In Blessed Are the Spiraling, Levi Lusko employs personal stories and biblical wisdom to reassure his readers that life’s shifting seasons can be a place of building rather than breaking. When he reached middle age, he began to suffer from panic attacks. Questions about his significance and his future stormed through his mind and sent him spiraling.

The death of his daughter, combined with a grueling schedule of travel and ministry had taken their toll on his body and spirit. The pandemic completed the perfect storm, but Lusko’s spiraling anxiety sent him in the right direction of seeking new strategies for a new season.

He wisely points readers to the church as the natural context for navigating both our days of growth and success and our days of diminishing capacity. Somewhere along the way, Christians bought into a narrative of continual success, gleaming smiles, and answers to prayer that show up just in the nick of time. Lusko counters this fairy tale with bracing reality:

“Our only goal in life can’t be incremental improvement, for that is a losing battle. It is more about seeking to thrive in every season, whatever limitations we may have, and depending on God through all the transitions and crises.”

Blessed Are the Spiraling covers heavy topics with a light touch. I smiled when I encountered pop culture Easter eggs sprinkled throughout, and I really enjoyed Lusko’s fresh interpretation of familiar scriptural themes. I bookmarked his musical recommendations and checked them out on YouTube.

The truth we all need playing on repeat in our minds comes from God’s Word: Everyone will encounter transitions that knock us off balance. We prepare for them in advance by accepting the grace of each new season and then running faithfully, loving our people well, and keeping our eyes on eternal rewards.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book. I didn't know I needed to read the message it contained until I was actively in it. I easily thought of 5+ people I want to gift it to. Levi is both deep and practical and communicates with humility.

This book was very good!! Wow. I think it was written well and it was such a powerful book. I’m definitely going to be rereading this book a few times. There’s just so much information to soak in!

This book was just ok for me. I enjoyed his stories, but didn't see the connecting thread. The pop culture references got to be distracting.

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

I read this book at exactly the right time, and I can't stop thinking about it. This book will be encouraging for anyone in the midst of typical midlife angst or facing any kind of change/transition. It wasn't too heavy, even while dealing with heavy topics. I appreciate the author's honesty and outlook.

I picked up Blessed Are the Spiraling by Levi Lusko thinking it would be a good read—something to help me process stress and anxiety. But I wasn’t expecting it to hit so close to home.

While reading, a family member said something that triggered me. It wasn’t anything new, just the same patterns of dismissal and misunderstanding I’ve dealt with for years. But this time, instead of shaking it off, I felt myself spiraling—racing thoughts, emotions all over the place, falling into that familiar feeling of unworthiness.

That’s where Lusko’s words met me. He talks about how spiraling isn’t always a sign of failure—it’s often a sign that something deeper is surfacing, something God wants to heal. Blessed are the poor in spirit suddenly felt real to me. Maybe my moments of spiraling weren’t proof that I was weak, but that I was in a place where God could meet me in a new way.

In exchange for an honest review, Thomas Nelson has given me a free ARC of Levi Lusko’s “Blessed Are the Spiraling”. This is a powerful, timely book that speaks directly to the chaos and overwhelm so many of us experience. It’s not just a book about struggle—it’s about what to do in the middle of it. Lusko masterfully redirects our focus from our circumstances to our Creator, reminding us that even when life feels like it’s spiraling out of control, God is steady, present, and at work.

One of the most impactful parts of the book is Lusko’s reflection on the apostle Paul. Paul’s greatest treasure wasn’t anything the world could give him—it was Jesus. And as Lusko so beautifully puts it, “Death didn’t take him away from his treasure; it brought him to it.” That perspective shift is life-changing. When our eyes are on Jesus, even suffering, uncertainty, and loss lose their power to shake us.

Lusko also provides a simple yet profound visual that transformed my perspective—breathing. “Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Do you feel that? It’s His peace.” That moment of intentional stillness is more than just a breath—it’s God’s presence filling our lungs, grounding us in His unshakable peace.

This book could not have come at a better time. Lusko’s personal stories, deep biblical truths, and raw honesty make it a must-read. Whether you’re in the middle of a storm or just trying to keep your footing in everyday life, Blessed Are the Spiraling is a reminder that God is right there, holding you fast. It’s out tomorrow, April 1st—I can’t recommend it enough!

This book is a great resource for those experiencing mid life crisis like issues or if you have gone through any traumatic or difficult time.

Levi uses scripture, personal testimony and applicable life examples to help guide the user through these trying times. Nice, easy read and definitely one you should pick up.

Great topic, with a lot of solid biblical backing to it, which I appreciate. I didn't feel like there was anything in particular that really stood out about this one that would lead me to rave review to a friend. I think for someone in the right season of life, this could be a lifeline.

Lusko's latest is useful for those who may be feeling overwhelmed or anxious. The book contains a lot of biblical truths, as well as some humor, which I hadn't expected. If you are looking for a quick fix, this book may not be for you. However, it does point the reader to the hope that can only be found in Jesus, and that never changes, no matter what chaos may be going on around you. Personal stories are included to make the book a bit more relatable. This book could be a comfort to those who feel like they're trying to navigate the storms of life on their own.

I received a complimentary copy of Blessed are the Spiraling and this review is my own.

Lusko is amazing again! I was gripped by his vulnerability and how even in the hard times in life, Jesus is there and it's so encouraging to read this book.

Levi Lusko has never been one to shy away from the hard stuff, and Blessed Are the Spiraling is a testament to that. This book is raw, unfiltered, and full of hard-won wisdom for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by life’s chaos. Lusko writes with his signature blend of humor, depth, and biblical truth, offering both comfort and challenge for those navigating anxiety, uncertainty, or seasons of struggle.

What I love most about this book is its honesty. It doesn’t offer shallow platitudes or quick fixes but instead points to the hope found in Jesus—even when life feels completely out of control. If you’ve ever felt like you’re barely holding it together, this book will remind you that you’re not alone and that even in the spiraling, God is present, working, and leading you toward something greater. An essential read for anyone walking through tough seasons.

One of the things I have always appreciated about Levi Lusko's books is that is well-read and has a great way of pulling in interesting stories and facts in a powerful way. Blessed Are the Spiraling is not exception, and when that is coupled with Lusko's own personal, vulnerable, at times gut-wrenching stories, it can be a powerful one-two punch.

Lusko shares not just one story but several incidents where life felt as if it were careening—spiraling—toward chaos. And, yet, somehow, there is beauty and grace to be found within the spiral. The book is divided into two parts, which explain (1) how to find your bearings in the midst of the chaotic season and (2) how to move forward living in your God-given identity. At one point, Lusko writes, "I dare you to view your challenges as opportunities to trust God in new ways. To believe that your hard times are not there to destroy you but to deepen you. And if you do—and you keep on doing it for years—you will become a deep well for others." This, I believe, is the main thesis of Blessed Are the Spiraling. We often seek how to get out of a chaotic season; Lusko challenges us to seek what God wants us to learn out of the chaotic season.

Again, throughout, Lusko turns to biblical examples who persevered through the spiral and found blessing from God, but I felt Levi's own stories of struggling with sin, anxiety, the loss of a daughter, the loss of a father, and so much more, really brought a powerful personal touch to his points. If you find yourself disoriented by this season of life, questioning whether you need to just suck it up, quit, or for a way to press ahead, this is an excellent read for you.

I received an advanced readers' copy from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Books in exchange for my honest review.