considered myself one that was striving.

But reading this book made me realize while I hadn't been striving and trying to prove myself to my peers, It's exactly what I was doing in certain aspects of my relationship with Christ.

This book moved me so much I ended up ordering several to share as gifts, and even got another copy to give away at our IF:Local gathering. Thank you Jennie for speaking the truth, your transparency, authenticity and loving heart for Jesus!

This book helped me to gain freedom from expectations. Not only the expectations others place on me, but those I place on myself. Jennie writes in such a way that I feel like I'm chatting with a good friend over coffee. This book will give you the tools to live a full abundant life relying on Christ and His works instead of your own. LOVE IT!

This will be my most recommended book this year! It was an honor to be part of the launch team for this book, three chapters in and I pre-ordered several for friends. It's that good!

Jennie pinpoints areas that are so deeply personal that you feel like no one else would have understood. She makes you realize you're not alone in the never-ending game of striving, feeling like you're not enough, and entering into the endless cycle of trying to numb yourself from the baggage that comes in relying on yourself rather than God.

In typical Jennie fashion, she not only writes words that encourage, but challenges to take the principles and put them into practice. This book is a breath of fresh air and a guide to releasing the need to be enough in every area of life. HIGHLY recommend! Like, really. Buy it now!!

We all know the struggle to perform to be approved. We do this with our friends, family, and even God. But what if we could stop trying to prove our worth? How much greater would the world be if we were able to love each other from a deep and genuine place, not out of fear. Take rest people of the world, you are not alone and Jennie's new book will speak to the deepest and neediest places of your heart.

This book was the encouragement that my soul needed. God knew that I needed this book right now. So much of my life has become striving FOR God instead of realizing that He is waiting for me to come to the end of myself and run to him. He is so faithful. Thank you Jennie, for writing this honest, vulnerable book and sharing your journey with us.

What a beautiful reminder that we are secure and enough in the love of our Heavenly Father!

Jennie Allen has once again written an encouraging, challenging book that hits at the heart of women in the church. Her words made me think, made me cry, and directed me right to the Truth of the Bible and the waiting arms of my Savior.

This book will have your heart crying "this is so me", you will start reading and find that you aren't alone in feeling like you have to prove yourself.

I am only 50ish pages in and I wish I had the time to sit and just read. This book if you allow God to work will help you change your life and proving you are enough.

When I first started reading it was like reading my own thoughts. This book is so honest and lets you know you're not all only one struggling. We all struggle with whether or not we're enough. What I appreciate most is Jennie Allen's take that we are in fact not enough, but Jesus makes us enough. How freeing!

Author Jennie Allen calls herself a “recovering achiever” and her latest book— Nothing to Prove: Why We Can Stop Trying So Hard—delves into the freedom of grace.

In a world that often struggles to understand grace, Allen’s words remind us that God’s grace is “unmerited favor.”

“We don’t have to perform for a God who already adores us as His adopted children,” writes Allen.

She doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want, but emphasizes that we can stop striving to impress God.

“That reality pressed deep into us produces anything but apathy. Being wholly, relentless loved never makes someone apathetic,” says Allen.

In the first part (“Our Desert of Striving”), she looks at the aimless pursuit toward perfection. The second part (“God’s Streams of Enoughness”) emphasizes that God is enough to quench our thirst and includes devotional thoughts taken from stories in John’s Gospel.

I appreciate the candor with which Allen writes and her restorative approach to grace. From an evangelistic perspective I do, however, wish she had made the gospel a little clearer.

At one point, she writes, “For those of us who have named and turned from our sin and have trusted Him alone for salvation, we know not only measure up before a perfect God, but we are beloved by Him.”

The language of “name and turn” is at best ambiguous. Naming our sin could mean so many different things. At worst (depending on her meaning), it’s poor theology. Yes, we do acknowledge that we are sinners in need of a Savior, but salvation is about trusting in Christ alone to save us. We first trust Christ as Savior, and He then helps us have victory over sin.

I am so thankful that I have nothing to prove before God because I have been declared righteous!

(Disclaimer: This book was provided by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.)

For transparency's sake, I would like to note that I was part of a group of people selected to receive a free, advanced copy of Jennie Allen's Nothing to Prove. Although I was asked to give feedback on web based platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Weebly, I do not receive any compensation for book sales, preorders, the reading of this review, etc. I'm just a college student pumped about loving God and His people, with a reading list that's far too long, yet constantly growing.

We've all been there:

"Hey, how are you?"
"Pretty good. Busy."

And then the conversation continues, as we casually name drop everything that is pulling us in what feels like 85 directions, each trying to prove that we're busier than the next person. Maybe we're not always cognizant of it, but it's there, nonetheless. Listen for it next time. I notice it especially in college. It seems like everyone is trying to make sure that everyone else knows that they have more assignments, exams, and extracurricular activities than the next person.

Why do we--especially the Church--live like this, and at what cost? In our efforts to look like some kind of super Christian, we find ourselves fighting inadequacy and insecurity. In Nothing to Prove, Jennie Allen challenges readers to try a different way. She (2017) writes, "If you and I could hold onto a clear vision and hope of a secure home and a God coming from us, I believe it would rest and still our fearful self-protective hearts" (p. 129).

For me, there are a few tell-tale signs that I'm reading a good book. One clue is that I don't want to read the book without a pencil or highlighter in hand. Why? These books have so many good takeaways, and I know that I'll need to revisit them to mull over and soak in all of that truth. Nothing to Prove is one of those books. It spoke to my last semester of college-resume focused, anxious/interested/excited about the future-self. It challenged me to orient my heart and my identity away from these things, and instead to who God is and what He says about me.

The second sign that I'm reading something worth recommending is when it almost feels like the author and I are discussing the pages over coffee. And you find that on these pages. Allen's writing is approachable, as she weaves in stories of her own journey, but rich and worth savoring as she reflects on lessons that she has learned. .

Read this book if you're tired, overwhelmed, or addicted to overachieving. Read it if your goal is to know, love, and trust Jesus better. Read it if you want to reflect on the freedom that is found in living as Jesus' beloved daughter or son. Read it if you're psyched about all the cool things Jesus does in and through His people.

There are lots of things I liked about this book, as evidenced by the fact that my copy is full of marks and notes. The subtitle of the book is, "Why we can stop trying so hard." This aspect of the book really resonated with me, as it seems like I'm always reflecting on and talking to mentors and friends about the longest journey: that from head to heart. What does it look like to know these truths and then live that way? One of the things I liked best about this book, is that Jennie takes a stab at this. When we know that we are secure in Jesus, we can stand on who He is. And isn't it so incredible that we can rest in the fact that Jesus was, is, and will always be enough?

I think that so many of our conversations center on our busyness because that feels safe. Somehow, it feels like we've still got control over that. But friends, a tight, white-knuckled grip isn't very secure at all. Jesus calls us to hold much more loosely to our accomplishments and plans, and He tells us that's a pretty safe place to be, because He knows what He's doing. Jennie writes a lot about this in Nothing to Prove, so I'll close with one of my favorite lines about it: I want to see Jesus in my everyday life, not just when I arrive in heaven. I want to love HIm more than I want to appear religious. I want to love people enough to lead them to the One who can heal them. I want to be healed myself. I want to initiate for the good of those around me rather than pad my existence with comfort and ease... There is no safer risk than throwing the weight of your life on an eternal, loving, steadfast God. (155).

Have you ever felt like you were not good enough? I sure have. I have struggled for years with insecurities in many different parts of my life. Feeling like I wasn't good enough, like I had to prove myself yet still wasn't measuring up. I've struggled with this in my marriage, motherhood, homemaking, being a children's pastor, leading women's ministries, writing and more. I want to be enough, yet I'm just not.

Jennie Allen tells us in her new book Nothing to Prove,
But we are not enough. We are not God. We don't have all the answers, all the wisdom, all the strength, all the energy. We are finite sinful beings. And that is okay.

That is so freeing! We don't have to be enough because God is! If we are striving to live for God we can have faith that He is enough and we can stop trying to prove ourselves. It's exhausting!

Jennie also says in Nothing to Prove,
He says, I am the bread of life.
He is the bread of life...we are not.
He says, I am the light of the world.
He is the light...we are not.
He says, I am the door.
He is the door...we are not.
He says, I am the way, the truth.
We are not.
He is enough. We are not.

When we remember all that God is, when we truly get that into our heads and our hearts, we stop trying to prove ourselves and instead begin to do life with God letting Him be who He is.

i was fortunate to receive an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

jennie allen does not disappoint with her latest book. i am still sorting through my own human faults... the desire to be enough, the need to please people, the intense fear of being out of control. as a newly full time working mom, it has become very apparent to me that i am not enough. i cant be. and while it used to be debilitating to hear that, I am now more free from the stigma of 'so close'. i can never be enough, because my God never meant for me to be. i am lacking so i will look to Him for more, i am weak so i can lean into His strength, i am small so i can see His bigness. jennie points to all of this in her book. she then goes on to show all the ways we ARE enough even when we sell ourselves short. i am EXACTLY who He made me to be. i am perfect in His eyes and am a child who is loved for all of my goods and bads.

this book will soothe your seeking soul. it will point you towards God in a way that is comforting and reassuring. it will allow you to exhale and live in your moment. I dont have to be Pinterest Mom, Sport Mom, Chef Mom, always Available Mom.. etc. i just have to be Natalie, Derek, and Ryan's mom.. and THAT is enough for me.

"Are you tired inside and out? Are you overwhelmed with expectations and pressures, weighed down by the belief that you're not good enough, talented enough, or spiritual enough to measure up?

You are not alone." (From Back Cover)

Jennie Allen has written a book that is much-needed for today. She invites us to give up striving, performing, and trying harder to reach some goal and offers up instead the one truth we all need-Jesus.

From the opening of the book to the final page, Jennie points us to Jesus. In the introduction she shares this, "We've been deceived by the lies of an enemy who knows exactly how to twist our thirst to his purposes. And we desperately need to open our eyes to his perverse tactics.

IF I WERE YOUR ENEMY....

If I were your enemy, this is what I would do:

Make you believe you need permission to lead.

Make you believe you are helpless.

Make you believe you are insignificant.

Make you believe that God wants your decorum and behavior.

And for years these lies have been sufficient to shut down the women in the Church. But now many of you are awake. You are in the Word and on your knees. God is moving through you, and you are getting dangerous. You are free and leading other people to freedom. The old lies are no longer adequate.

But now many of you are awake. You are in the Word and on your knees. God is moving through you, and you are getting dangerous. You are free and leading other people to freedom. The old lies are no longer adequate.

So if I were your enemy, I would make you numb and distract you from God's story.

Technology, social media, Netflix, travel, food and wine, comfort. I would not tempt you with the notably bad things, or you would get suspicious. I would distract you with everyday comforts that would slowly feed you a different story and make you forget God.

Then you would dismiss the Spirit leading you, loving you, and comforting you. Then you would start to love comfort more than surrender and obedience and souls.

If that didn't work, I would attack your identity. I would make you believe you had to prove yourself.

Then you would focus on yourself instead of God.

Friends would become enemies.

Teammates would become competition.

You would isolate yourself and think you are not enough.

You would get depressed and be ungrateful for your story.

Or,

You would compare and believe you are better than others.

You would judge people who need God.

You would condemn them rather than love and invite them in.

You would gossip and destroy and tear down other works of God.

Either way you would lose your joy, because your eyes would be fixed on yourself and people instead of on Jesus.

And if that didn't work, I would intoxicate you with the mission of God rather than God Himself.

Then you would worship a cause instead of Jesus.

You would fight each other to have the most important roles.

You would burn out from striving.

You would think that success is measured by the results you see.

You would build platforms for applause rather than to display God.

Then all of your time and effort would be spent on becoming important rather than on knowing Jesus and loving people. The goals would be to gather followers, earn fancier job titles, publish books, build big ministries rather than to seek the souls of men and the glory of God.

And if that didn't work, I would make you suffer.

Then maybe you would think God is evil rather than good.

Your faith would shrink.

You would get bitter and weary and tired rather than flourish and grow and become more like Christ.

You would try to control your life rather than step into the plans He has for you.

The enemy is telling you that freedom is only found in finally proving to yourself and to the world that ...

you are important.

you are in control.

you are liked.

you are happy.

you are enough."

This book came alongside a season in my life where every single day I have to admit I am clueless on how to proceed. I have no choice but to rest in the fact that I know nothing but God has the answers I need. I couldn't just keep up appearances anymore and it has been most freeing. Will we dare to drop it all and live from what we already have in Christ?

This is definitely a needed book and one I think everyone who has ever struggled with the idea that they need to try harder to prove themselves should read.

*Received a copy from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review

In her book Nothing to Prove, Jennie Allen asks some questions I think many Christians have struggled with.
What if we stopped doing things for God and started doing things with God? Maybe the reason you aren’t free is that you are trying so hard?
I spent a majority of my Christian life trying to do things for God, in my own effort, to please Him and live a Godly life. My striving to prove myself has always left me with an empty feeling that I’m just not enough.
And that is the whole premise of this book. We don’t have to prove ourselves. With Jesus, we are enough.
Just hearing that makes me feel like I can take a slow, calming breath out and rest in that truth.
"He is enough so we don't have to be."
What if you had nothing to prove and you could stop trying so hard to be enough? In her book, Nothing to Prove, Jennie Allen helps readers understand that God is enough so we can stop trying to prove ourselves.
When we get to the place where we can admit our “not enoughness” that’s the point where Jesus can set us free from our striving.
"I am realizing it’s not my curse that I believe I am not enough; it’s my sin that I keep trying to be."
Jennie shares her own struggles of feeling like she was not enough as a pastor’s wife, mom and ministry leader and how she was able to stop trying so hard by understanding who God is and who He says we are.
"There is no remedy for your striving apart from finding your identity in Christ. He is your enough, and the degree to which you believe that, is the degree to which you will stop striving, stop performing, stop trying to prove yourself."
This book is divided into two parts. The first four chapters explore the desert of striving.
1. My Quiet Confession
2. Star Charts and Backpacks
3. Numbing Out
4. Coming Up for Air
The second portion focuses on “God’s Streams of Enoughness.”
5. No Longer Thirsty–The Stream of Fulfillment
6. No Longer Lonely–The Stream of Connection
7. No Longer Tired–The Stream of Rest
8. No Longer Passive–The Stream of Risk
9. No Longer Afraid–The Stream of Hope
10. No Longer Ashamed–The Stream of Grace
11. No Longer Empty–The Stream of Calling
Final Thoughts: What Do We Believe about God?
Each of the chapters in part two opens with a retelling of a scene from the book of John where Jesus ministers to those who feel like they are not enough and reminds them that He is. Then she shares her own experiences and concludes the chapter with an “Experience Guide” which includes questions and practical applications to help readers walk in freedom.
I thought this book was very well-written and an excellent resource to help women who are tired of trying so hard to prove themselves.
I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest review.

Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen speaks to those who are struggling to measure up to a set of standards of their own making. Explaining that many go through this struggle, she invites the reader to find freedom in the knowledge that we will never be enough---but JESUS is more than enough! Our goal is to get to know Jesus and open ourselves to being used by Him and not focusing on our own sense of self-worth.

We tend to chase after things that are superficially important to us, but leave us unsatisfied. Frustration and fear over not measuring up to your definition of self-worth simply leads to constant yearning to prove we are worthy and in control, but that simply cannot be found on our own if we constantly compare ourselves to others.

Jennie brings you to a point of understanding that Jesus provides what we need. You are loved. You can relax. You can rest in Him and not have to do everything on your own. You have Nothing to Prove! Jennie has a refreshing style that lets the reader know that she knows the struggle from personal experience and has the capacity to help others reach a level of knowing that know that we battle a real enemy who wants to destroy us and interfere in our relationship with God. She explains how we can get so overwhelmed by other things we can lose focus on what is most important---our relationship with God and the knowledge that He loves us. We don't have to prove anything to Him, but just be willing to follow His lead. When we follow, He can make the changes we are unable to do on our own. Stop trying so hard. You have nothing to prove before stepping into His plans for you.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself from Watterbrook-Multnomah blogging program. All opinions are my own.

We live in a Pinterest-perfect world and strive to perfection every, single day thinking this will bring us the happiness we desperately chase. We feel that we need to make sure everyone else around us sees us in this one perfect light. This leads us to feeling overwhelmed and stressed out.

In Nothing to Prove: Why We Can Stop Trying So Hard by Jennie Allen she gives us permission to just stop. Stop being overwhelmed. Stop being stressed out. Stop working towards perfection. It's not necessary to live a full life.

This book is a very necessary drink of life-giving water for your longing soul. Allen gives you some wonderful nuggets of nourishment that call you into action, but not the type of action you are thinking. She calls you to throw off the idea that perfection is everything. To simply be you and to find that you alone are enough. You really don't have anything to prove to anyone.

Allen helps you examine your own life and to release all of the expectations you place upon yourself. She has some amazing reflection questions in this book that will get your on the right path to walk away from your idea that perfection is everything. Nothing to Prove is an encouragement to a longing soul. One that is thirsty for refreshment. The type of refreshment that only comes from Jesus.

(Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

We are not enough (not savvy enough, beautiful enough, strong enough), but Jesus is.

What did I just read? I wondered as I closed the back cover of Jennie Allen’s book Nothing to Prove: Why we can stop trying so hard.

I felt clarity.

I’d picked up the book not because the title intrigued me (I don’t try hard to please people and figured I knew I had nothing to prove . . .) but I’d heard positive comments about it and thought I’d use it as a study of writer’s craft if nothing else.

But it was so much more.

We are thirsty, and Jesus is an endless brook. Jennie leads her female audience to their Father and unassumingly reminds them that He is everything. We are not enough, but He is.

We have nothing to prove because when we feel exhausted, inadequate, unjustified, guilty, Jesus is enough. We are His children—He has already said we are enough.

Jennie’s gentle words trigger readers to stop trying so hard to be what this world asks for and instead to be present with Jesus and to open ourselves to the service He calls us to.

To sit face-to-face with people.

To disciple.

To listen.

To love.

To be.

He is with us, Allen urges, and He wants us to be with Him.

Through anecdotes, Gospel stories, and questions, Allen urges her readers to “step into the stream,” to “wade in deeper,” and to “quench your thirst.”

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The book "Nothing To Prove" breathes out the title on every page. My wife was introduced Allen’s teaching at woman’s Bible Study and she showed me a couple of short videos by her and I was really Impressed. I love that she truly tells it like it is not just for some but for all of us. We are indeed "all jacked up" and but for the Grace of God.. This reading is a strong in-depth reminder that we have nothing to prove to others or even self but to live in and out the life God has for us. To let Him breathe in and through us and truly realize it is all about Him. As Believers we are to be the ones who set the standards and others should see a life that they wonder what is going on. But we tangle ourselves are in pity and pride. And find by the end of the day we have "successfully" entertained our way through once again. But to live out the bigger vision is a reminder and challenge from Allen in that we would see we need each other and a need to find relationships, to feel a part of something bigger than ourselves and most of all to recognize our need for God like never before and we would find His Love in ways we never have before. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. I prefer books by the likes of Chan, Elderidge, Platt, and would add Allen to the list of must reads for Believers.

This book seemed like it was written just for me. From glancing at other reviews, clearly I'm not alone in feeling this way.

I'm a type-A perfectionist. I tend to beat myself up and I always feel like I have to try harder to measure up. This book revealed the ways in which this mindset is affecting my views about how God feels about me, too. All those views are clearly false. Jennie Allen gets that the search for a picture-perfect life is something that is troubling a lot of women lately.

When I first started reading this book, I was afraid that it was going to be another one of the many watered-down Christian-ish books that seem to be targeted to women lately. (I'm getting really tired of expecting a Christian book with some real insights, but I instead get a self-help book with a couple of Bible verses.) I didn't necessarily understand the sections of each chapter that were inspired by a story in the Bible as though the author were putting herself in the setting.

But overall the book was full of really useful insights that I needed to hear and commit to heart. Each chapter had discussion questions that provided good food for thought. Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for providing an honest review.

Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen did not disappoint! Everything about this book is so relatable to women! We all struggle with trying to do too much and desperately wanting to measure up and not disappoint anyone. We believe the lies that we are never good enough. Dealing with these same issues, Jennie expresses a different way of living. What a joy to hear an author speak directly to the truth of what we really need, rather than what the world tells us. Jennie focuses on the point that our worth comes from Jesus and He is the only one who can meet our needs. We can strive to be enough through the eyes of the world but in the end we will always fall short. She encourages us to plug more into Jesus, because true contentment and joy only comes through Him. In chapter 6, she talks about the difference between vulnerability and transparency. This was my favorite part of the book because it has challenged me to live a life of transparency. When you live a transparent life you are exposing everything and not necessarily worried about proving yourself, rather just being real and open to whatever God has in store for you.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions and review.

As the title suggests, "Nothing To Prove" by Jennie Allen addresses the issue of trying hard to measure up to others' expectations and instead being the person God created you to be. While addressed to women, men may also benefit from the book. The title is around 230 pages and covers such topics as:

1. Admitting our struggle with our identity - the author shares many examples in her own life about her struggles.

2. Various ways we can constructively find our identity in Christ - connecting with Him and people, intentionally spending time alone with God, cease striving from trying so hard to fit into today's society, taking risks (new friendships, pursuits, locations, etc.) instead of always playing it safe, and other ideas.

3. Suggestions are at the end of each chapter for applying the particular topic to your life.

A good read and one that I will give to my wife. I received a review copy from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Once again Jennie Allen's words have wrecked me in the best possible way. In her new book, Nothing to Prove, she shares why we can all stop trying so hard. Full of personal stories and scripture, this book is sure to be one that I will come to again and again for inspiration and guidance.

I've always known that comparison was a thief to my joy. I knew that feeling like I wasn't good enough was detrimental to my ability to step out in faith and for my sanity for that matter. But when I read the words, "I am realizing it's not my curse that I believe I am not enough; it's my sin that I keep trying to be," that I absolutely lost it. I wept hard. I'm talking full-on ugly cry. Honestly, these have probably been the most powerful words in the whole book for me. My sin is trying to be enough, trying to go it alone, trying to not need His sacrifice. Because if I am enough, then I get the glory. If I do things all by myself, I get the credit. But none of us are self-made. We are made by the Potter's hands, fashioned in His image for His glory.

Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen is a wonderful book that tackles the daily struggle so many of us face with the fear that we are not enough. This a great book for anyone who is ready to rid themselves of the expectations that other people attempt to place on them and start living the fearless and glorious life that God intends for them to live.

This book is loaded with wisdom and tons of Jennie’s personal experiences of dealing with people-pleasing and feeling like she wasn’t accomplishing enough in life. I have to admit that the number of stories and experiences shared wasn’t really to my liking, but it doesn’t takeaway from the fact that this book can help those in need of breaking free from the bondage they’ve placed on themselves or they’ve allowed others to place on them.

If you want to experience freedom and start living the fearless and glorious life that God intends for you to live, this book provides a great start to getting to that place.

Nothing to Prove by Jenny Allen was such an encouraging read - It challenged me do quite a bit of self-examination on why I do what I do. What do I feel insecure about? What do I feel I am failing at? And why do I feel that way? It was easy to read and filled with words that reminded me what God can do with someone who is completely in love with Him.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

How to Overcome Worry is

Nothing to Prove is for the woman who has wondered if she is enough — enough for her children, enough for her community, enough for the world. Sometimes a synopsis can build up expectations only to disappoint, but in this case I found my expectations surpassed. The back of the book blurb rang true, "Jennie Allen understands the daily struggle with inadequacy and insecurity. And she invites us into a different experience, one in which our souls are content and epic dreams unfold through our lives."
Jennie talks about the adoption of her youngest son from Rwanda, her struggles with an eating disorder, and how she found real freedom through faith in Jesus instead of continuing to numb the longings in her soul. As someone who has often binged too long on Netflix and chased hollow pursuits only to be left wanting, I found this book inspirational and encouraging. It has helped me find greater joy in the circumstances of my life, and magnified my desire to see that happen for others.

Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen is a wonderful book that tackles the daily struggle so many of us face with the fear that we are not enough. This a great book for anyone who is ready to rid themselves of the expectations that other people attempt to place on them and start living the fearless and glorious life that God intends for them to live.

This book is loaded with wisdom and tons of Jennie’s personal experiences of dealing with people-pleasing and feeling like she wasn’t accomplishing enough in life. I have to admit that the number of stories and experiences shared wasn’t really to my liking, but it doesn’t takeaway from the fact that this book can help those in need of breaking free from the bondage they’ve placed on themselves or they’ve allowed others to place on them.

If you want to experience freedom and start living the fearless and glorious life that God intends for you to live, this book provides a great start to getting to that place.

Nothing to Prove by Jenny Allen was such an encouraging read - It challenged me do quite a bit of self-examination on why I do what I do. What do I feel insecure about? What do I feel I am failing at? And why do I feel that way? It was easy to read and filled with words that reminded me what God can do with someone who is completely in love with Him.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

How to Overcome Worry is

Nothing to Prove is for the woman who has wondered if she is enough — enough for her children, enough for her community, enough for the world. Sometimes a synopsis can build up expectations only to disappoint, but in this case I found my expectations surpassed. The back of the book blurb rang true, "Jennie Allen understands the daily struggle with inadequacy and insecurity. And she invites us into a different experience, one in which our souls are content and epic dreams unfold through our lives."
Jennie talks about the adoption of her youngest son from Rwanda, her struggles with an eating disorder, and how she found real freedom through faith in Jesus instead of continuing to numb the longings in her soul. As someone who has often binged too long on Netflix and chased hollow pursuits only to be left wanting, I found this book inspirational and encouraging. It has helped me find greater joy in the circumstances of my life, and magnified my desire to see that happen for others.

Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen is a great reminder for seasoned believers that God loves us and we don't have to perform for Him. It's also wonderful for anyone asking the question, "Am I enough." Allen's anwser is, "No. You aren't but Jesus is."

This book is divided into two parts: Our Desert of Striving and God's Streams of Enoughness. The first section describes our need and lack as humans, while the second part, describes who God is and who we are in Him. For Part 2 of the book, each chapter is based on a passage of Scripture followed by an "Experience Guide" to help dive deeper and for practical application.

Some of my favorite quotes include: "God is not after great performances or great moments. He is after us!" and, "To get to a place where God is enough for us, we must first admit that we aren't."

I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is tired of striving or feeling the weight of their not enoughness.

*I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed savoring this easy, yet perfectionist-person-challenging read, which basically meant this book was written for people exactly like myself. Haha. Because I'm one of those try-too-hard types, too, and this book was exactly the real-grace-talk I needed. It felt like an equal helping of an oh-so-needed-girls-talk-sesh, a bible study, and Jennie's own personal life-story wrapped into a pretty gold studded blue book. And it all worked. This is a book I'll be passing around to my girlfriends, for sure!

Andalsoplustoo, my favorite chapter was No Longer Passive. It was one of those chapters that stays with you long after you read it--it is most definitely one that the church should be focusing on right now.

*I received this book for free via Blogging For Books for the purpose of review.*

Jennie comes to these pages as a friend who loves you too much not to share the hard-earned truth she has discovered - we aren't enough and we can stop trying to prove that we are. When the noise of the world shouts at us to do more, be more, and have more, "Nothing to Prove" takes us on a journey that quiets the noise and reminds us that we don't need to be a god because God is already great at His job. Each chapter works through a retelling of the gospel of John, personal stories, and ends with an experience guide to help apply the stories and lessons to our own lives through discussion questions, additional scripture, and challenges. "You are not enough" might not be an easy message to hear, but "Nothing to Prove" reminds us that there is freedom and grace in accepting that we aren't enough - but God always is.

In this book, Jennie beautifully and eloquently articulates something I could never put into words before - my constant struggle between striving too hard and going numb. It is a battle I have fought for years - it is so hard to stop striving, and then way too easy to go numb (no thanks to my Iphone and all the mindless scrolling) and ignore the important things in my life. This life is HARD and Jennie addresses all of that in a simple yet provocative way, and her words brought TRUTH to my weary soul!

This book is an easy read that you won't be able to put down. I think I underlined something on every page and then ordered a copy for all my closest friends! I only wish I had learned this precious truth way before age 40!

Here is one of my favorite quotes

"If you’re exhausted from the struggle to prove yourself, you are not alone. We are so often dragged along in the darkness, unable to save ourselves from our thoughts and from our shame and from our mistakes. We try to slap self-esteem tactics on our fears, but they don’t stick because, well, it’s true: We are not enough.

This would be a terribly depressing thought if it weren’t followed by the most freeing truth in all of eternity: God knew we would never be enough. So he became enough for us. Jesus is our enough."

TRUST ME - you will love this book and it is perfect for anyone searching, seeking, weary, or just wanting to fall more in love with Jesus.

I am an avid reader, and I can easily say this book is in my top 10 of all time. I highly recommend for individual study, book clubs and discussion groups!

I really enjoyed Nothing to Prove when I considered it as speaking to a friend, or reading a blog of one of my favorite bloggers. However, the book as a whole was hard for me to stay into. I tried to force myself to finish it several times and just couldn't. I liked the book and the message, but there isn't a cohesive pull to finish it from beginning to end. However, I do think it's a useful book with a helpful message. I have read a few other books about perfectionism lately. I will try Jennie Allen's again another time, just in case it wasn't the right message for me at that moment.

One of the most sacred invitations you can be called to is the story, the real story of where another has walked. Jennie Allen has simply & clearly laid out the steps she has journeyed. In her vulnerability and admitting where she does not have it all together, she shows how God, in His grace already knew that. He knows we all are limited, fallen and receives us in that place of “not enoughness.” Jennie models how naming, confessing and getting honest in the areas we are striving or numbing out, actually become the very places of intimacy and life. It is in those places of brutal honesty where Jesus can invade and show Himself to be sweeter and more satisfying than anything the world could offer.

One of the strengths of this book, is Jennie invites you to the very words of Scripture. The living, breathing, active words of God intersecting in our current space and time bring life. She walks through the book of John, showing us Jesus’ way of love, truth and grace. Her current application, encouragement and call to our generation is rooted in the story of God. You will be stirred to pick up your Bible, digging deeper into the words that lead to hope, salvation and lasting change.

This is a book that has many layers. You can devour it, move through it and then it beckons you to keep considering the Truth. It is experiential, offering time throughout to reflect and consider and will be a wonderful tool in the hands of women as they process together. There will be beautiful stories of the Lord using these very words to set women free; free to worship and live connected to the One who gives life abundantly. What a treasured voice Jennie is for our generation!

I found myself highlighting half of the book with everything jumping off the page encouraging me. This book will encourage you and empower you to live a life for God, with God's power and strength, not your own. You will find more of your identity in being a beloved child of God instead of working for his love and to please Him.
"Our confidence comes from believing God can do anything, then stepping back and letting Him.... Let's start doing things with God instead of for God. Today He is saying, Just ask Me....I am for you. You don't need to worry." p138 Nothing to Prove
I encourage you to grab this book and feel more accepted, loved, and empowered by a heavenly Father than ever before. It's life changing!

Nothing to Prove: Why We Can Stop Trying So Hard

By Jennie Allen

Jennie Allen, a very successful Christian leader, has been haunted throughout her life by the thought “I am not enough.” Finally she realized “God is not after great performances or great movements. He is after us!” Pg 33 Part 1 of the book covers Our Desert of Striving. Part 2 is about God’s Streams of Enoughness. This is a beautiful and profound book that will help you draw closer to God.

Gospel-centered, refreshing message for anyone (but this book is geared towards women) that will remind you of the sufficiency and peace that only Jesus can give to us. I've read every book Jennie has written and this one is definitely my favorite. Her transparent anecdotes that portray her own struggle with living a life free and dependent on God were very encouraging and relatable for me and many others I know. Jennie addresses our temptations to "numb out" from this world because all the issues surrounding us can be overwhelming - especially when we are living out of a mindset that we are solely responsible for every. little. thing. that needs fixing - our kids and families, marriages and all other relationships, businesses, politics etc.

Jennie's words and use of Scripture loosened the noose of perfectionism and the do-it-all-because-you-have-to mindset that had been choking me and robbing me of joy and peace.

Bottom Line: I am not and will never be enough - Jesus is and always will be enough.

Nothing brings peace like having a safe place to rest - Jennie makes that place clear - it's in the surrender to Jesus as the Son of God, Son of Man, and reigning victor over sin and death. This book is an invitation to repent and believe, and to come and abide. It is forthright, unapologetically harnessed to the gospel of Jesus, and a must-read for every woman who has lost her sense of purpose and peace.