I was really excited and hopeful for this book as I challenge myself to read more books that push and challenge me this year. But I didn't find myself loving the book as much as I hoped. It felt shallow at times - I wanted more depth or explanation and the examples didnt' seem fully hashed out always. Yet, I appreciated the brevity and short length (just 204 pages). The practical tips or applications at the end of each chapter were my favorite part of the book as these provided easy ways for the reader to go deeper into the idea on their own when I was wanting from the writing or material of the book itself. I didn't emotionally connect to the early 1/3 or so of the book that is more for individuals struggling to remain upbeat or positive but I'm hopeful those chapters can be really useful for others who experience more of those feelings than I do at this current moment. Overall, the book is worth a read but isn't one of my favorite books I've read this year. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of the book in exchange of an honest review.

If you've ever called a friend up feeling discouraged, hoping to go sit down with them for coffee and a pep talk, this book is that pep talk. Allyson ties in scripture and personal experience to provide tips and encouragement for maintaining light and hope in a dark world. The Biblical parts are written simply and are easy to understand even if you're not deeply familiar with scripture. Reading Arise and Shone will leave you feeling encouraged.

After a tough season of grief and loss of an unborn child, this book was a perfect representation of the light of the Lord. Though his ways are not ours, we can trust that he’s equipping us to walk through every battle we face, and that through our light we can bless others. There can be so much joy in the midst of grief, and so much to be thankful for. I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Arise and Shine
How to Be the Light That Ignites Hope in a Dark World
by Allyson Golden
Pub Date 20 Feb 2024
WaterBrook & Multnomah,WaterBrook
Christian


Arise and Shine has been sent to me by WaterBrook & Multonamah for review:



Whenever we feel overwhelmed by the darkness of the world, we wonder, Where is the light?



What can I do to be a light in this world?


Allyson Golden deals with the hardest realities of life and death every day. It was her dream to be a light for Christ in every patient's room, but she didn't know what that looked like when she couldn't even find the light herself.

Allyson began to understand the transformative truth that we have no power to shine on our own, but the Light of the World shines through us.


Allyson explores our deepest questions in Arise and Shine:

* Is it possible for Jesus to shine through me even when I doubt His presence?
* Does shining God’s light mean being cheerful all the time?
* Is it even possible to hold on to God's light?
*  Why is it so difficult to give God my burdens?
* Can the darkness ever be lifted?


Arise and Shine helps you renew your mind, recharge your spirit, and take a positive step forward, because nothing can dim your inner light.


I give Arise and Shine five out or five stars!


Happy Reading!

Allyson Golden has written a true gem of a book. As a pediatric nurse she sees both life and death every working day. She longed to bring the light of Christ into the room of every patient. She began to search the scriptures and found that the only light we have to shine comes from Christ. We are the vessels through which His light shines. The book answers the deep questions that believers have:
* Can Jesus shine through me even when I doubt His presence?
* Does shining God’s light mean being cheerful all the time?
* How can I hold on to God’s light—and is that even a thing?
* Why is it so hard to give my burdens to God?
* Is the darkness ever going to go away?
With real life anecdotes and testimonies this is a beautiful resource. At the end of each chapter are practical steps that we can take to helper us become light bearers for Christ.

Arise and Shine by author Allyson Golden is an encouraging Christian Living book. The author urges readers to become a beacon of light and hope in a world often overshadowed by darkness and pain. Rich with scripture and Christian insight, this is a thought provoking book.

The author has a pleasant style of writing. It is easy to understand and follow. Her book is part autobiography, telling her story, and part encouragement, explaining that who you are can light up a room and make others' lives better. This fresh approach is captivating.

Chapters are designed with questions for small group discussion or personal journaling. There is much to read and digest in this. It would make a great group study. The questions are profound and leave room for much discussion.

I highly recommend this book. It has stuck with me long after finishing it. A copy was provided by NetGalley, but these are my honest words.
#AriseandShine #NetGalley

I was excited to get an advance copy of "Arise and Shine" by Allyson Golden because I follow her on social media and like the quotes she posts on a regular basis - they usually resonate with me every time. I wasn't sure what to expect since I've never read anything written by her aside from 1-2 sentence quotes. I appreciated the real-life examples the author used and her quoting of scripture. That said, I felt the book read more like a chapter-by-chapter book report, and there were so many references and quotes from other notable authors that it felt like she was regurgitating their content. Don't get me wrong, she had several one-liners that were fantastic, and those are what she uses on her social media posts and what drew me into wanting to read her book in the first place. #NetGalley

Encouraging, hope-filled, and scripturally sound. This was a great book to read solo, but I think it would also be great to read with a group of friends. Each chapter has practical takeaways and gives the reader a lot to think about.

When the darkness of the world feels overwhelming, we wonder, Where can I find light?

And even more, How can I be the light?

Pediatric nurse Allyson Golden faces the hardest realities of life—and death—every day. She longed to be a light for Christ in every patient’s room, but she didn’t know what that looked like when she could hardly find that light herself.

As Allyson immersed herself in Scripture, she began to understand the transformative truth that we have no power to shine on our own, but the Light of the World shines through us—and no darkness can overcome it.

In Arise and Shine, Allyson explores our deepest questions:

• Can Jesus shine through me even when I doubt His presence?
• Does shining God’s light mean being cheerful all the time?
• How can I hold on to God’s light—and is that even a thing?
• Why is it so hard to give my burdens to God?
• Is the darkness ever going to go away?

With practical action steps at the end of every chapter, Arise and Shine helps you renew your mind, recharge your spirit, and take a positive step forward, because nothing can dim the light inside of

An autobiography and study of hope, courage, and comfort. Golden says that who you are can light up a room and make others' lives better. No matter what the circumstances, the light of Christ wants to shine through.

Golden has arranged the chapters with questions for small group discussion or personal journaling. In a world that seems dark and hopeless, this is an encouraging look - a new view - of life as it is and life as it can be. Recommended.