Everyone has pain at some point or another in their life. For some, suffering is just a season. It comes and it goes. But for others, pain is a way of life, something they live with every day. We all grow weary, weak and tired. This world is not our home and there are hardships that batter the hulls of our ships until we are sinking, taking on more water from the storm than we can handle. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s book Come Empty is precisely the life boat needed to help us weather the storms of life. She invites us to pour out life’s hurts and receive God’s healing love. I found this renewal on page after page of this beautiful book. 

If your problems are related relationships, emotions, illness or some other type of hardship, this book can help guide you toward the healing and renewing power of Jesus Christ. It is divided up into an 80-day journey through all kinds of topics: Relationship with God, Relationships with Others, Negative Emotions, Identity, Change, Illness, Positive Emotions and finally, Gratitude. To read through this book truly is a journey, a beautiful journey written to draw out areas of our lives that need strength, healing and renewal.

One can read this book in any number of ways: day by day, as guided on each page; By topic, as it relates to your life; or as a discussion guide for a close group of friends. Each day contains a paragraph from the author about something that has happened in her life, something relatable to us all. This first section is called “Your Heart’s Cry.” It is then followed by “His Response,” or what God has to say to your heart’s cry. There is additional Scripture reading followed by “Going Deeper Questions.” These questions are probing, heart-felt and designed to help you dig deeper into your own soul. These would be great discussion questions in a small group or used as journaling prompts in your personal quiet time. The day closes with a simple prayer. I love the simple prayers that accompany each day. In fact, many times I wrote them out on notecards and kept them in my purse or in my Bible.

This is a beautiful book that is relevant to women of all ages and in all different stages of life. It is not written to any specific demographic which makes it universally helpful to all. As the back cover promotes, “Each devotion gives new vision and perspective when you’re hindered by emotional blind spots, and leads you to experience God’s peace and wholeness.” I could certainly feel God’s peace and wholeness while on my journey through this book. And if that is something your heart is crying out for, I hope this book will lead you in the same way! You can purchase it here on Amazon. 

Saundra Dalton-Smith is having a challenge/giveaway on her blog. Click the picture below to find out more about it and to enter to win an Overflowing Heart Care Package. One grand prize winner will receive: **Enter on her blog, not here on mine.**

• A lovely Fashion & Compassion Faith necklace
• $50 Visa gift card for a spa service of her choice (or to use as she pleases)
• Collection of Adagio herbal teas to sip on those cold days
• Online access to Priscilla Shirer’s Live Simulcast on April 23, 2016
• A beautiful decorative wall print

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*