Sally Clarkson does it again! Help, I'm Drowning is the anthem for many women in today's world with all that is going on. Sally has a way of letting you know that all storms are temporary and comfort is always present with God. An encouraging read for anyone who feels like they can't take on any more tasks and needs a word of hope. Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalkey for the e-ARC. Sally writes with such compassion and warmth, it’s like reading reflections from a trusted mentor - her wisdom is lived not just studied her deep love of God shines through.

Sally Clarkson is a beloved author whose vision for encouraging women through words has spanned decades. "Help, I'm Drowning" is no different. By sharing all her challenges and the strategies she used to overcome them as a stronger woman, she is - in turn - reaching back with her strong hands to pull others up out of their challenges. It is comforting to know that someone who seemingly 'has it all together' has faced struggles herself.

Helpful and encouraging book for Moms in any stage of motherhood. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eGalley. All opinions are my own.

A bit of a redundant topic if you've read something like this before, but if it's a new topic, then I highly recommend. Strong writing style + gorgeous cover!

Sally has done it again with her amazing writing! She is a wealth of encouragement always! No can feel alone again after reading this encouraging book. She can uplift anyone!
One of my favorite quotes is: “Our children, families, and friends will face many storms. But when we walk through our own with courage and faith, choosing joy, it will become a pattern that they will learn to follow when their lives are confronted by similar difficulties.” I will be recommending this book to anyone that needs a boost in their life.

Sally Clarkson offers gentle encouragement as we face the inevitable storms of life, sharing her own trials and pointing us to the One who calms the storm. Her words are soothing and steeped in Scripture. Some chapters focus on a type of storm (isolation, expectations, busyness, fear, etc…), and each one ends with “anchors” (prayers, verses, journaling prompts) to sit with before moving on. I appreciate her candor and insight.

Helpful book for moms in any stage of motherhood. I enjoyed the stories and the encouragement. Highly recommend!

This book is timely and encouraging! So many are struggling during these times and Clarkson is relatable and real as she acknowledges this in her book. It's not a "how-to" account of surviving, but more like an "I see you. I hear you. I'm here" message that we all so desperately need.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sally Clarkson never disappoints. I appreciate her stories about life, the practical applications and the wisdom that she imparts through her writing. I appreciated this book so much as chapter by chapter she focuses on the pain that can (and will) be a part of our lives but how through our perspective and our walk with God, we can still rise above our circumstances and be victorious. I love how at the end of each chapter, there is a section for reflection questions and prayer. As always, a great read provided by Sally Clarkson.

Mrs. Clarkson's perspective is so wise and she gives many practical tips, especially for those struggling through what has been an incredibly difficult past year and a half. Would recommend to anyone needing a boost.

This book was just what I needed! The last couple of years have been rough on a lot of us. This book was a wonderful, encouraging breath of fresh air.

Sally Clarkson does it again - another book that spoke directly to my heart! I read this during a season when life felt overwhelming and it felt like Sally was a friend beside me, constantly encouraging me and pointing me back to Jesus.

Reading Sally's books are always uplifting and I know they are grounded in the gospel. I appreciated Help, I'm Drowning so much!

This book was incredibly helpful for me in my current season of life. I tend to find Sally Clarkson’s books a bit grating—full of truth but typically just making me feel “less than” with the high expectations and ideas presented in them. This novel was refreshing and had an entirely different tone to it. I loved the encouragement and wisdom Clarkson provides, the helpful prayers, and the solid Scripture. I will highly recommend this book to my adult students, particularly mothers juggling families.

In her most recent book Sally Clarkson outlines various experiences in her life when she felt she was drowning. With personal experience and lessons from scripture she encourages the reader to look to Christ. This book is very readable and was definately a big encouragement.

My Thoughts:

The e-book I read is not the final product. It is an advanced reader copy. A hard thing about reviewing an advanced reader copy is I have no way of knowing if in the final product there has been changes. I can only review what I read. I am going to try and use only a few quotes because what if that quote has been later omitted?

I am a subscriber to Sally Clarkson’s newsletters. I am also a subscriber to her eldest daughter, Sarah Clarkson’s, newsletters. I follow both of them on Facebook. I have read two of Sarah’s books. One of them was reviewed this year. I am thankful NetGalley had Sally’s book available to read and review. I didn’t even have to request the book-it was ready to download.

When I began reading, Help, I’m Drowning, I felt maybe I was too old to read this book because I thought it was written for younger women. I wondered if I could benefit from the content? I hope this doesn’t come across as arrogant? I just thought maybe I was past some of the topics in the book. After all I am 57. I’ve been married 39 years. My children are raised and have families of their own. I learned while reading this book that there is a wealth of teachings to learn no matter the age of woman!

Several reason why I love Help, I’m Drowning:

1. Sally Clarkson is heartfelt and transparent about her life experiences. It’s as if she is sitting next to me, holding my hand, and sweetly mentoring me.
2. There is a reason for hard experiences in life. They are a “training ground” for God’s work in our lives. His goal is for our Spiritual maturity.
3. I love the chapter on loneliness. I have had times in life, and at different stages or ages, when I felt lonesome for a mature friend who I can identify with. Clarkson stated we must live with courage during those times when we feel lonely or isolated. Yet, we are to seek to cultivate friendships.
4. Clarkson explained hope is not just a feeling but is held fast to Scripture.
5. I am glad she shared so many life experiences especially the hard times as I can relate to some of them. In some of her stories I too identify.
6. “Don’t let circumstances determine your happiness.” This is so true. I believe this in my own life.
7. I love her statement: “all of us are different in some way. And all of us are flawed and imperfect as a result of being born in this world.” She stated this in the chapter on “Unexpected Challenges With Our Children.” We are to love our children. They are not perfect; as we are not perfect. The take-away principles in this section are beneficial.
8. In the chapter on “IRPs Will Happen.” This chapter talks about dealing with difficult people. These people are critical, fault-finding, etc. We are to give the problem to God. Let God handle the difficult people. We pray for them but God will handle them.
9. The chapter on marriage Clarkson said something that stands out as one of the most important teachings: “Marriage is more about pleasing God than us.” I love this!
10. At the end of each chapter there is “An Anchoring Prayer, An Anchoring Scripture, and An Anchoring Act” to work on.
11. This is a book filled with godly wisdom. It is a book to savor. It is a book to take apart and study individual chapters longer, or to pull out and journal certain teachings.

Format: E-book. Advanced reader copy.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review.
Audience: Christian women readers who want a helpful book about life issues.
Rating: Excellent.

Help, I’m Drowning feels like you are in a coffee shop with Sally Clarkson. She is candid and vulnerable in this book, offering encouragement to women. When you finish reading, you’ll leave feeling less alone in your struggles. Every book Sally Clarkson writes is a gift. I adored the anchoring prayers and verses at the end of each chapter!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sally Clarkson's books are always a breath of fresh air to the soul of the weary mother and Help, I'm Drowning is no exception.

The true blessing in her books to me is her ability to form a connection over the hard things that happen in life while offering real hope for a future, not without struggles but in spite of them. There are so many books that offer one or the other but the balance between the two is rare.

What a special treat to be able to sit and listen to her wisdom and be the younger woman of Titus 2 to her wise, motherly words.

If you are discouraged, lonely, sad, depressed, or lost, please read this book and remember there is always hope.

As a former home school mom I was familiar with Sally Clarkson, she was always encouraging to her fellow home schooling families. This book is different as her kids are grown but there are still struggles in the world. I appreciated her honestly and encouragement. Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC of this book. I'll be buying copies to share with others.

With her life's experiences and knowledge gained, Sally Clarkson once again delivers the encouragement, hope, and understanding to guide us in choosing to live righteously by faith through the storms we encounter. Her message to live intentionally helps us persevere through each storm with faith and hope as we purposefully choose to "exhibit courage" living joyfully, and graciously while bringing light, beauty, and encouragement to those who cross our paths, even during our storms.