Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self

Brave. It’s a word filled with layers of inspiration for me. This year, I want to be courageous, confident, and bold.
100 Days To Brave, Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self, felt like a breath of courage as I opened its glossy pages and read scriptures and stories shared by Annie F. Downs.
This devotional would be great for millennials who are experiencing some of life’s biggest decisions as they pursue God’s will for their future.
I’m a Generation X gal, and find myself in a strange place. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for 14 years, and now I wonder what God has next for me. My dreams feel as real and big as when I longed for marriage and couldn’t wait for the day I had children.
I’ve had the chance to pursue my dream of writing by starting this blog a few years ago. And I wonder where God will lead me next. It’s both exciting and a little scary at the same time.
No matter what God has in store for me, I want to be brave in pursuing His lead.
"The odd thing about being brave is that we usually don’t feel very brave."
100 Days to Brave is a great devotional by Annie F. Downs that will help you become the courageous self you desire to be.
"I never felt brave. But day after day, I just did the next thing, took the next step, said the next yes."
And that is precisely what I think brave looks like. Taking the next step.
"Say yes too the situations that stretch you and scare you and ask you to be a better you than you think you can be."
This devotional will inspire you in a number of different areas.
Chapters Include:
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
"Let him into those little places inside that are hurt and alone and afraid. Let hIm love you, lead you, and make you into the courageous person He has planned–because I promise that adventure will be the greatest of your life."

Bravery isn’t in the big moments but the little ones, like telling yourself to have a good positive day while battling depression, like taking a sick day to self care or going out with co-workers, like applying for that job even though every other one has turned you down, like moving across the country or down the street.

I’ve only read Annie’s Let’s All Be Brave, which was a few years ago after moving to Modesto. For several years, I wanted to choose brave as my word of the year but was afraid God would make me do something really scary. I broke down and decided 2017 would be my year, and I had no idea what to expect. Being brave this year meant; I went karaoking with my best friend for her bachelorette party, I danced to Wannabe by the Spice Girls and I volunteered for our church’s Children, Youth, & Family planning committee, and now a move to Colorado and leaving a styling job I’ve had for the last 2 years and 9 months.

These are all brave.

Living a brave life doesn’t mean being a professional skydiver, although I would consider them pretty brave. But it’s understanding that “Brave people don’t stop hearing the whispers of fear. They hear the whispers but take action anyway.” pg 3

Each day of this gorgeous 100 day devotional has a short reading, scripture, and a be brave step for you to take. Annie encourages readers to read this and journal, you’re going to need your own journal though, as there isn’t any room to write in this book.

What I love about this book besides its start whenever set up, a ribbon for marking your place, and its perfect small size; are the fabulous metallic details on the front of the book which make it beautiful on your end table or book shelf.

Annie has a fun easy to read style that reminds me of having conversations very much like the topics in the book with friends at my local coffee shop, where honesty and real life met. This is a gorgeous and fabulous devotional for all the girlfriends in your life. If you haven’t read anything from Annie before, this would be a great introduction!

I received this book free in return for an honest review.

The author, Annie Downs, keeps it real. This 100 day devotional is aimed to help the reader fight their fears and face down their challenges when life feels overwhelming. Downs walked through a season where her challenges felt too difficult, too scary and too much, so her words feel natural and not forced or stiff. Those type of authors are always more enjoyable to read. Pick up this book to see that fear holding onto you can be tackled!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

You are braver than you know and stronger than you think.  In this faith-based devotional book, Annie Downs shares with honesty and humor, tips on how with God's help you can to show up and be the best version of yourself.  Is fear holding you back? Spend the next 100 days discovering how you can be brave.

This devotional book is divided into twelve sections.

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

What I liked
The physical book - The book has raised lettering on the cover,  a bookmark and smooth, thick pages.

Layout - Each day has a Bible verse, a short bit of teaching, encouragement or stories from Annie's life and a takeaway.

Content - I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book. It was encouraging as it kept being brave on the forefront of my mind each day.  I'm learning to accept life works out the way it was meant to and to be brave--do the thing while I'm still afraid.

Quotes
"While I am making mistakes, I am not a mistake.  Remind someone you love that God doesn't make mistakes."

"Speaking kindly to yourself will make you brave.  List three things you are thankful for about yourself."

"God knows we need to dream in pieces because we would be too scared of the whole puzzle."

I would recommend it to
Women who are looking for a Christian devotional book that will use Scripture, stories, and wisdom to encourage them to not let fear hold them back.  I plan to buy a couple of copies for friends, the book would make an excellent gift.

Summarize the book in one sentence.
"You are braver than you know and stronger than you thought possible."

BookLook Bloggers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"You were always meant to be brave." Annie Downs shares her own story and encourages readers to not let fear hold them back on her new book, 100 Days to Brave.

The introduction of 100 Days to Brave is a letter to the reader that starts with Dear friend. Downs shares how all of us reading the book probably feel like there is more to life than this. We all have a different "this" but we all need courage to go after our life's hopes and dreams to find our best life. Downs encourages readers to journal alongside this book for 100 days to find the journey God has for you. Downs says she wants to be the friend across the table from you to process and think through the road to your most courageous self.

While I have not gone through the book for 100 days yet, for the purposes of this review, I have read the readings. For each reading, Downs shares a Bible verse for the day, a short reading that offers a brief story or example relating to the verse, and then questions to journal or something to talk about as you apply the reading and choose to "Be Brave. " This book is beautiful with its glittery simple cover, ribbon page marker and thick, shiny pages. It is also one that could really make a difference as you read and apply the reading for 100 days. For someone making a transition or a difficult decision, or even facing old fears, 100 Days to Brave would be a great book to use to grow and reflect on how being brave looks in your life. Looking for Lovely and Let's All Be Brave were two of my favorite books. Downs' writing resonates with me so I felt uplifted and encouraged by this compilation of Downs' best-of writings and new readings on being brave. I highly recommend it to any woman.

I received this book from Booklook bloggers and Zondervan. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for this book.

I appreciate devotionals which are real and relevant. This devotional perfectly meets that requirement. Annie Downs has written a powerful and beautiful devotional entitled, 100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self.

The subtitle is the point of this devotional which covers 100 days. These are short, easy to read devotions designed to help the reader find courage through God when life is a struggle. The devotional feels personal and real.

This is an excellent devotion and one I would highly recommend, even as a Christmas gift.

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

Reading this book by Annie F. Downs reminded me of visiting with my younger sister, the millennial (I’m a Gen X gal). Her style is casual, funny, and hip, and I found it refreshing, especially on this topic. She is real and unpretentious and freely shares stories from her own life.

Here’s an excerpt I enjoyed:

"This morning when I did not like the look of the jeans I put on, I told myself so. Old Annie would have continued a barrage of ugly remarks about my looks, but instead, I looked in the mirror and said, “Hey, put on a different pair. No biggie.” And I shook it off and changed…If you are going to be the person who does the brave things God is calling you to do, speaking life and developing beautiful things in others with your words, it begins with doing that for yourself."

This book would make a good gift for a high school graduate, a college graduate, a new mom, or a woman changing careers. It’s geared for millennial readers, but I also enjoyed it myself as a light, entertaining read with nuggets of truth.

I received a free review copy of this book from the Booklook Bloggers Program.

100 daily devotions to show that you are braver than you know. 232 pages full of inspiration, Bible verses and be brave assignments. Courage is for you! Who doesn't need courage in this crazy life? Happy to have read this and will keep reading it in the future.

This devotional book is just what I've been looking for! I love Annie's down to earth, humorous style of writing along with the way she oh-so-gently but clearly challenges the reader to take a small step of action each day. Her suggestions have been thoughtful and "doable" some days while other days a bit more convicting. One of her BE BOLD action steps came as a confirmation of God's prompting in my heart and was just what I needed to have the courage to reach out to my neighborhood friends for a holiday chili dinner in my home. Annie's vulnerability and transparency give me a window into her personal struggles and also provide me with foundational truths about a God who is trustworthy and good. I'm so enjoying this devotional and highly recommend it!

Just finished reading 100 Days to Brave. I actually cheated and read ahead, I could not put the book down. I enjoyed her words of encouragement so much! This book inspired me to start a workshop that has been on my heart and mind for 2 years. Now is the time. I am going to be brave and intentional and make it happen. Thank you Annie for sharing your words!

Annie F. Downs speaks directly into my heart. Her writing is full of emotion and honesty and she has a way of making you feel like you're not alone...that she is right there with you as your reading. 100 Ways to Brave is the perfect way to start your day.

I really enjoyed the book and seemed to have days that hit exactly when they needed. It took me a little longer (ok, a lot longer) than 100 days to finish but I think the days hit when they needed. ~Jessica