Some books you read once and forget. Others stay on my shelves and get referenced many times. Just seeing their titles reminds me of the mental perspective shifts I got while reading them and how much better my life is for following their advice. The Bible will always top this list but that feels like it is understood since I call myself a Christian. Here are the six books that stood out to me today. The descriptions given are from the backs of the books. The comments following are my own opinions. These may not be life-changing books for you, but I hope this list brings to mind the ones that have helped you on your journey.

Telling Yourself the Truth by William Backus and Marie Chapian. Most of what happens in your life happens because of the way you think. Wrong thinking produces wrong emotions, wrong reactions, wrong behavior — and unhappiness! Learning to deal with your thoughts is the first step on the road to healthy thinking. How to handle one’s thoughts properly is what this book is all about. It explains the life-changing method the authors call Misbelief Therapy, and it can work for you. Based on the Bible, this book has helped thousands of people for many years, and it can help you! Telling Yourself the Truth can show you how to identify your own misbeliefs and replace them with the truth.

The first time I read this book as a young mother, it made me angry! The nerve of them to just say I could change the way I think. But it certainly opened my eyes to what was going on in my head. Some chapters seemed more acceptable to me and I started there, identifying the fatalistic and negative thinking patterns I had. I have reread the book at least once, maybe more, and it takes me into better thinking and happier life every time. If you are ready to be happier, no matter what is going on in your world, try this book for some great tools. This book includes a very helpful study guide to direct your thoughts and help you find solutions.

Organizing Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald. We have schedule planners, computerized calendars and self-stick notes to help us organize our business and social lives every day. But what about organizing the other side of our life, our spiritual side? One of the great battlegrounds of the new century is within the private world of the individual. The values of our Western culture incline us to believe that the busy, publicly active person in ministry is also the most spiritual. Tempted to give unbalanced attention to the public world at the expense of the private, we become involved in more program, more meetings. Our massive responsibilities at home, work, and church have resulted in a lot of good people on the verge of collapse. In this timely updated classic, Gordon MacDonald equips a new generation to live life from the inside out, cultivating an inner victory necessary for public effectiveness.

I first read this book years ago but I still reference it on occasion. It is actually written for people with a public ministry, but I still found (find) it helpful as a stay-at-home mom. The author says there are five sectors to a balanced life: motivation, use of time, wisdom and knowledge, spiritual strength, and restoration. I learned things about pacing my life to avoid burnout, managing time and using time for valuable, high return activities like quality reading and journaling and rest and quiet times. This book also has a study guide that I found very helpful in applying the ideas to my life.

Humble Roots How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul by Hannah Anderson. Feeling worn thin? Come find rest. Nestled in the simple rhythms of rural life, taking cues from forsythia, milkweed, and wild blackberries, Hannah Anderson meditates on the pursuit of peace and its natural companion, humility. Part theology of incarnation, part stroll through the fields and forest, Humble Roots reveals how cultivating humility — not scheduling or increased productivity– leads to true peace. By remembering who you are and Who you aren’t, you can discover afresh your need for God and the rest that comes from belonging to Him. So come. Consider the lilies of the field, and learn humility from Christ Himself.

This book is nice to read in spring, especially if you are a gardener. It isn’t a devotional as such, but it can be used like one. I loved how her topics moved from natural examples to spiritual application so seamlessly. The chapter titles are so creative– it begins with Withering on the Vine and ends with A Secret Garden. This book is truly a breath of fresh spring air for me mentally and spiritually. Highly recommend!

Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen L. Taylor. A beloved allegory retold… Many years ago, Helen L. Taylor took John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress and simplified it for young readers. The result was a classic in itself that continues to reach new readers year after year. Little Pilgrim’s Progress is both an exciting adventure story and a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life, a delightful read that kids ages 6-12 can enjoy and remember.

I think this book is for you even if you are long past the age of twelve. I love books that are abridged for children; they are easier for me to understand as well. It’s easy to get bogged down in the details of life and forget it is a journey and we can expect some unexpected twists and turns. This book reminds me that others experience the dame things and there is a way through with Jesus by our side. This is a good book to read it out loud to children. Don’t be surprised if they ask for one more chapter before bed.

Practical Happiness A Young Man’s Guide to a Contented Life by Bob Schultz. Through short, captivating stories, Bob Schultz has crafted a book to lead young men toward a life of contentment that can only be found by seeking the heart of God. Young men will learn that happiness is not found in what they have, where they go or their next exciting adventure, but rather in their attitude and response to life– especially when things aren’t going ‘their’ way. True happiness is not found in money, power or fame. It is a precious gift from God, available to all who learn to hear His voice and obey His calling. Practical Happiness will light a fire in the hearts of young men, leading them to a life of personal fulfillment as they draw closer to God.

There are three Bob Schultz books available through Gospel Publishers and I like them all, but Practical Happiness is my favorite. Although he emphasized the book is for young men, I think it has practical advice for anybody. The book is dedicated to his three daughters. The moral is stated plainly, yet it doesn’t feel tacked on. I can appreciate that!

Lights of Home by Marilee Reimer and Paula Barkman. These two women dug into their song collection from their growing up years and compiled a songbook of their favorites.

Most of the songs in Lights of Home are praises or reminders of God’s care, with a few melancholy, romantic songs thrown in for good measure. The songs have rhyming lyrics and an expected rhythm, making them easy to sing. This is a book that continues to encourage my journey.

I just realized most of these books deal with living a happy life. I guess it’s one of my favorite topics. Sometimes being happy is hard work and takes self-denial, as you might find in the first two options. Sometimes it is just noticing that life is good just how it is. And sometimes a song is just what we need to boost our spirits. This feels like a very unique-to-me list and I hope it helps you examine your own bookshelves and appreciate the authors who took the time to share their inspiration that has inspired you. These are the ones I pull out and read snatches of when I need reminding of their truths.

Here is a link to Gospel Publishers website, where you can purchase all of these books. What books continue to encourage you long after you read them?

–Liz

For more:

Calm My Anxious Heart

Boost Your Happiness Now

The Ideal Life